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Increasing evidences demonstrate the role of sensory innervation in bone metabolism, remodeling and repair, however neurovascular coupling in bone is rarely studied. Using microfluidic devices as an indirect co-culture model to mimic in vitro the physiological scenario of innervation, our group demonstrated that sensory neurons (SNs) were able to regulate the extracellular matrix remodeling by endothelial cells (ECs), in particular through sensory neuropeptides, i.e. calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP). Nonetheless, still little is known about the cell signaling pathways and mechanism of action in neurovascular coupling. Here, in order to characterize the communication between SNs and ECs at molecular level, we evaluated the effect of SNs and the neuropeptides CGRP and SP on ECs. We focused on different pathways known to play a role on endothelial functions: calcium signaling, p38 and Erk1/2; the control of signal propagation through Cx43; and endothelial functions through the production of nitric oxide (NO). The effect of SNs was evaluated on ECs Ca2+ influx, the expression of Cx43, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and nitric oxide (NO) production, p38, ERK1/2 as well as their phosphorylated forms. In addition, the role of CGRP and SP were either analyzed using respective antagonists in the co-culture model, or by adding directly on the ECs monocultures. We show that capsaicin-stimulated SNs induce increased Ca2+ influx in ECs. SNs stimulate the increase of NO production in ECs, probably involving a decrease in the inhibitory eNOS T495 phosphorylation site. The neuropeptide CGRP, produced by SNs, seems to be one of the mediators of this effect in ECs since NO production is decreased in the presence of CGRP antagonist in the co-culture of ECs and SNs, and increased when ECs are stimulated with synthetic CGRP. Taken together, our results suggest that SNs play an important role in the control of the endothelial cell functions through CGRP production and NO signaling pathway.
Subject(s)
Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide , Endothelial Cells , Nitric Oxide , Sensory Receptor Cells , Signal Transduction , Substance P , Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide/metabolism , Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide/pharmacology , Substance P/pharmacology , Substance P/metabolism , Signal Transduction/physiology , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Endothelial Cells/drug effects , Endothelial Cells/metabolism , Sensory Receptor Cells/drug effects , Sensory Receptor Cells/metabolism , Animals , Nitric Oxide/metabolism , Coculture Techniques , Cell Communication/physiology , Cell Communication/drug effects , Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III/metabolism , Cells, Cultured , Humans , RatsABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The revised international standards for neurological classification of spinal cord injury (ISNCSCI) have facilitated the documentation of non-spinal cord injury-related impairments, such as chronic peripheral nerve injuries and muscle weakness due to immobility. This advancement addresses potential biases in muscle strength examinations. Utilizing electrically evoked contractions from paralyzed muscles, enhanced by electrodiagnosis, holds promise in identifying false-negative diagnoses of non-responsiveness to neuromuscular electrical stimulation. This concept prompts the exploration of polyneuromyopathy arising from nonuse in paralyzed muscles. CASE SERIES PRESENTATION: To substantiate our hypothesis, we recruited nine participants for a case series aimed at elucidating the potential benefits of incorporating the stimulus electrodiagnostic test (SET) to mitigate non-responsiveness during preparation for functional electrical stimulation (FES)-assisted cycling. In our convenience sample (n = 5), we conducted neurological mapping based on ISNCSCI and applied SET on the quadriceps. The SET guided optimal dosimetry for evoking contractions and revealed responses similar to those observed in peripheral neuropathies, with α coefficients equal to or lower than 2.00. This observation is likely attributable to nonuse of paralyzed muscles, indicative of an ongoing polyneuropathy in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). DISCUSSION: Among the nine initially recruited subjects, seven exhibited responsiveness to neuromuscular electrical stimulation (78% responsiveness), with two participants excluded based on exclusion criteria. In the final five reported cases, all displayed α coefficient values indicating impaired neuromuscular accommodation, and one presented no α coefficient within the normal range. The inclusion of electrodiagnosis appears effective in averting non-responsiveness, suggesting the presence of ongoing polyneuropathies in paralyzed muscles.
