Mass Gathering (Hajj) Pharmacy Infection Control: New Initiative in Saudi Arabia

Objectives: To demonstrate the pharmacy infection control services during the mass gathering Hajj period as new initiatives in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: It is a new initiative project drove by national mass gathering pharmaceutical programs. The projects drove the mass gathering medicine guidelines and the international business model, pharmacy project guidelines project management institution guidelines of a new project. The initiative project is written through project management professionals and consisted of several parts, including the initial phase, the planning phase, the execution phase and the monitoring and controlling phase. Results: The mass gathering pharmacy infection control services with a defined vision, mission and goals. The services had various aids, including clinical and economical on pilgrims, as illustrated in the assessment. The continuation was of the project assured by the risk management model description. Besides, the monitoring and controlling of the services as declared. The transition to operation project, though closing the project stage, explored in the analysis. Conclusion: The mass gathering pharmacy infection control services are a new initiative, part of the mass gathering medicine. There are various pharmacy transition care services can be started during the mass gathering with an emphasis on pharmacy personnel, infection control; it is highly suggested to implement in Saudi Arabia.

National Mass Gathering Pharmaceutical Care Program at Healthcare Institution in Saudi Arabia

Objective: To explore the pharmaceutical care services during mass gathering (MG) Hajj at the healthcare organizations in Saudi Arabia (SA). Methods: It is a descriptive analysis of a newly established program at the MOH in SA called MG pharmaceutical care program during Hajj and Umra Seasons, which was analyzed within the Pharmacy Strategic Plan 2012-2020 and update the plan with new Saudi vision 2030. Results: MG pharmaceutical care program is a new program established by the healthcare organizations in the last four years, which amongst to provide pharmaceutical care services in various fields. Conclusion: The mass gathering of pharmaceutical care services is a new initiative, part of the mass gathering medicine. The program should expand after the foundation stage with performance indication monitoring and follow up. Further assessment of the new project is required to validate the clinical and economic outcomes to research the high level of quality and professionalism in the future.

unusual radiological presentation of optic nerve sheath meningioma

Our report describes an unusual radiological presentation of optic nerve sheath meningioma. The classic radiological appearance of optic nerve thickening with enhancement and calcification within the tumor was not seen; instead, an elongating gadolinium enhancing band-like area adjacent to the superomedial aspect of the left optic nerve sheath was identified. The diagnosis was confirmed on histopathology. Our report adds to the spectrum of presentations of this relatively common clinical entity

Propriedades farmacológicas da Aloe vera (L. ) Burm. f / Pharmacological activities of Aloe vera (L. ) Burm. f

A Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. tem sido utilizada há milhares de anos na medicina tradicional para o tratamento de diversos males. O intuito desse trabalho foi o levantamento bibliográfico de artigos que evidenciassem a atividade farmacológica da Aloe vera. A revisão contemplou livros e periódicos nacionais e internacionais indexados nas bases de dados MEDLINE, LILACS e SciElo, nos idiomas português, inglês e espanhol, utilizando as palavras-chave citadas. Após o levantamento bibliográfico, constatou-se que várias atividades biológicas são atribuídas a Aloe vera. Evidências sugerem eficácia no tratamento da psoríase, herpes genital, queimaduras e hiperglicemia. Além disto, também foram demonstradas atividades antineoplásica, antimicrobiana, anti-inflamatória e imunomodulatória por estudos in vitro e in vivo, entretanto, na cicatrização de feridas, os resultados foram conflitantes. No tratamento de dermatite por radiação e em queimaduras solares sua eficácia não foi comprovada e foram relatados casos de hepatite aguda devido ao consumo de preparações orais. Tendo em vista as várias atividades comprovadas e poucos relatos acerca de sua contra indicação, conclui-se que o uso desta espécie corrobora o vasto uso popular.

The Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine to treat various ailments. The aim of this study was to carry out a bibliographical review on the pharmacological activity of Aloe vera. This review included books and national and international journals indexed to MEDLINE, LILACS and SciELO, in Portuguese, English and Spanish, using the key words mentioned. After the literature review, we found that several biological activities have been attributed to Aloe vera. Evidence suggests efficacy in the treatment of psoriasis, genital herpes, burns and hyperglycemia. Moreover, antineoplastic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities have also been demonstrated by in vitro and in vivo studies; however, in wound healing, the results were conflicting. In the treatment of radiation dermatitis and sunburn, its efficacy has not been proven, and cases of acute hepatitis from the consumption of oral preparations have been reported. Considering the various proven activities and the few reports about the contraindications of Aloe vera, we conclude that the use of this species confirms its wide popular usage.

Gastric-resistant isoniazid pellets reduced degradation of rifampicin in acidic medium

Isoniazid and rifampicin are considered the first-line medication for preventing and treating tuberculosis. Rifampicin is degraded in the stomach acidic environment, especially when combined with isoniazid, factor contributing to treatment failure. In this study, gastric-resistant isoniazid pellets were obtained to physical contact of this drug with rifampicin and to bypass the stomach´s acidic environment. The pellets were fabricated using the extrusion-spheronization technique. The coating process was conducted in a fluid spray coater using Acrycoat L 100(r) solution as the coating agent. The pellets obtained were submitted to a dissolution test in HCl 0.1 N and phosphate buffer media. The results indicated that optimum gastric-resistance was only attained with the highest amount of coating material, with isoniazid almost fully released in phosphate buffer. The amount of rifampicin released from its mixture with non-coated isoniazid pellets in HCl 0.1 N was less than that released from its mixture with the enteric-coated pellets. Acrycoat L 100(r) was shown to be an effective enteric/gastric-resistant coating since the stability of rifampicin appeared to be enhanced when physical contact of this drug with isoniazid was prevented at low pH.

Isoniazida e rifampicina são fármacos de primeira escolha para a prevenção e tratamento da tuberculose. A rifampicina degrada-se em condições ácidas do estômago, principalmente na presença da isoniazida, o que contribui para a falha do tratamento. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo a obtenção de péletes de isoniazida gastrorresistentes, visando a evitar contato da rifampicina com isoniazida e consequente degradação no meio ácido estomacal. Os péletes foram produzidos pela técnica de extrusão-esferonização. O processo de revestimento foi conduzido em leito fluidizado com solução orgânica de Acrycoat L 100(r). Os péletes obtidos foram submetidos ao teste de dissolução em HCl 0,1 N e tampão fosfato. Os resultados indicam que a gastrorresistência foi obtida somente com a maior quantidade de revestimento, sendo a isoniazida liberada completamente no meio tampão fosfato. A quantidade de rifampicina dissolvida em meio ácido, quando associada a péletes de isoniazida não revestidos, foi menor do que a observada na presença de péletes de liberação entérica. O polímero Acrycoat L 100(r) mostrou-se eficiente para o recobrimento com a função de gastrorresistência, indicando que a instabilidade da rifampicina pode ser reduzida nas associações com a isoniazida através do revestimento entérico da isoniazida.

Evaluation of a preservative system in a gel containing hydroalcoholic extract of Schinus terebinthifolius

Currently, microbial contamination is one of the major problems faced by the phytomedicine industry with respect to the quality of the raw materials. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a preservative system in a formulation with hydrogel containing hydroalcoholic extract of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, Anacardiaceae ("aroeira" or "Brazilian Peppertree"), through the challenge test. The extracts were prepared by maceration at a ratio of 1:10 plant/solvent in 40 percent alcohol. Gel samples were artificially contaminated with separate inocula of Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the number of viable microorganisms determined in triplicate by the "pour plate" method for counting colonies at 0, 24 and 48h, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. The addition of the preservatives (methyl and propylparaben) in the "aroeira" gel proved to be effective against the studied species when the samples were evaluated using the challenge test. According to the criterion A of the European Pharmacopoeia, it was verified that the hydrogel product showed good conservation in a 28 days period.

