Pharmaceutical applications of AC Biosusceptometry

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Comparison of risk factors among blood donors, volunteers and replacement individuals, infected or not by hepatitis C virus

Hepatitis C is transmitted primarily parenterally by contaminated blood and is often associated with: intravenous drug abuse, invasive procedures, blood transfusions, acupuncture, tattooing, and alcohol and tobacco use. This study aimed to quantify and evaluate the risk factors among blood donors, volunteer blood donors and replacement individuals, infected or not by the C virus. The main transmission routes of C virus were identified in 55 men and 25 women (GI) monitored by the Ambulatory Unit of the Department of Tropical Diseases, Botucatu Medical School, and in 24 men and 26 women (GII), all active blood donors at the Bauru State Hospital Transfusional Agency. Both groups were similar in: tobacco and alcohol consumption, sexual behavior, tattooing and illicit drug use. The duration of alcohol and tobacco consumption and blood transfusions in GI were longer, whereas the option for steady partners, condom use, disposable materials and piercings were predominant in GII. In conclusion, the risk factors for hepatitis C demonstrate the necessity of health policies that act on the primary and secondary prevention levels (respectively, reduction of infection incidence and hepatopathy risk).

Características de população de profissionais do sexo e sua associação com presença de doença sexualmente transmissível

Este estudo teve como objetivo descrever a população de profissionais do sexo, considerando características sociodemográficas, antecedentes gineco-obstétricos e comportamentais, e verificar a associação com a presença de doença sexualmente transmissível. Trata-se de estudo epidemiológico e transversal, realizado com 102 mulheres profissionais do sexo. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de entrevista e exames padrão-ouro para diagnóstico das doenças de interesse. A média de idade das mulheres foi de 26,1 anos, sendo que a maioria tinha nove ou mais anos de aprovação escolar, era solteira e teve coitarca antes dos 15 anos. A prática de sexo oral nos parceiros foi citada por 90,2% das mulheres, 99% delas relataram fazer uso de preservativo no trabalho, apenas 26,3% com parceiros fixos e 42,2% usavam drogas ilícitas. Não houve associação entre fatores sociodemográficos, antecedentes gineco-obstétricos e fatores comportamentais com presença de doença sexualmente transmissível e isso pode ser decorrente da escolaridade e do fato da população estudada possuir características muito semelhantes, dificultando o aparecimento de tais associações.

Effect of Chemical Disinfection and Accelerated Aging on Color Stability of Maxillofacial Silicone with Opacifiers

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the color stability of MDX4-4210 maxillofacial elastomer with opacifier addition submitted to chemical disinfection and accelerated aging.Materials and Methods: Ninety specimens were obtained from Silastic MDX4-4210 silicone. The specimens were divided into three groups (n = 30): Group I: colorless, Group II: barium sulfate opacifier, Group III: titanium dioxide opacifier. Specimens of each group (n = 10) were disinfected with effervescent tablets, neutral soap, or 4% chlorhexidine gluconate. Disinfection was conducted three times a week for 2 months. Afterward, the specimens were submitted to different periods of accelerated aging. Color evaluation was carried out after 60 days (disinfection period) and after 252, 504, and 1008 hours of accelerated aging, using a reflection spectrophotometer. Color alterations were calculated by the CIE L*a*b* system. Data were analyzed by three-way ANOVA and Tukey test (alpha = 0.05).Results: Group II exhibited the lowest color change, whereas Group III the highest (p < 0.05), regardless of the chemical disinfection and accelerated aging periods.Conclusion: Opacifier addition, chemical disinfection, and accelerated aging procedures affected the color stability of the maxillofacial silicone.

Color stability of maxillofacial silicone with nanoparticle pigment and opacifier submitted to disinfection and artificial aging

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the color stability of a maxillofacial elastomer with the addition of a nanoparticle pigment and/or an opacifier submitted to chemical disinfection and artificial aging. Specimens were divided into four groups (n = 30): group I: silicone without pigment or opacifier, group II: ceramic powder pigment, group III: Barium sulfate (BaSO(4)) opacifier, and group IV: ceramic powder and BaSO(4) opacifier. Specimens of each group (n = 10) were disinfected with effervescent tablets, neutral soap, or 4% chlorhexidine gluconate. Disinfection was done three times a week during two months. Afterward, specimens were submitted to different periods of artificial aging. Color evaluation was initially done, after 60 days (disinfection period) and after 252, 504, and 1008 h of artificial aging with aid of a reflection spectrophotometer. Data were analyzed by three-way ANOVA and Tukey test (alpha = 0.05). The isolated factor disinfection did not statistically influence the values of color stability among groups. The association between pigment and BaSO(4) opacifier (GIV) was more stable in relationship to color change (Delta E). All values of Delta E obtained, independent of the disinfectant and the period of artificial aging, were considered acceptable in agreement with the norms presented in literature. (C) 2011 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). [DOI: 10.1117/1.3625401]