Subject(s)
Electrodiagnosis , Humans , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Adult , Polyneuropathies/diagnosis , Electric Stimulation , Spinal Cord Injuries/diagnosis , Spinal Cord Injuries/rehabilitation , Spinal Cord Injuries/complications , Electromyography , Muscle Contraction/physiology , Muscle Weakness/diagnosis , Aged , Muscle, SkeletalABSTRACT
Human alphaherpesvirus 1 (HSV-1) is a significantly widespread viral pathogen causing recurrent infections that are currently incurable despite available treatment protocols. Studies have highlighted the potential of antimicrobial peptides sourced from Vespula lewisii venom, particularly those belonging to the mastoparan family, as effective against HSV-1. This study aimed to demonstrate the antiviral properties of mastoparans, including mastoparan-L [I5, R8], mastoparan-MO, and [I5, R8] mastoparan, against HSV-1. Initially, Vero cell viability was assessed in the presence of these peptides, followed by the determination of antiviral activity, mechanism of action, and dose-response curves through plaque assays. Structural analyses via circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance were conducted, along with evaluating membrane fluidity changes induced by [I5, R8] mastoparan using fluorescence-labeled lipid vesicles. Cytotoxic assays revealed high cell viability (>80%) at concentrations of 200 µg/mL for mastoparan-L and mastoparan-MO and 50 µg/mL for [I5, R8] mastoparan. Mastoparan-MO and [I5, R8] mastoparan exhibited over 80% HSV-1 inhibition, with up to 99% viral replication inhibition, particularly in the early infection stages. Structural analysis indicated an α-helical structure for [I5, R8] mastoparan, suggesting effective viral particle disruption before cell attachment. Mastoparans present promising prospects for HSV-1 infection control, although further investigation into their mechanisms is warranted.
Subject(s)
Antiviral Agents , Herpesvirus 1, Human , Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins , Peptides , Wasp Venoms , Herpesvirus 1, Human/drug effects , Herpesvirus 1, Human/physiology , Antiviral Agents/pharmacology , Antiviral Agents/chemistry , Animals , Vero Cells , Chlorocebus aethiops , Peptides/pharmacology , Peptides/chemistry , Wasp Venoms/pharmacology , Wasp Venoms/chemistry , Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/pharmacology , Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/chemistry , Cell Survival/drug effects , Humans , Virus Replication/drug effectsABSTRACT
Prioritizing watershed management interventions relies on delineating homogeneous precipitation regions. In this study, we identify these regions in the Brazilian Legal Amazon based on the magnitude of Sen's Slope trends using annual precipitation data from September to August, employing the Google Earth Engine platform. Utilizing the silhouette method, we determine four distinct clusters representing zones of homogeneous precipitation patterns. Cluster 0 exhibits a significant median increase in precipitation of 3.20 mm year-1 over the period from 1981 to 2020. Cluster 1 shows a notable increase of 8.13 mm year-1, while Clusters 2 and 3 demonstrate reductions in precipitation of - 1.61 mm year-1 and - 3.87 mm year-1, respectively, all statistically significant. Notably, the region known as the arc of deforestation falls within Cluster 2, indicating a concerning trend of reduced precipitation. Additionally, our analysis reveals significant correlations between Sea Surface Temperature (SST) in various oceanic regions and precipitation patterns over the Brazilian Legal Amazon. Particularly noteworthy is the strong positive correlation with SST in the South Atlantic, while negative correlations are observed with SST in the South Pacific and North Atlantic. These findings provide valuable insights for enhancing climate adaptation strategies in the Brazilian Legal Amazon region.
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We introduce a novel and straightforward methodology for photoredox arylation of an indole scaffold using aryldiazonium salts under mild and metal-free conditions. Our approach enables the regioselective and chemoselective introduction of several aryl groups to the C(2) position of indoles and tryptophan, even in competition with other amino acids. This approach extends to the late-stage functionalization of peptides and lysozyme, heralding the unprecedented arylation of tryptophan residues in wild-type proteins and offering broad utility in chemical biology.
