Situational Analysis of the Medication Practices in Brazilian Hospitals: A Multicenter Study.

Objective: To carry out a situational analysis of the medication practices in Brazilian hospitals through the Medication Safety Self-Assessment for Hospitals and the factors associated with better performance in the evaluation.

Methods: This is a multicenter cross-sectional study in which the results of the application of the Medication Safety Self-Assessment for Hospitals, between 2015 and 2020, in 30 Brazilian hospitals were described. In addition, whether the institutional profile was associated with higher self-assessment scores (better performance in the evaluation) was also evaluated.

A comprehensive study on bisphenol A and estrogenic activity in the Paraíba do Sul River, São Paulo, Brazil.

In recent decades, contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in aquatic environments have garnered significant attention due to their adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. Among these CECs, bisphenol A (BPA) is a major concern because of its widespread use and endocrine-disrupting properties. Brazil's urbanization and industrial growth have led to significant pollution challenges, primarily due to inadequate sewage infrastructure and untreated domestic wastewater being discharged into rivers, contributing to the presence of emerging contaminants in surface waters.

Medication Literacy Test for Older Adults: psychometric analysis and standardization of the new instrument.

Background: Low medication literacy is prevalent among older adults and is associated with adverse drug events. The Medication Literacy Test for Older Adults (TELUMI) was developed and content validated in a previously published study.

Aim: To evaluate the psychometric properties and provide norms for TELUMI scores.

A general, most basic rule for ion dissociation: Ionized molecules.

Herein we revisit a basic rule for the interpretation of ion chemistry of ionized molecules, first proposed by the pioneers of MS spectra interpretation, but somewhat overlooked over the years. This rule states that, when rationalizing or predicting the dissociation chemistry of an ionized molecule (M), a model analog to the "mobile proton model," that is, a "mobile electron model" via "e-jumping" should be considered. Ground-state M is indeed the first species to be considered, but "e-jumping" may eventually lead to other more energetic electromers-ionized molecules that differ only in the location of the missing electron-and each one of these electromers may dissociate via distinctive routes.

Incidence and reasons for discontinuation of first-line therapy in patients with multiple myeloma: results from a historical cohort, Brazil 2009-2020.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable hematological cancer requiring multiple lines of anti-myeloma regimens to promote disease remission and increase patient survival. The study assessed the incidence and reasons for discontinuation of first-line therapy in outpatients who started MM therapy in Belo Horizonte, Brazil from 2009 to 2020. A historical cohort study in which patients were followed from treatment initiation until discontinuation of first-line therapy.

A general, most basic rule for ion dissociation: Protonated molecules.

Contrary to the common but potentially misleading belief that when a protonated molecule is excited, it is its most stable protomer that will mandatorily dissociate, we demonstrate herein that, when rationalizing or predicting the chemistry of such ions, we should always search for the most labile protomer. This "most labile protomer" rule, based on the mobile proton model, states therefore that when a protonated molecule is heated, during ionization or by collisions for instance, the loosely bonded proton (H ) can acquire enough energy to detach itself from the most basic site of the molecule and then freely "walk through" the molecular framework to eventually find, if available, another protonation site, forming other less stable but more labile protomers, that is, protomers that may display lower dissociation thresholds. To demonstrate the validity of the "most labile protomer" rule as well as the misleading nature of the "most stable protomer" rule, we have selected several illustrative molecules and have collected their ESI(+)-MS/MS.

Incidence of thromboembolism and associated factors in multiple myeloma patients treated with immunomodulatory drugs: a retrospective analysis in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Purpose: The use of immunomodulators in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) patients has been associated with venous thromboembolism (VTE). Due to the increase in mortality of cancer patients, venous thromboembolism is an important concern for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of thromboembolic events and evaluate associated risk factors among Brazilian NDMM patients using immunomodulators.

Machine learning framework for modeling flocculation kinetics using non-intrusive dynamic image analysis.

The implementation of a machine learning (ML) model to improve both the effectiveness and sustainability of the water treatment system is a significant challenge in the water sector, with the optimization of flocculation processes being a major setback. The objective of this study was to develop a ML model for predicting flocs evolution of the flocculation process in water treatment. Furthermore, we have devised a framework for its potential adoption in large-scale water treatment.

