RESUMO

Buddleja globosa Hope (BG) extracts are traditionally used to treat skin and gastric ulcers due to their healing properties. Non-aqueous solvents such as ethanol and DMSO are usually used to extract naturally occurring compounds. However, the cytotoxicity of these solvents and the low water solubility of the extracted compounds can hinder their biomedical applications. To overcome the limited solubility of the BG extracts, we aimed to enhance the solubility by processing a standardized hydroalcoholic extract (BG-126) through spray drying (SD), with and without two solubility enhancers. Spray-dried BG (BG-SD) extracts and spray-dried BG extracts plus polyvinylpyrrolidone (BG-SD PVP) and Soluplus® (BG-SD SP) were developed starting from BG-126 (containing 53% ethanol). These four formulations were characterized by total phenolic content, water solubility at 25°C and 37°C, and antimicrobial properties against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. All the SD formulations presented a solubility that allowed them to reach maximum concentrations of 1,024 µg/ml catechin for BG-SD and 2,048 µg/ml catechin for BG-SD PVP and BG-SD SP for antimicrobial testing. BG-SD showed the highest antimicrobial potency with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 512 µg/ml catechin, followed by BG-126 with a MIC of 1,024 µg/ml catechin and SP. BG-126 was also shown to inhibit biofilm formation, as well as the excipients PVP and SP. The spray-dried BG (BG-SD) extract represents a promising natural active component with enhanced antimicrobial properties against P. aeruginosa for further research and the development of novel phytopharmaceuticals.

RESUMO

Tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis relies on a sputum sample, which cannot be easily obtained from all symptomatic patients. Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA can be detected from oral swabs, a noninvasive, safe alternative sample type; however, reported sensitivities have been variable and likely depend on sample collection, processing procedures and host characteristics. We analyzed three buccal swab samples from 123 adults with culture-confirmed TB in Lima, Peru. We compared the sensitivity and specificity of two sample collection devices (OmniSwab and EasiCollect FTA cards) and examined factors associated with detection. DNA was extracted with a commercially available kit and detected via real-time PCR IS6110 amplification. Overall sensitivity for buccal samples was 51% (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 42-60%). Specificity from a single sample among healthy controls was 96.7% (95% CI 83-99.9%). Positive sputum smear and cavitary disease, correlates of disease burden, were associated with detection via buccal swab. Although we observed higher sensitivities with the Omniswab samples, this appeared to be due primarily to differences in patient characteristics (e.g., cavitary disease). Overall, our findings support the potential for a buccal sample-based TB assay. Future work should focus on assay optimization and streamlining the assay workflow.

Assuntos

RESUMO

We examined Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA detection from buccal swab samples collected from children in Lima, Peru. DNA was extracted and amplified via real-time polymerase chain reaction. Sensitivity was 21% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 7%-42%) in 24 culture-confirmed tuberculosis cases and 4.6% (95% CI: 1%-13%) in 65 clinically diagnosed unconfirmed cases. Sensitivity was highest for smear-positive tuberculosis. Specificity was 99% in the 199 controls (95% CI: 96%-100%).

Assuntos

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Rapid and accurate diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis (TB) is challenging because children are often unable to produce the sputum sample required for conventional tests. Stool is an alternative sample type that is easy to collect from children, and studies investigating the use of stool for molecular detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) have led to promising results. Our objective was to evaluate stool as an alternative specimen to sputum for Mtb detection in children. We did so using the TruTip workstation (Akonni Biosystems), a novel automated lysis and extraction platform. METHODS: We tested stool samples from 259 children aged 0-14 years old, in Lima, Peru who presented with TB symptoms. Following extraction with TruTip, we detected the presence of Mtb DNA by IS6110 real-time PCR. We calculated assay sensitivity in two groups: (1) children with culture confirmed TB (N = 22); and (2) children with clinically-diagnosed unconfirmed TB (N = 84). We calculated specificity among children in whom TB was ruled out (N = 153). Among children who were diagnosed with TB, we examined factors associated with a positive stool test. RESULTS: Assay sensitivity was 59% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 39-80%) and 1.2% (95% CI: 0.0-6.5%) in children with culture-confirmed and clinically-diagnosed unconfirmed TB, respectively, and specificity was 97% (95% CI: 93-99%). The assay detected Mtb in stool of 7/7 children with smear-positive TB (100% sensitivity; 95% CI: 59-100%), and in 6/15 of children with smear-negative, culture-confirmed TB (40% sensitivity; 95% CI: 16-68%). Older age, smear positivity, culture positivity, ability to produce sputum and cavitary disease were associated with a positive stool result. CONCLUSION: Testing of stool samples with the TruTip workstation and IS6110 amplification yielded sensitivity and specificity estimates comparable to other tests such as Xpert. Future work should include detection of resistance using the TruTip closed amplification system and assay optimization to improve sensitivity in children with low bacillary loads.