Subject(s)
Indoles , Oxidation-Reduction , Tryptophan , Tryptophan/chemistry , Indoles/chemistry , Molecular Structure , Photochemical Processes , Muramidase/chemistry , Peptides/chemistry , Stereoisomerism , CatalysisABSTRACT
Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) pose a pervasive concern among nursing professionals due to the high physical workload. Simultaneously, the complex relationship between MSDs and mental health outcomes in this population remains an area of significant interest and importance. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of MSDs and their relationships with burnout and psychological suffering within the nursing workforce. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020 involving 291 nursing professionals in Brazil. Standardized questionnaires were employed to gather information on MSDs, mental health outcomes, and pertinent work-related factors. Robust statistical analyses were conducted to ascertain the prevalence of MSDs, establish associations between MSDs and mental health outcomes, and delineate the influence of work-related factors on these associations. Statistical analysis was performed using the R software. Results: The study revealed a significant prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) among nursing workers, focusing on regions that include the lower back, upper back, neck, and shoulders. Individuals with MSIs in the lower back showed a marked increase in emotional exhaustion (p = 0.02), as did those with MSIs in the upper back (p <0.01) and depersonalization (p = 0.07). On the other hand, nursing professionals who reported MSIs in the neck and shoulders had considerably higher scores in emotional exhaustion (p <0.01 and p = 0.01, respectively) and depersonalization (p = 0.05 and p = 0.05, respectively). However, no significant correlations emerged between MSIs and depression or work-related factors. Conclusions: This study highlights the urgency of implementing proactive measures to prevent and manage MSDs within the nursing profession. Moreover, it emphasizes the critical need to enhance working conditions and provide robust support mechanisms to safeguard the mental health of nursing professionals.Open AccessOpen Access.
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Cocaine and antidepressants rank high globally in substance consumption, emphasizing their impact on public health. The determination of these compounds and related substances in biological samples is crucial for forensic toxicology. This study focused on developing an innovative analytical method for the determination of cocaine, antidepressants, and their related metabolites in postmortem blood samples, using unmodified commercial Fe3O4 nanoparticles as a sorbent for dispersive magnetic solid-phase extraction (m-d-SPE), coupled with liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. An aliquot of 100 µL of whole blood and 5 µL of the internal standard pool were added to 30 mg of nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were separated from the sample using a neodymium magnet inserted into a 3D-printed microtube rack. The liquid was then discarded, followed by desorption with 300 µL of 1/1/1 acetonitrile/methanol/ethyl acetate. The sample was vortexed and separated, and 1.5 µL of the organic supernatant was injected into the LC-MS/MS. The method was acceptably validated and successfully applied to 263 postmortem blood samples. All samples evaluated in this study were positive for at least one substance. The most frequent analyte was benzoylecgonine, followed by cocaine and cocaethylene. The most common antidepressants encountered in the analyzed samples were citalopram and fluoxetine, followed by fluoxetine's metabolite norfluoxetine. This study describes the first report of this sorbent in postmortem blood analysis, demonstrating satisfactory results for linearity, precision, accuracy, and selectivity for all compounds. The method's applicability was confirmed, establishing it as an efficient and sustainable alternative to traditional techniques for forensic casework.
Subject(s)
Antidepressive Agents , Cocaine , Forensic Toxicology , Magnetite Nanoparticles , Solid Phase Extraction , Tandem Mass Spectrometry , Humans , Cocaine/blood , Cocaine/analogs & derivatives , Antidepressive Agents/blood , Tandem Mass Spectrometry/methods , Forensic Toxicology/methods , Solid Phase Extraction/methods , Magnetite Nanoparticles/chemistry , Chromatography, Liquid/methods , Limit of Detection , Substance Abuse Detection/methods , Male , Female , AdultSubject(s)
Dermoscopy , Humans , Male , Gout/pathology , Gout/diagnostic imaging , Middle Aged , Ear Auricle/pathologyABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a rare disease with a complex and not fully understood pathogenesis. Prognostic factors that might influence treatment response, relapse rates, and transplant-free survival are not well established. This study investigates clinical and biochemical markers associated with response to immunosuppression in patients with AIH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 102 patients with AIH treated with immunosuppressants and followed at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil, from 1990 to 2018. Pretreatment data such as clinical profiles, laboratory, and histological exams were analyzed regarding biochemical response at one year, histological remission, relapse, and death/transplantation rates. RESULTS: Cirrhosis was present in 59 % of cases at diagnosis. One-year biochemical remission was observed in 55.7 % of the patients and was found to be a protective factor for liver transplant. Overall survival was 89 %. Patients with ascites at disease onset showed a higher aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/ alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio and elevated Model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score. The presence of ascites was significantly associated with a 20-fold increase in mortality rate. CONCLUSIONS: AIH has a severe clinical phenotype in Brazilians, with high rates of cirrhosis and low remission rates. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for achieving remission and reducing complications. The presence of ascites is significantly associated with mortality, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and prompt intervention. This study also stresses the need for further research on AIH in Latin America.
