The potency of blumeatin and luteolin as caspase-1 inhibitor by molecular docking

COVID-19 infection induces inflammation by increasing cytokines such as IL-1b, IL-6, IL-18, IFN-γ, and TNF-α. IL-1b is generated by the involvement of caspase-1. Therefore, caspase-1 inhibitor can be potential for inflammation therapy caused by COVID-19 infection. This study aims to determine the potential of blumeatin and luteolin as anti-inflammatory agents by inhibiting caspase-1 using a molecular docking approach. This study was carried out by caspase-1 (PDB ID: 1RWK) preparation, blumeatin and luteolin structure optimization, docking protocol validation, and docking of blumeatin and luteolin on caspase-1. Bluematin and luteolin had a binding affinity of -5,63 kcal/mol and -5,93 kcal/mol, lower than Q158 native ligand (-3.92 kcal/mol). Similar amino acid residues in hydrogen bonds interaction were observed between Q158 native ligand, blumeatin, and luteolin with caspase-1 (GLN 283 and ARG 179). Blumeatin and luteolin are potentially anti-inflammation agents through the inhibition of the caspase-1 in silico.

Chagas Disease: Perspectives on the Past and Present and Challenges in Drug Discovery

Chagas disease still has no effective treatment option for all of its phases despite being discovered more than 100 years ago. The development of commercial drugs has been stagnating since the 1960s, a fact that sheds light on the question of how drug discovery research has progressed and taken advantage of technological advances. Could it be that technological advances have not yet been sufficient to resolve this issue or is there a lack of protocol, validation and standardization of the data generated by different research teams? This work presents an overview of commercial drugs and those that have been evaluated in studies and clinical trials so far. A brief review is made of recent target-based and phenotypic studies based on the search for molecules with anti-Trypanosoma cruzi action. It also discusses how proteochemometric (PCM) modeling and microcrystal electron diffraction (MicroED) can help in the case of the lack of a 3D protein structure; more specifically, Trypanosoma cruzi carbonic anhydrase.

Biochemical parameters and nutritional status of surgical patients with gastrointestinal cancer: a literature review

ABSTRACT This is an integrative literature review with the objective of identifying the relationship between biochemical parameters and the nutritional status of surgical patients with cancer of the gastrointestinal tract, developed in April 2019, encompassing the databases SCOPUS (Elsevier), PubMed Central® (PMC), and the Cochrane Virtual Health Library (BVS). We used the terms “Gastrointestinal Neoplasm” AND “Nutritional Status” AND “Blood Chemical Analysis” with the aid of the Academical software after the protocol validation. Out of 147 articles analyzed, seven were included in the review, as they met the inclusion criteria. There were relevant associations between biochemical parameters and nutritional status. Impaired nutritional status can negatively influence the postoperative outcome. The monitoring of interdisciplinary teams can assist in the recovery of these patients and prevent unfavorable outcomes.

Implementación y validación de un protocolo de IGRT basado en imagen de kV de fluoroscopia y CBCT para el tratamiento de SBRT pulmonar

The aim of this work is to describe our Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) protocol for lung Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) together with the evaluation of the results from applying this protocol over a sample of 47 patients analyzed retrospectively. Simulation time-resolved four-dimensional CT (4DCT) images are acquired taking into account the respiratory cycle of the patient. During the treatment, using VMAT technique, pre- and post- treatment Cone Beam Computer Tomography (CBCT), as well as intrafraction fluoroscopy whenever possible due to lesion position visualization, are performed to verify tumor amplitude motion and position. Fluoroscopy image was acquired in 72% of patients analyzed, from which 71% verified the right position against 29% who needed to be reposition by using intrafraction CBCT at least in one fraction. Post-treatment CBCT systematic and random errors are below 1 mm, thereby protocol validation is accepted. Fluoroscopy manages to verify tumor position accuracy depending on high contrast visualization. However, in comparison to intrafraction CBCT, it involves reducing treatment duration and minimizing dose to patient. Fluoroscopy, in conjunction with CBCT, allows monitoring motion during the treatment.

Nursing care after coronary transluminal angioplasty: protocol validation

Objetivos: Validar un protocolo de cuidados elaborado para clientes post-angioplastia transluminal coronaria.Métodos: Para validación del protocolo, se utilizó la técnica Delphi, contando con un panel de nueve jueces, todos enfermeros con experiencia en el área de cardiología. Además de la evaluación cualitativa, según preconiza la técnica Delphi, se utilizaron medidas cuantitativas como el índice de validez de contenido y la tasa de concordancia.Resultados: De acuerdo con las sugerencias hechas por los expertos en cada ronda, el documento fue ajustado hasta alcanzar la tasa de concordancia e índice de validez de contenido de por lo menos 0,9, siendo necesarias tres rondas de cuestionarios.Conclusión: El protocolo de validación se considera la herramienta para guiar la práctica de las personas que trabajan en esta área específica. Objectives: To validate an elaborate care protocol for clients after coronary transluminal angioplasty.Methods: For the validation of the protocol, the Delphi technique was used, counting on a panel of nine judges, all nurses with expertise in the area of cardiology. In addition to the qualitative evaluation, as recommended by the Delphi technique, we used quantitative measures such as the content validity index and the agreement rate.Results: According to the suggestions made by the experts in each round, the document was adjusted to reach the agreement rate and content validity index of at least 0,9, requiring three rounds of questionnaires.Conclusion: The validated protocol is considered a tool to guide the practice of nurses working in this specific area. Objetivo: Validar um protocolo de cuidados elaborado para clientes pós-angioplastia transluminal coronariana. Métodos: Para validação do protocolo, foi utilizada a técnica Delphi, contando com um painel de nove juízes, todos enfermeiros com expertise na área de cardiologia. Além da avaliação qualitativa, conforme preconiza a técnica Delphi, utilizou-se medidas quantitativas como o índice de validade de conteúdo e a taxa de concordância. Resultados: De acordo com as sugestões feitas pelos especialistas em cada rodada, o documento foi ajustado até atingir a taxa de concordância e índice de validade de conteúdo de no mínimo 0,9, sendo necessárias três rodadas de questionários. Conclusões: Considera-se o protocolo validado uma ferramenta para nortear a prática do enfermeiro que atua nesta área específica.

Aspects of an automatic system of implants of radioac-tive seeds and anatomic object simulator for tests in prostate brachytherapy.

This work presents the development of an automatic radioactive seed implantation system (PSIS). PSIS may assist the testing permanent implants procedure in the prostate. These tests will be important in measurements of absorbed doses in the pelvic structures, involving the organs and tissues at risk to improve planning, seed positioning and dosimetry. The automated Prostate Seed Implant System (PSIS) has been designed to meet operational needs, which offers the freedom when positioning the brachytherapy needle inside the treatment area ensuring repeatability and fidelity to the planned treatment. Both the ultrasound probe and the seed implant needle are driven by stepper motors, ATMEGA microcontroller, bearings, aluminum shafts and a GUI (Graphical User Interface). Movement of both the probe and the needle holder was performed by fixed spindle on a threaded rod going through a stepper motors by a coupling. These engines were chosen due to the necessity of movements precision that these types of motors provide. The project was developed and the PSIS prototype was assembled. The prototype presented acceptable operating characteristics for prostate implants. The advantage of this system is that the automation of the application provides an accurate positioning and movement of both probe and seed application. In addition to this study, seeds implantation tests will be performed, and such tests will be essential in protocol validation processes.