A theoretical study of the characterization and the absorption spectrum of Mg: Tetracycline complexes in aqueous environment.

The complex formed by the tetracycline (TC) molecule with the Mg ion is able to prevent the replication of the genetic material in the bacterial ribosome, making an excellent antibiotic. In general, the absorption and emission spectra of TC are very sensitive to the host ions and the pH of the solvent that the set is immersed. However, the theoretical absorption spectrum available in the literature is scarce and limited to simple models that do not consider the fluctuations of the liquid. Our aim is to obtain the electronic absorption spectrum of TC and the complex Mg:TC in the ratio 1:1 and 2:1. Moreover, we analyze the changes in intensity and shifts of the bands in the systems listed. We performed the simulation using the classical Monte Carlo technique with the Lennard-Jones plus Coulomb potential applied to each atom of the both TC molecule and the Mg:TC complexes in water. The electronic absorption spectrum was obtained from the time-dependent density functional theory using different solvent models. In general, we obtained a good qualitative description of the spectra when compared with the experimental results. The Mg atom shifts the first band by 4 nm in our models, in excellent agreement to the experimental result of 4 nm. The second absorption band is found here to be useful for the characterization of the position where the ion attaches to the TC.

Determination of Tetracycline in Environmental Water Samples at a Graphite-Polyurethane Composite Electrode

A bare graphite-polyurethane composite was evaluated in the tetracycline (TC) determination in natural water samples. Using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), a linear response was observed in the range of 4.00-40.0 mu mol L-1 with limit of detection of 2.80 mu mol L-1, without the need of surface renewing between successive runs. During the tetracycline determination in water samples, recoveries between 92.6 and 100% were found. The results for TC determination in water samples after a pre-concentration stage agreed with spiked value at a 95% confidence level according to student t-test.

Effectiveness of the association of dexamethasone with antibiotic therapy in pediatric patients with bacterial meningitis

Effectiveness of the association of dexamethasone with antibiotic therapy in pediatric patients with bacterial meningitis Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of the association of corticosteroids and the standard treatment of bacterial meningitis in pediatric patients. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted through the MEDLINE database. Only randomized controlled trials comparing dexamethasone with placebo in the treatment of pediatric patients with bacterial meningitis were included. Results: Eight articles met the inclusion criteria and were selected for analysis. There were no difference in mortality (p = 0.86), and incidence of neurological (p = 0.41) and auditory (p = 0.48) sequelae between the groups. Conclusion: There are no benefits in associating corticosteroids with the standard treatment of bacterial meningitis in pediatric patients.

Applying validated quality indicators to surgical antibiotic prophylaxis in a Brazilian hospital: Learning what should be learned

Background: Compliance with the best surgical antibiotic prophylaxis practice is usually low despite many published guidelines. Objective: This study investigated compliance with the Hospital Infection Control Committee guideline for antibiotic prophylaxis in a Brazilian hospital using quality indicators. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out from November 2009 to March 2010. Medical records from adult inpatients undergoing cardiac, neurologic, and orthopedic clean surgeries were included. The full compliance index was considered 100% when the antibiotic prophylaxis showed adequacy in all evaluated attributes. Analyses were conducted with 5% significance. Results: Medical records from 101 cardiac, 128 neurologic, and 519 orthopedic surgical patients were evaluated. The compliance index was 4.9%, and the compliance index according to specialty was 5.8%, 3.1%, and 3.0%, respectively, for orthopedic, neurologic, and cardiac surgeries. The attribute route of administration produced the best outcomes, whereas the attribute duration of antibiotic prophylaxis produced the worst. No association was identified between compliance to the attributes and patient characteristics. Conclusion: This study showed a low level of adherence to Hospital Infection Control Committee guidelines for antibiotic prophylaxis. This suggests that different strategies should be implemented to promote the best possible practice in the field of antibiotic prophylaxis with greater surgeon engagement. Copyright (C) 2012 by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Clinical and surgical evaluation of the indication of postoperative antibiotic prescription in third molar surgery

Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the need for antibiotic prescription in third molar surgery. Study design. A double-blind randomized study was carried out with 71 patients from CODONT (Dentistry Center of the Police of Sao Paulo). Amoxicillin, clindamycin, or no medication was administered for 7 days immediately after surgery. The participants evaluated the presence of pain, edema, interincisal distance (ID), presence of infection, Pell and Gregory classification, rescue analgesia, osteotomy, and odontosection. Results. There was no difference (P < .05) between antibiotics and control over the surgery duration, dose, visual analog scale (VAS), ID, and edema, yet significant differences were seen over time for VAS, edema, and ID. Conclusions. Antibiotic prescription should not be indicated in all clinical conditions, yet it is necessary to correctly evaluate factors such as systemic condition of the patient, skill of the operator, and contamination of the surgical environment. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2012; 114(suppl 5):S26-S31)

Association of a probiotic to a Helicobacter pylori eradication regimen does not increase efficacy or decreases the adverse effects of the treatment: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Abstract Background The treatment for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is complex; full effectiveness is rarely achieved and it has many adverse effects. In developing countries, increased resistance to antibiotics and its cost make eradication more difficult. Probiotics can reduce adverse effects and improve the infection treatment efficacy. If the first-line therapy fails a second-line treatment using tetracycline, furazolidone and proton-pump inhibitors has been effective and low cost in Brazil; however it implies in a lot of adverse effects. The aim of this study was to minimize the adverse effects and increase the eradication rate applying the association of a probiotic compound to second-line therapy regimen. Methods Patients with peptic ulcer or functional dyspepsia infected by H. pylori were randomized to treatment with the furazolidone, tetracycline and lansoprazole regimen, twice a day for 7 days. In a double-blind study, patients received placebo or a probiotic compound (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Streptococcus faecium) in capsules, twice a day for 30 days. A symptom questionnaire was administered in day zero, after completion of antibiotic therapy, after the probiotic use and eight weeks after the end of the treatment. Upper digestive endoscopy, histological assessment, rapid urease test and breath test were performed before and eight weeks after eradication treatment. Results One hundred and seven patients were enrolled: 21 men with active probiotic and 19 with placebo plus 34 women with active probiotic and 33 with placebo comprising a total of 55 patients with active probiotic and 52 with placebo. Fifty-one patients had peptic ulcer and 56 were diagnosed as functional dyspepsia. The per-protocol eradication rate with active probiotic was 89.8% and with placebo, 85.1% (p = 0.49); per intention to treat, 81.8% and 79.6%, respectively (p = 0.53). The rate of adverse effects at 7 days with the active probiotic was 59.3% and 71.2% with placebo (p = 0.20). At 30 days, it was 44.9% and 60.4%, respectively (p = 0.08). Conclusions The use of this probiotic compound compared to placebo in the proposed regimen in Brazilian patients with peptic ulcer or functional dyspepsia showed no significant difference in efficacy or adverse effects. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN04714018

Determination of tetracycline in environmental water samples at a graphite-polyurethane composite electrode

A bare graphite-polyurethane composite was evaluated in the tetracycline (TC) determination in natural water samples. Using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), a linear response was observed in the range of 4.00-40.0 µmol L-1 with limit of detection of 2.80 µmol L-1, without the need of surface renewing between successive runs. During the tetracycline determination in water samples, recoveries between 92.6 and 100% were found. The results for TC determination in water samples after a pre-concentration stage agreed with spiked value at a 95% confidence level according to student t-test.