Subject(s)
Hepatitis, Autoimmune , Immunosuppressive Agents , Humans , Hepatitis, Autoimmune/drug therapy , Hepatitis, Autoimmune/blood , Hepatitis, Autoimmune/mortality , Hepatitis, Autoimmune/pathology , Male , Female , Retrospective Studies , Adult , Middle Aged , Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use , Prognosis , Brazil/epidemiology , Treatment Outcome , Liver Transplantation , Liver Cirrhosis/mortality , Recurrence , Aspartate Aminotransferases/blood , Alanine Transaminase/blood , Remission Induction , Biomarkers/blood , Young Adult , Ascites/etiology , AgedABSTRACT
Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) play a crucial role in both bridging to transplantation and serving as destination therapy for congestive heart failure (CHF) management. This study aims to address the limitations of existing control strategies for VADs, specifically their inability to adapt automatically to hemodynamic changes. It proposes a novel embedded cyber-physical system (CPS) based on real-time data processing, reconfigurable architecture, and communication protocols aligned with Health 4.0 concepts to enhance physiological control over VADs (PC-VAD). The research employs a multi-objective PC-VAD approach within a hybrid cardiovascular simulator. An embedded CPS is introduced to overcome challenges related to differences in controller characteristics between computers and embedded systems. The study assesses the performance of the embedded CPS by comparing it with a computer-based control system. The embedded CPS demonstrates outcomes comparable to the computer-based control system, maintaining mean arterial pressure and cardiac output at physiological levels. Even in the face of variations in ejection fraction, the embedded CPS dynamically adjusts the pump's rotational speed based on simulated clinical conditions. Notably, there is no aortic reflux to the ventricle through the VAD during testing. These findings affirm the satisfactory control performance of the embedded CPS in regulating VADs. The study concludes that the embedded CPS effectively addresses the limitations of current VAD control strategies, exhibiting control performance comparable to computer-based systems. However, further experimentation and in vivo studies are necessary to validate and ensure its applicability in real-world scenarios.
Subject(s)
Heart-Assist Devices , Heart FailureABSTRACT
Driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC) is increasing worldwide, and cannabis is the most prevalent drug after alcohol in impaired driving cases, emphasizing the need for a reliable traffic enforcement strategy. ∆9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) detection in oral fluid has great potential for identifying recent cannabis use; however, additional data are needed on the sensitivities, specificities, and efficiencies of different oral fluid devices for detecting cannabinoids at the roadside by police during routine traffic safety enforcement efforts. At the roadside, 8945 oral fluid THC screening tests were performed with four devices: AquilaScan®, Dräger DrugTest®, WipeAlyser Reader®, and Druglizer®. A total of 530 samples screened positive for THC (5.9%) and were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry at multiple cutoff concentrations (2 ng/mL, 10 ng/mL, and manufacturers' recommended device cutoffs) to investigate device performance. Results varied substantially, with sensitivities of 0%-96.8%, specificities of 89.8%-98.5%, and efficiencies of 84.3%-97.8%. The Dräger DrugTest® outperformed the other devices with a 96.8% sensitivity, 97.1% specificity, and 97.0% efficiency at a 5-ng/mL LC-MS/MS confirmation cutoff. The WipeAlyser Reader® had good performance with a 91.4% sensitivity, 97.2% specificity, and 96.4% efficiency. AquilaScan® and Druglizer® had unacceptable performance for cannabinoid detection, highlighted by sensitivity <13%. The choice of roadside oral fluid testing device must offer good analytical performance for cannabinoids because of its high prevalence of use and impact on road safety.