Normalização dos níveis séricos de ácido ascórbico por suplementação com suco de acerola (Malpighia glabra L.) ou farmacológica em idosos institucionalizados

INTRODUÇÃO: Este estudo investigou o tempo necessário de suplementação com vitamina C, para a normalização dos níveis séricos em idosos com deficiência dessa vitamina e comparar o efeito da vitamina natural do suco de acerola (Malpighia glabra L.) com o da vitamina na forma de fármaco. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 37 idosos institucionalizados do município de João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil, divididos em 3 grupos: Grupo I - controle, Grupo II - suplementação com o suco de acerola e Grupo III - suplementação com fármaco. A metodologia empregada consistiu na dosagem sérica de ácido ascórbico e na verificação do consumo alimentar por inquérito dietético. Constatou-se um aumento significativo (p<0,05) nas médias dos níveis séricos de ácido ascórbico, após 10 dias (1,27±0,41mg/dL), 20 (1,69±0,45mg/dL) e 30 dias (1,55±0,42mg/dL) de suplementação aos valores iniciais (0,38±0,28mg/dL). No 10º dia de suplementação, os idosos suplementados com suco de acerola apresentaram níveis significativamente mais elevados (1,41±0,43mg/dL) do que aqueles que foram suplementados com comprimidos (1,03±0,25mg/dL). CONCLUSÃO: Considerando-se que, no 20º dia, o efeito da suplementação foi satisfatório para a normalização dos níveis séricos daqueles indivíduos, esse tempo poderia ser utilizado para idosos em geral e, em especial, para aqueles que vivem em instituições destinadas a idosos carentes, sendo o suco de acerola um suplemento indicado por ser um produto natural e de fácil aquisição.

Determination of 5-aminosalicylic acid in pharmaceutical formulations by square wave voltammetry at pencil graphite electrodes

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Potentiometric determination of captopril in pharmaceutical formulations

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Anestesia e o usuário de Ecstasy

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Nos últimos anos o número de novos usuários de agentes ilícitos tem aumentado de forma significativa em todo o mundo. A maconha e a cocaína, além do álcool e do tabaco, têm sido os agentes citados com freqüência, porém houve um aumento significativo de usuários de outros agentes psicoestimulantes ou alucinógenos, como o Ecstasy, o GHB, o LSD e a metanfetamina, empregados com o objetivo de intensificar as experiências sociais. O objetivo do presente artigo foi discutir a apresentação clínica, os efeitos deletérios e as potenciais interações com o ato anestésico no paciente cirúrgico usuário desses agentes ilícitos. CONTEÚDO: O artigo discute os mecanismos de ação, a apresentação clínica, os efeitos deletérios e as possíveis repercussões observadas durante a anestesia no usuário de MDMA (3,4-metilenodioximetanfetamina), também conhecido como Ecstasy. CONCLUSÕES: A apresentação clínica e os efeitos deletérios provocados pelo 3,4-metilenodioximetanfetamina (Ecstasy), assim como potenciais interações com o ato anestésico devem ser do conhecimento do anestesiologista, pois em muitas situações esses usuários serão submetidos a intervenções cirúrgicas de emergência, ou mesmo eletivas.

Grading and staging chronic hepatitis C and its relation to genotypes and epidemiological factors in brazilian blood donors

Progression of chronic hepatitis C is known to be associated with some factors, but influence of HCV genotypes is still controversial. Association between HCV genotypes and other risk factors was examined to determine which factors are associated with progression of infection. One hundred consecutive anti-HCV positive volunteer blood donors were evaluated for several risk factors, examined for HCV genotypes, and submitted to hepatic biopsy and biochemical exams.HCV genotyping were carried out in 89 patients and hepatic biopsy in 78. Transmission routes were found to be illicit intravenous drug use (26%), Gluconergan® use in a non-safe manner (48%) and blood transfusion (15%). HCV genotype was 1 in 45%, 3 in 40%, and it was not associated with the stage of fibrosis or with inflammatory activity. There was no significant association of factors related to infection, chronic alcohol use, or duration of illness, with progression of the lesion. There was a significant association of aminotransferase levels and the fibrosis stage. Univariate analysis showed that the age at contamination, patient's age, GT-gamma, and aminotransferase levels over three times the upper normal limits, were associated with fibrosis stages 2 to 4. Multivariate analysis detected age (odds ratio=1.19), and GT-gamma (odds ratio=2.02) as independent factors.