Site properties for Crimean juniper (Juniperus excelsa) in semi-natural forests of south western Anatolia, Turkey.

We explored the semi-natural forests in south western Anatolia along a gradient between Mediterranean and continental climates to determine the site requirements of Juniperus excelsa in Turkey. We hypothesized that environmental variables and indicator species can be used to predict differences in occurrence and cover of J. excelsa and can therefore support decision making in reforestation management planning. Plant species composition and environmental variables were assessed in 153 plots. Association between J. excelsa and other plant species and environmental variables were analyzed using Fisher exact probability tests and stepwise discriminant analysis. High altitude (> 1000 m) as a proxy for an Oromediterranean climate, and high surface stoniness as a proxy for low competition by other tree species, are positive site properties for J. excelsa. The tree species avoids Eumediterranean and Supramediterranean plant communities. Twelve plant species, including the herbs Dianthus zonatus, Ajuga chamaepitys and Paronchia carica and the shrub Cotoneaster nummularia may be used as site indicators for J. excelsa restoration. Platanus orientalis, with similar site requirements but at present negatively associated to J. excelsa due to competitive effects, may be considered an additional indicator if stand conversion (harvesting and replacing P. orientalis) is part of the management plan.

Mites ( Acari ) of rubber trees ( Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg., Euphorbiaceae ) in Piracicaba, state of São Paulo, Brazil

Foram determinadas as principais espécies de ácaros que ocorrem em seringueira (clone RRIM-600) em Piracicaba, SP, de junho de 2002 a maio de 2003 e avaliadas as relações entre elas. O estudo foi realizado numa plantação de 5 ha com arvores de 11 anos de idade e 15 m de altura, circundada de cultivos de milheto, algodão, milho ou feijão. As amostras foram coletadas mensalmente e consistiram de cinco folíolos, cinco pecíolos (a partir de outubro de 2002) e cinco extremidades de ramos (10 cm de comprimento) de 15 seringueiras. Todos os ácaros de um dos cinco folíolos, pecíolos e ramos de cada árvore foram montados para identificação até gênero/espécie para estimar a ocorrência proporcional de cada espécie. Foram encontrados 84.850 ácaros pertencentes a 38 espécies de 34 gêneros e 16 famílias. Tydeidae foi a família com maior número de espécies (11), seguida por Phytoseiidae e Stigmaeidae (4 cada). As famílias mais abundantes foram Eriophyidae, Tenuipalpidae e Tydeidae (totais de 43.023, 26.390 e 13.644 indivíduos, respectivamente). Os maiores níveis populacionais dos ácaros-praga Calacarus heveae Feres e Tenuipalpus heveae Baker ocorreram no final da estação chuvosa. Os predadores mais abundantes foram Metaseiulus camelliae (Chant & Yoshida-Shaul), Amblyseius compositus Denmark & Muma e Euseius citrifolius Denmark & Muma. Os predadores não conseguiram evitar o aumento populacional de C. heveae e T. heveae a partir de março. No entanto, a presença daqueles predadores pode ter evitado o surgimento mais precoce e níveis ainda maiores daqueles ácaros-praga.

Considerações sobre a Síndrome do Túnel do Carpo com ênfase no tratamento / Considerations about Carpal tunnel syndrome with emphasis on treatment

A síndrome do túner do carpo (STC) é uma neuropatia periférica cinco vezes mais freqüente no sexo feminino, causada pela compressão do nervo mediano na altura do punho. O sintoma marcante dessa síndrome é a parestesia matinal no território sensitivo deste nervo. O diagnóstico é basicamente clínico. Exames úteis para diagnóstico diferencial são a eletroneuromiografia e a RNM. O tratamento de escolha inicial deve ser conservador. Para os casos refratários está indicada a liberação cirúrgica do nervo mediano através da incisão do ligamento transverso do carpo, seja por via aberta ou endoscópica. É importante que o médico explique ao paciente as possíveis causas de tal patologia, pois a abstinência de atividades agravantes é fundamental para a cura definitiva