ABSTRACT
Urine toxicological analysis is a relevant tool in both clinical and forensic scenarios, enabling the diagnosis of acute poisonings, elucidation of deaths, verification of substance use in the workplace and identification of drug-facilitated crimes. For these analyses, the dilute-and-shoot technique associated with liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) is a promising alternative since it has demonstrated satisfactory results and broad applicability. This study developed and validated a comprehensive LC-MS-MS screening method to analyze 95 illicit drugs and medicines in urine samples and application to clinical and forensic Brazilian cases. The dilute-and-shoot protocol was defined through multivariate optimization studies and was set using 100 µL of sample and 300 µL of solvent. The total chromatographic run time was 7.5 min. The method was validated following the recommendations of the ANSI/ASB Standard 036 Guideline. The lower limits of quantification varied from 20 to 100 ng/mL. Within-run and between-run precision coefficient of variations% were <20%, and bias was within ± 20%. Only 4 of the 95 analytes presented significant ionization suppression or enhancement (>25%). As proof of applicability, 839 urine samples from in vivo and postmortem cases were analyzed. In total, 90.9% of the analyzed samples were positive for at least one substance, and 78 of the 95 analytes were detected. The most prevalent substances were lidocaine (40.2%), acetaminophen (38.0%) and benzoylecgonine (31.5%). The developed method proved to be an efficient and simplified alternative for analyzing 95 therapeutic and illicit drugs in urine samples. Additionally, the results obtained from sample analysis are essential for understanding the profile of Brazilian substance use, serving as a valuable database for the promotion of health and safety public policies.
Subject(s)
Forensic Toxicology , Illicit Drugs , Substance Abuse Detection , Tandem Mass Spectrometry , Humans , Illicit Drugs/urine , Brazil , Substance Abuse Detection/methods , Chromatography, Liquid , Forensic Toxicology/methods , Reproducibility of Results , Limit of Detection , Liquid Chromatography-Mass SpectrometryABSTRACT
Mass spectrometry (MS) is a powerful analytical technique that plays a central role in modern protein analysis and the study of proteostasis. In the field of advanced molecular technologies, MS-based proteomics has become a cornerstone that is making a significant impact in the post-genomic era and as precision medicine moves from the research laboratory to clinical practice. The global dissemination of COVID-19 has spurred collective efforts to develop effective diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutic interventions. This chapter highlights how MS seamlessly integrates with established methods such as RT-PCR and ELISA to improve viral identification and disease progression assessment. In particular, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) takes the center stage, unraveling intricate details of SARS-CoV-2 proteins, revealing modifications such as glycosylation, and providing insights critical to formulating therapies and assessing prognosis. However, high-throughput analysis of MALDI data presents challenges in manual interpretation, which has driven the development of programmatic pipelines and specialized packages such as MALDIquant. As we move forward, it becomes clear that integrating proteomic data with various omic findings is an effective strategy to gain a comprehensive understanding of the intricate biology of COVID-19 and ultimately develop targeted therapeutic paradigms.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Proteomics , Humans , Proteomics/methods , COVID-19/diagnosis , SARS-CoV-2 , Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization/methods , Proteins , COVID-19 TestingABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Our study goal is to review the efficacy of tranexamic acid in reducing blood loss and operative time in nasal surgeries. METHODS: We included randomized clinical trials using oral or intravenous tranexamic acid, excluded non-randomized studies, topic administration, coagulopathy, and using other drugs interfering in the coagulation cascade. Online databases, National Library of Medicine (MEDLINE-PubMED), Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences (Lilacs), Cochrane Library, Embase and Google Scholar were used to perform the search. The review was registered in PROSPERO by no CRD42022310977. Two authors, independently, selected the articles meeting the inclusion criteria. They extracted the data and used RevMan 5 software to perform the meta-analysis. RESULTS: Our search resulted in 16 RCTs that were included in the meta-analysis totalizing 1108 patients. Studies were evaluated resulting in a low risk of bias for the five domains. The use of tranexamic acid resulted in significant reduction in duration of surgery (DOS) and intraoperative blood loss (IBL) had significant reduction. The level of evidence according to GRADE System was high in all studies and variables. CONCLUSION: Tranexamic acid has an important role in reducing intraoperative blood loss and duration of surgery. Our study has some limitations due to the low number of RCTs available in the literature.