Determination of furosemide in pharmaceutical formulations by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy

In this report an analytical method to determine furosemide by using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy is presented. This study shows that this technique can give quantitative results using spot test analysis, particularly in the case of pharmaceuticals containing furosemide. The color spot test could be obtained by reaction between furosemide with p-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde, in acid medium. This reaction produced a stable complex on filter paper after heating to 80degreesC for 5 min. All reflectance measurements were carried out at 585 nm and the linear range was from 7.56 x 10(-3) to 6.05 x 10(-2) mol l(-1), with a correlation coefficient of 0.999. The limit of detection was estimated to be 2.49 x 10(-3) mol l(-1) (R.S.D. = 1.7%) and the effect of common excipients on the reflectance measurements was evaluated. The method was applied to determine furosemide in commercial brands of pharmaceuticals. The results obtained by the proposed method were favorably compared with those of the official method, showing for the first time ever that quantitative spot test analysis by diffuse reflectance could be successfully used to determine furosemide in tablets. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Voltammetric determination of fenbendazole in veterinarian formulations

A versatile voltammetric method for quantitative determination of fenbendazole (FBZ) in commercial tablets has been proposed, where direct dissolution of tablets is carried out in 0.1 mol l(-1) tetrabutylamoniun tetrafluorborate containing dimethylformamide solutions. Linear sweep (LSV), square wave (SWV) and differential pulse (DPV) voltammetry techniques were applied to study FBZ at a glassy carbon electrode, exhibiting a well defined irreversible oxidation peak at 1.15 V vs. SCE. This methodology allows a precise quantitative determination of FBZ presenting detection limits of 5.2 x 10(-5) (LSV), 5.0 x 10(-6) (DPV) and 5.0 x 10(-5) mol l(-1) (SWV). (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Electrochemical study of hydroxychloroquine and its determination in plaquenil by differential pulse voltammetry

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is a halogenated aminoquinoline that presents wide biological activity, often being used as an antimalarial drug. The electrochemical reduction of HCQ was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry using glassy carbon electrodes. By cyclic voltammetry, in acid medium, only the cathodic peak was observed. The electrochemical behavior of this peak is dependent on pH and the electrodic process occurs through an ErCi mechanism. The electron number (le) consumed in the reduction of HCQ was obtained by chronoamperometry. A method for the electrochemical determination of HCQ in pharmaceutical tablets was developed using differential pulse voltammetry. The detection limit reached was 11.2 mug ml(-1) of HCQ with a relative standard deviation of 0.46%. A spectrophotometric study of HCQ has been also carried out utilizing a band at 343 nm. The obtained detection limit and the relative standard deviation were 0.1 mug ml(-1) and 0.36%, respectively. The electrochemical methods are sufficiently accurate and precise to be applied for HCQ determination, in laboratorial routine, which can be used to determine the drug at low level. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Measurements of gunshot residues by sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry - Further studies with pistols

The most popular handgun in Brazil is the single round-barrel caliber 0.38 revolver. In recent years, however, owing to the modernization of police arms and their availability on the legal and illicit markets, pistols have become increasingly popular and currently represent about 20% of police seizures. In a previous paper we presented a novel collection method for gunshot residues (GSR) using a sampling procedure based on ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA) solution as a complexing agent on moistened swabs with subsequent detection using sector field-high resolution-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (SF-HR-ICP-MS). In the present paper, we discuss the capability of this methodology to identify antimony (Sb), barium (Ba) and lead (Pb) on the hands of volunteers after shot tests with 9 mm and 0.40 in. caliber pistols. Two types of munitions were tested: 9 mm Taurus and clean range. The use of a technique with high sensitivity, such as SF-HR-ICP-MS, permits the identification of low concentrations (less than 1 mu g/L) of metals in firearm residue and constitutes a powerful tool in forensic science. We also discuss the importance of the sampling procedure, including collection from a different body part than the gun hand of the suspect. Comparison of the analytical data obtained allows clear discrimination between samples from the hands of shooters and non-shooters. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V.. All rights reserved.

Voltammetric assay of albendazole in pharmaceutical dosage forms

A simple, rapid inexpensive voltammetric method have been developed for the quantitative determination of albendazole (ABZ) as the pure assay, by direct dissolution of commercial tablets in HCl solutions. Studies with linear sweep (LSV), square-wave (SWV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) were carried out ABZ in aqueous medium at a glassy carbon electrode. A well defined irreversible oxidation peak current was obtained at 1,00V vs. SCE. The method permits a precise quantitative determination of ABZ using the standard addition method. The detection limits for the three voltammetric techniques were found to be 3.0 x 10(-5) M (LSV), 6.2 x 10(-5) M (SWV) and 4.0 x 10(-5) M (DPV).