Assuntos

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of allergic diseases markedly varies according to the geographical region. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis in children of six and seven years of age. METHODS: Cross-sectional study that included a sample of almost 15 thousand children in five cities of Mexico. To obtain the prevalence of allergic diseases and their symptoms, the parents of the children answered The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire. 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated for proportions. RESULTS: Of the total sample, 7466 (52.5 %) were boys and 7463 (47.5%) girls. In general, the prevalence of asthma, exercise-induced asthma and current asthma was 6.1 % (95% CI = 5.7%-6.5%), 2.1 % (95% CI = 1.9%-2.3%) and 11.6 % (95% CI = 11.1% -12.1%), respectively. On the other hand, the prevalence of allergic rhinitis was 5.4 % (95% CI = 5.1%-5.8%), rhinitis with conjunctivitis, 19.2 % (95% CI = 18.6%-19.8%), and current rhinitis, 52.8% (95% CI = 52.0%-53.6%). The prevalence of atopic dermatitis and current dermatitis was 3.4 % (95% CI = 3.1%-3.7%) and 7.8% (95 % CI = 7.4%-8.2%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the prevalence of allergic diseases in school children is similar to that observed in previous studies in Mexico.

Antecedentes: La prevalencia de enfermedades alérgicas varía notoriamente de acuerdo con la región geográfica. Objetivo: Determinar las prevalencias de asma, rinitis alérgica y dermatitis atópica en niños de seis y siete años residentes del Bajío, México. Métodos: Estudio transversal que incluyó una muestra de casi 15 mil niños en cinco ciudades del Bajío. Los padres contestaron el cuestionario de The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood, de donde se obtuvo la prevalencia de las enfermedades alérgicas y sus síntomas. Se estimaron intervalos de confianza (IC) a 95 % para proporciones. Resultados: Del total de la muestra, 7466 (52.5 %) fueron niños y 7463 (47.5 %) niñas. En general, las prevalencias de asma, asma con el ejercicio y asma actual fueron 6.1 % (IC 95 % = 5.7-6.5 ), 2.1 % (IC 95 % = 1.9-2.3) y 11.6 % (IC 95 % = 11.1-12.1), respectivamente. Por su parte, la prevalencia de rinitis alérgica fue de 5.4 % (IC 95 % (5.1-5.8 ), de rinitis más conjuntivitis de 19.2 % (IC 95 % = 18.6-19.8) y de rinitis actual de 52.8 % (IC 95 % = 52-53.6). La prevalencia de dermatitis atópica y de dermatitis actual fue de 3.4 % (IC 95 % = 3.1-3.7) y 7.8 % (IC 95 % = 7.4-8.2). Conclusiones: Los resultados indicaron que la prevalencia de las enfermedades alérgicas en niños escolares es similar a las observadas en estudios previos en México.

Assuntos

RESUMO

En el Hospital Juárez de México, de enero de 1994 al mes de junio de 1995, se efectuaron 10 osteotomías humerales rotadora en 10 pacientes por luxación recidivante de hombro, con lesión de Hill-Sach, que no fue diagnosticada por el método convencional de radiografía simple, sino por tomografía axial computarizada. Los 9 pacientes del sexo masculino y uno femenino, de 19 a 30 años de edad, con edad promedio de 24 años. Presentaron un promedio de seis luxaciones por paciente. La lesión de Hill-Sach fue confirmada transoperatoriamente. El tratamiento de la luxación recidivante de hombro con lesión de Hill-Sach fue descrito por primera vez por B. G. Weber en 1964. Al efectuar una osteotomía humeral rotacional en forma experimental; de 1967 a 1981, efectuó un promedio de 207 osteotomías con buenos resultados. La osteotomía se llevó a cabo en el tercio proximal del húmero con una rotación externa de 20 a 25 grados. Se fijó con una placa de media caña de seis orificios, más plicatura del tendón subescapular. Los pacientes se inmovilizaron con un vendaje elástico por tres semanas para continuar con un cabestrillo y efectuar movimiento ligero durante otras tres semana; al notar datos radiografícos de consolidación, se inició la rehabilitación forzada. Los resultados con respecto a estabilidad, fuerza y movimiento fueron buens, sólo se tuvo un caso de retardo de consolidación, el cual prolongado el tiempo de inmovilización, llegó a la consolidación. No se reportaron casos de infección, ni de intolerancia al material de osteosintesis. La disminución de la rotación externa del brazo fue de 10 grados aproximadamente

Assuntos