Percepción del usuario de absorbentes de incontinencia de orina y prevención de lesiones cutáneas desde la farmacia comunitaria / User perception of urine incontinence pads and prevention of skin lesions from the community pharmacy

JUSTIFICACIÓN: el farmacéutico comunitario desempeña una labor asistencial más allá de la dispensación de medicamentos. En España hay más de 6,5 millones de incontinentes. 1 de cada 4 mujeres mayores de 35 años y 1 de cada 4 hombres mayores de 40 la padecen. La incontinencia no supone un riesgo para la vida, pero si afecta a la calidad de vida: altera el sueño, reduce la movilidad, altera las relaciones sociales y sexuales. El 25 % de los pacientes incontinentes tiene problemas en su vida laboral. La incontinencia urinaria se ha convertido en la tercera enfermedad crónica que más afecta a la calidad de vida, después de la diabetes e hipertensión. Se ha observado que cuando la piel permanece constantemente húmeda pueden aparecer erupciones, infecciones de la piel y llagas. OBJETIVO: conocer la percepción del paciente o cuidador sobre el uso del absorbente, y el estado de la piel del usuario. Mejorar el estado de la piel de estos pacientes con educación sanitaria. MÉTODOS: entre el 15 y el 31 de Enero de 2022 se realiza una encuesta a todos los pacientes que acuden a una farmacia comunitaria solicitando absorbentes de incontinencia urinaria, que son mayores de edad, con estado cognitivo correcto y que aceptan realizar la encuesta. La encuesta consiste en cinco preguntas cerradas y dicotómicas (si o no) y con opción de añadir comentarios. Cuando se encuentran incidencias se pide al paciente o cuidador que entren en la zona de atención al paciente, donde reciben educación sanitaria de forma oral y escrita. Se contacta con ellos de nuevo a los 15 días para conocer si la actuación del farmacéutico ha ocasionado alguna mejoría. (AU)

Exploring Ubiquinone Biosynthesis Inhibition as a Strategy for Improving Atovaquone Efficacy in Malaria.

Atovaquone (AV) acts on the malaria parasite by competing with ubiquinol (UQH2) for its union to the mitochondrial bc1 complex, preventing the ubiquinone-8 and ubiquinone-9 (UQ-8 and UQ-9) redox recycling, which is a necessary step in pyrimidine biosynthesis. This study focused on UQ biosynthesis in Plasmodium falciparum and adopted proof-of-concept research to better elucidate the mechanism of action of AV and improve its efficacy. Initially, UQ biosynthesis was evaluated using several radioactive precursors and chromatographic techniques. This methodology was suitable for studying the biosynthesis of both UQ homologs and its redox state. Additionally, the composition of UQ was investigated in parasites cultivated at different oxygen saturations or in the presence of AV. AV affected the redox states of both UQ-8 and UQ-9 homologs by increasing the levels of the respective reduced forms. Conversely, low-oxygen environments specifically inhibited UQ-9 biosynthesis and increased the antimalarial efficacy of AV. These findings encouraged us to investigate the biological importance and the potential of UQ biosynthesis as a drug target based on its inhibition by 4-nitrobenzoate (4-NB), a 4-hydroxybenzoate (4-HB) analog. 4-NB effectively inhibits UQ biosynthesis and enhances the effects of AV on parasitic growth and respiration rate. Although 4-NB itself exhibits poor antimalarial activity, its 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) value increased significantly in the presence of a soluble UQ analog, p-aminobenzoic acid (pABA), or 4-HB. These results indicate the potential of AV combined with 4-NB as a novel therapy for malaria and other diseases caused by AV-sensitive pathogens.

Distribution of the concentration of heavy metals associated with the sediment particles accumulated on road surfaces.

The heavy metal pollution caused by road run-off water constitutes a problem in urban areas. The metallic load associated with road sediment must be determined in order to study its impact in drainage systems and receiving waters, and to perfect the design of prevention systems. This paper presents data regarding the sediment collected on road surfaces in the city of Torrelavega (northern Spain) during a period of 65 days (132 samples). Two sample types were collected: vacuum-dried samples and those swept up following vacuuming. The sediment loading (g m(-2)), particle size distribution (63-2800 microm) and heavy metal concentrations were determined. The data showed that the concentration of heavy metals tends to increase with the reduction in the particle diameter (exponential tendency). The concentrations ofPb, Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, Cd, Fe, Mn and Co in the size fraction <63 microm were 350, 630, 124, 57, 56, 38, 3231, 374 and 51 mg kg(-1), respectively (average traffic density: 3800 vehicles day(-1)). By increasing the residence time of the sediment, the concentration increases, whereas the ratio of the concentration between the different size fractions decreases. The concentration across the road diminishes when the distance between the roadway and the sampling siteincreases; when the distance increases, the ratio between size fractions for heavy metal concentrations increases. Finally, the main sources of heavy metals are the particles detached by braking (brake pads) and tyre wear (rubber), and are associated with particle sizes <125 microm.

Particle size distribution of accumulated sediments on an urban road in rainy weather.