Subject(s)
Antifibrinolytic Agents , Nasal Surgical Procedures , Tranexamic Acid , Humans , Tranexamic Acid/therapeutic use , Blood Loss, Surgical/prevention & control , Antifibrinolytic Agents/therapeutic use , Operative Time , Nasal Surgical Procedures/adverse effectsSubject(s)
Hematologic Tests , Laboratory Proficiency Testing , Humans , Glycated Hemoglobin , Brazil , Quality Control , LaboratoriesABSTRACT
Resumo Objetivo Verificar a adesão e a qualidade da técnica de higiene das mãos realizada por profissionais de saúde nos momentos preconizados e identificar os fatores impactantes. Métodos Estudo observacional, com 41 profissionais de Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Adulto de um hospital de ensino brasileiro. A coleta de dados foi de setembro a dezembro de 2021, utilizando questionário sociodemográfico e formulário de observação da Organização Mundial da Saúde. Foram aplicados testes estatísticos de análise binomial e modelo de regressão logística de efeitos mistos e adotou-se nível de significância de 0,05. Resultados Um total de 1.055 oportunidades de Higiene das Mãos foram observadas, a taxa de adesão foi de 23,98% e pode-se verificar que os profissionais não executaram a técnica preconizada. O teste binomial verificou maior adesão aos momentos "após" quando comparados aos momentos "antes" (p< 0,001) e foi constatado impacto negativo do uso de luvas (p< 0,001). O modelo logístico reforçou a maior adesão nos momentos "após". Ainda que a adesão esteja baixa entre todas as categorias profissionais, o modelo logístico demonstrou mais chances de higiene das mãos pelos enfermeiros. Conclusão A adesão à higiene das mãos foi consideravelmente baixa principalmente considerando a técnica adequada. Foi verificado impacto negativo do uso de luvas na adesão higiene das mãos. Os profissionais demonstraram maiores chances de aderirem a higiene das mãos nos momentos "após" quando comparados aos momentos "antes".
Resumen Objetivo Verificar la adhesión y la calidad de la técnica de higiene de manos realizada por profesionales de la salud en los momentos recomendados e identificar los factores impactantes. Métodos Estudio observacional con 41 profesionales de una unidad de cuidados intensivos adulta de un hospital universitario brasileño. La recopilación de datos se realizó de septiembre a diciembre de 2021, mediante un cuestionario sociodemográfico y un formulario de observación de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Se aplicaron pruebas estadísticas de análisis binominal y el modelo de regresión logística de efectos mixtos, y se adoptó un nivel de significación de 0,05. Resultados Se observó un total de 1.055 oportunidades de higiene de manos. El índice de adhesión fue del 23,98 % y se pudo verificar que los profesionales no ejecutan la técnica recomendada. La prueba binominal verificó una mayor adhesión en los momentos "después" comparado con los momentos "antes" (p<0,001) y se constató un impacto negativo del uso de guantes (p<0,001). El modelo logístico reforzó la mayor adhesión en los momentos "después". Aunque la adhesión sea baja en todas las categorías profesionales, el modelo logístico demostró mayor probabilidad de higiene de manos por parte de los enfermeros. Conclusión La adhesión a la higiene de manos fue considerablemente baja, sobre todo si se considera la técnica adecuada. Se verificó un impacto negativo del uso de guantes en la adhesión a la higiene de manos. Los profesionales demostraron mayores probabilidades de adhesión a la higiene de manos en los momentos "después" comparado con los momentos "antes".
