Infraestrutura e adesão à higienização das mãos: desafios à segurança do paciente

Considerando a importância das mãos na cadeia de transmissão de microrganismos, esta pesquisa observacional investigou a infraestrutura material e a adesão à higienização das mãos em unidade de terapia intensiva do sul do Brasil, em 2010. Os dados foram coletados por observação direta não participante e emprego de instrumento autoaplicável a 39 profissionais, analisados com auxílio de Teste do 2, estatística descritiva e análise de discurso quantitativa. Embora os profissionais superestimem a adesão, reconheçam a prática como relevante para a prevenção de infecções e refiram não haver fatores de impedimento, entre 1277 oportunidades observadas, a adesão foi de 28,6%, e significativamente menor antes do contato e dos procedimentos assépticos do que após o contato com o paciente. A infraestrutura apresentou-se deficiente em funcionalidade. Os resultados implicam risco para a segurança dos pacientes, sendo relevante o planejamento de ações corretivas e que promovam essa prática

Mast cell concentration and skin wound contraction in rats treated with Ximenia americana L

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate wound contraction and the concentration of mast cells in skin wounds treated with wild plum (Ximenia americana) essential oil-based ointment in rats. Methods: Sixty rats were submitted to two cutaneous wounds in the thoracic region, on the right and left antimeres. Thereon, they were divided into three groups: GX (wounds treated once a day with hydro alcoholic branch extract of Ximenia americana), GP (wounds that received vehicle), and GC (wounds without product application). Wounds were measured immediately after the injury as well as 4, 7, 14 and 21 days post-topical application of the extract. At these days, five rats from each group were euthanatized. Thereafter, samples were fixed in 10% formaldehyde and processed for paraffin embedding. Sections were stained with H.E, Masson's Trichrome and toluidine blue for morphological, morphometrical and histopathological analysis, under light microscopy. The degree of epithelial contraction was measured and mast cell concentrations were also evaluated with an image analyzer (Image Pro-plus®software) . Results: The extract treated group showed lower mast cell concentrations in the 4th day of lesion, as compared to GP (GX<GP=GC, p=0.029), as well as with increased contraction at 7th and 14th days, respectively (7th and 14th days, GX > GP = GC; p<0.05) . Conclusion: Ointment containing 10% X. americana induces a decrease in mast cell concentration, at the beginning of the healing process, and promotes early skin wound contraction in rats

Biflorin: an o-naphthoquinone of clinical significance

Biflorin is an o-naphthoquinone with proven cytotoxic effects on tumor cells showing antimicrobial, antitumor and antimutagenic activities. Biflorin is an isolated compound taken from the roots of the plant Capraria biflora L. (Schrophulariaceae), indigenous of the West Indies and South America, which is located in temperate or tropical areas. This compound has shown to be strongly active against grampositive and alcohol-acid-resistant bacteria. It has been efficient in inhibiting the proliferation tumor cell lines CEM, HL-60, B16, HCT-8 and MCF-7. Recently, SK-Br3 cell line was treated with biflorin showing important cytotoxic effects. In this article, information related to the first structural characterization studies are presented, as well as the latest reports concerning the biological activity of this molecule