The study of the behavior of deposited sediments on an urban surface serves to determine its characteristics of build-up, in dry periods, and of wash-off, during a rain event. Thus, these can be used later to indicate the presence of pollutants in an area. This paper presents data regarding the sediment collected on a road surface in the city of Torrelavega in northern Spain during a period of 65 days during which 132 samples were collected. The rainfall during the sampling period corresponded to 29% of the total rainfall registered in the same year. Two types of sediment collection samples were obtained: vacuumed dry samples (free load) and those swept up following vacuuming (fixed load). For each type of collected sample, the sediment loading, particle size distribution in seven fractions and moisture were determined. The data showed that the sediment loading (g m(-2)) and vacuumed availability of the load that was more strongly adhered to the surface, "fixed load", increases with the number of dry days. The particle size distribution of the collected sediment tended to be finer with the increase in number of dry days. Particle sizes less than 125 microm presented the greater rate of accumulation in dry weather and those less than 500 microm, the greater susceptibility to being washed off during a storm event.

In-vitro evaluation of the adhesion to polypropylene sutures of non-pigmented, rapidly growing mycobacteria.

The ability of non-pigmented, rapidly growing mycobacteria (NPRGM) to attach to polypropylene sutures was evaluated using an in-vitro assay. Thirty clinical isolates and five culture collection strains of NPRGM, together with Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 35983, were tested. Mycobacterium fortuitum and Mycobacterium chelonae showed the highest attachment ability, which differed significantly from the results obtained with Mycobacterium peregrinum. According to these results, NPRGM are able to attach to polypropylene sutures, and the species implicated most frequently in human infection showed increased levels of attachment in comparison with the other mycobacteria studied.

[Non-immunoallergic hepatotoxicity due to mesalazine]. / Hepatotoxicidad no inmunoalérgica por mesalazina.

Mesalazine is an aminosalicillic derivative considered as a safe alternative to the relative frequency (5-55%) of adverse effects observed with sulfasalazine. The well known hepatoxicity associated with sulfasalazine and attributed to its sulfamidic fraction is limited to few cases described in the treatment with mesalazine. We herein present a new case of hepatoxicity by mesalazine in a patient with lymphocytic colitis. The possible pathogenic mechanism is also commented upon.

Role of GABAA receptors in the organization of brain and behavioural sex differences.

Sex differences in GABA neurotransmitter have been described. We have studied the involvement of the GABAA receptor in sex differences in the brain and reproductive behaviour. Neonatal administration of the GABAA agonist diazepam to male rats facilitated the induction of maternal behaviour in adults, while the antagonist picrotoxin disrupted it in females. Sex differences in the accessory olfactory bulb were also reversed, but gonadal function remained unaltered in both sexes. This suggests that neonatal changes in neuronal membrane permeability to Cl- ions may play a role in the organization of sex differences. Our study constitutes a new model for understanding the early neurobiological organization of sex differences.

Effect of microwaves on the activity of murine macrophages in vitro.

The effect of nonionizing electromagnetic radiation in the microwave range was studied on the adherence, opsonization, phagocytosis, nitroblue tetrazolium reduction and antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity of peritoneal macrophages from BALB/c mice. After 15 min of irradiation with microwaves modulated in pulses at a frequency of 2,450 MHz and a power density of 32 mW/cm2, an increase in all the parameters studied was observed. The use of microwaves as a possible tool for the stimulation of the immune system is discussed.

Effect of a new synthetic C-nucleoside (EDTO) on cell proliferation.

The growth of Ehrlich ascite tumour cells obtained from NMRI mice and the proliferative response of T-lymphocytes from human peripheral blood in the presence of a mitogen: phytohemagglutinin (PHA) were studied in order to see what effect 2-(alpha and beta-D-erythrophuranosyl)-6,6-dimethyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindol+ ++-4-one (a new synthetic C-nucleoside) had on cell proliferation. The uptake of 3H-thymidine was used as an index of cellular growth. The results show that although this C-nucleoside did not significantly alter the growth of the tumour cells, it did significantly inhibit the proliferation of T-lymphocytes.

Effect of Fiblaferon-L on the human immune system.

The effect of a new commercial interferon (Fiblaferon L) on the human immune system was studied. Different experiments were performed on human peripheral blood in vitro, in order to observe: (a) the phagocytic capacity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) and monocytes; (b) monocyte adherence index, and (c) percentage of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) against chicken red blood cells (CRBC). Fiblaferon L enhanced all these functions.

Kinetics and characteristics of murine macrophage-lymphocyte interaction in presence of PHA: appearance of multinucleated giant cells in vitro.

The appearance of cellular associations between macrophages and lymphocytes--which we have denominated macrophage-lymphocyte rosettes--and their kinetic formation in the presence of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) have been studied in B10 A (4R) mice. The greatest number of macrophage-lymphocyte rosettes was found from 6 to 12 hours after incubation with PHA. During this time, 42.38 +/- 10.70 of the total number of macrophages had lymphocytes attached to their membranes. This percentage decreased to 17.33 +/- 2.07% after 24 hours. The activation of macrophages after PHA treatment was tested by the phagocytic capacity of these cells. This activity increased significantly 24 hours after incubation. In our assay, an increase in the appearance of multinucleated giant cells when compared to controls was also observed. When the macrophages were lymphocyte depleted, the appearance of the multinucleated giant cells was significantly lower. The kinetics for these formations are also discussed.

[Effect of a new synthetic cyclic-nucleoside on cell proliferation]. / Efecto de un nuevo c-nucleósido sintético sobre la proliferación celular.

The activity of a new synthetic C-nucleoside upon cell proliferation was tested using mouse Ehrlich ascites tumor cells and PHA-stimulated human blood T lymphocytes. The product did not modify the cancer cells reproduction. Contrarily, it inhibited T lymphocytes proliferation.