Abstract Objective To verify adherence and quality of hand hygiene techniques performed by health professionals at recommended times and identify impacting factors. Methods This is an observational study, with 41 professionals from the Adult Intensive Care Unit of a Brazilian teaching hospital. Data collection took place from September to December 2021, using a sociodemographic questionnaire and observation form from the World Health Organization. Statistical tests of binomial analysis and mixed-effects logistic regression model were applied, and a significance level of 0.05 was adopted. Results A total of 1,055 hand hygiene opportunities were observed; the adherence rate was 23.98%; and it can be seen that professionals did not perform the recommended technique. The binomial test verified greater adherence to moments "after" when compared to moments "before" (p< 0.001) and a negative impact of using gloves was found (p< 0.001). The logistical model reinforced greater adherence in moments "after". Even though adherence is low among all professional categories, the logistical model demonstrated more chances of hand hygiene by nurses. Conclusion Adherence to hand hygiene was considerably low, especially considering the appropriate technique. A negative impact of using gloves on hand hygiene adherence was verified. Professionals demonstrated greater chances of adhering to hand hygiene in the moments "after" when compared to moments "before".
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Objective To evaluate the admission brain computed tomography (CT) scan findings in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a low- and middle-income country (LMIC) to predict long-term neurological outcomes. Materials and Methods Patients admitted to a tertiary emergency hospital between March 2017 and April 2018 who had suffered a TBI and had undergone a brain CT scan within 12 hours of the trauma were prospectively evaluated. All of the patients who were hospitalized for at least 24 hours were contacted by phone after 12 months to evaluate their neurological condition. Results We achieved a 12-month follow-up with 180 patients, most of them male (93.33%). The brain changes identified by CT, such as brain contusion (BC; p » 0.545), epidural hemorrhage (EDH; p » 0.968) and skull base fracture (SBF; p » 0.112) were not associated with worse neurological outcomes; however, subdural hemorrhage (SDH; p » 0.041), subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH; p 0.001), brain swelling (BS; p 0.001), effacement of cortical sulci (ECS; p » 0.006), effacement of basal cisterns (EBC; p 0.001), depressed skull fracture (DSF; p » 0.017), and a brain midline shift > 5 mm (p » 0.028) were associated with worse outcomes. Conclusion Findings such as SAH, BS and DSF were independent predictors of worse neurological outcomes. The rate of 70% of patients lost to follow-up shows the difficulties of conducting long-term research in LMICs.
Objetivo Avaliar as variáveis de tomografia computadorizada (TC) cerebral admissional em pacientes com trauma cranioencefálico (TCE) em um país de baixa e média renda (PBMR) para prever os resultados neurológicos de longo prazo. Materiais e Métodos Foram avaliados prospectivamente pacientes admitidos em um hospital terciário de emergência entre março de 2017 e abril de 2018, que sofreram TCE e realizaram tomografia de crânio em até 12 horas após o trauma. Todos os pacientes que permaneceram internados por pelo menos 24 horas foram contatados por telefone após 12 meses para avaliação de sua condição neurológica. Resultados Conseguimos um acompanhamento de 12 meses com 180 pacientes, a maioria deles do sexo masculino (93,33%). As alterações cerebrais identificadas pela TC, como contusão cerebral (CC; p » 0,545), hemorragia peridural (HPD; p » 0,968) e fratura da base do crânio (FBC; p » 0,112) não foram associadas a piores desfechos neurológicos; no entanto, hemorragia subdural (HSD; p » 0,041), hemorragia subaracnóidea (HSA; p 0,001), edema cerebral (EC; p 0,001), apagamento de sulcos corticais (ASC; p » 0,006), apagamento de cisternas (AC; p 0,001), fratura craniana deprimida (FCD; p » 0,017) e desvio da linha média do cérebro > 5 mm (p » 0,028) foram associados a piores resultados. Conclusão Achados como HSA, EC e FCD foram preditores independentes de piores desfechos neurológicos. A taxa de perda de acompanhamento de 70% indica as dificuldades de se conduzir pesquisas de longo prazo em PBMRs.