Factors associated with potentially inappropriate medications in elderly with multiple myeloma.

Introduction: Elderly with cancer often have multimorbidity, which determines a higher risk of polypharmacy. This is related to negative clinical results such as adverse drug reaction and emergence service visits. Furthermore, polypharmacy increases the risk of using potentially inappropriate medications.

Inulin extraction from Stevia rebaudiana roots in an autoclave.

Inulin is a polymer of d-fructose, characterized by the presence of a terminal glucose, and are a major component of Stevia rebaudiana roots. This type of polymer has nutritional properties and technological applications, such as fat substitutes in low-calorie foods and as the coating of pharmaceuticals. The aim of this study was to evaluate an alternative method for inulin extraction, in terms of extraction time and yield, since the traditional method of extraction under reflux is both time and energy consuming.

Health-related quality of life and use of medication with anticholinergic activity in patients with multiple myeloma.

Purpose: Verify the association between anticholinergic burden and health-related quality of life of patients with multiple myeloma.

Methods: Cross-sectional study with multiple myeloma outpatient from a state capital city in southeastern Brazil. Sociodemographic, clinical, and pharmacotherapeutic variables were collected by interview.

Real-world effectiveness and safety of multiple myeloma treatments based on thalidomide and bortezomib: A retrospective cohort study from 2009 to 2020 in a Brazilian metropolis.

Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable cancer of plasma cells; the survival of which has improved over the years with the emergence of new treatments. In Brazil, the availability of treatment-regimens is different from developed countries. Real-world evidence with Brazilian patients is lacking.

Comparison of three risk assessment models for thromboembolism in multiple myeloma patients receiving immunomodulators: a Brazilian historical cohort.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is among the complications of Multiple Myeloma (MM) and may occur in up to 10% of this patient population. However, medications used in MM therapy such as immunomodulators (IMID) may raise these rates. Thus, risk prediction models have been developed to quantify the risk of VTE in MM patients.

Development and content validation of the medication literacy test for older adults (TELUMI).

Objectives: Medication literacy comprises the skills needed to access, understand, and act on medication information. Low medication literacy is frequent among older adults, making them more susceptible to negative health outcomes. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the content validity of an instrument to measure medication literacy in this population.

Factors Associated with the Effectiveness of Regimens for the Treatment of Tuberculosis in Patients Coinfected with HIV/AIDS: Cohort 2015 to 2019.

(1) Background: Infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a significant challenge for tuberculosis (TB) control, with increasing mortality rates worldwide. Moreover, the loss to follow-up is very high, with low adherence to treatment, resulting in unfavorable endpoints. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of TB treatment in patients coinfected with HIV/AIDS and its associated factors.

Neuropsychiatric adverse drug reactions and associated factors in a cohort of individuals starting dolutegravir-based or efavirenz-based antiretroviral therapy in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Objective: To measure the incidence of neuropsychiatric adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in individuals living with HIV who initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART) with first-line regimens containing dolutegravir (DTG) or efavirenz (EFV) and associated factors.

Methods: Prospective cohort study with individuals living with HIV who started ART with DTG or EFV associated with tenofovir disoproxil and lamivudine in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected from September 2015 to October 2018 in three specialized HIV care services through interviews, clinical records, and computerized systems.

Factors Associated With the Occurrence of Adverse Effects Resulting From Hypodermoclysis in Older Adults in Palliative Care: A Cohort Study.

This study aimed to analyze the factors associated with local adverse effects resulting from hypodermoclysis in older adult patients in palliative care. The study involved 127 older adults undergoing palliative care at a hospital in southeastern Brazil. Data collection was performed from August to November 2019.

The Medication Experience of TB/HIV Coinfected Patients: Qualitative Study.

Tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) pharmacotherapy and the stigma related to both diseases are complex. The patients' subjective experiences with diseases and medications are of utmost importance in pharmaceutical care practice. This study aimed to understand the subjective medication experience of TB and HIV/AIDS coinfected patients.

Assessment of Pharmaceutical Services for Smoking Cessation: An Effectiveness-Implementation Hybrid Study.

Smoking is the main preventable cause of illness and early death worldwide. Thus, it is better to promote smoking cessation than to treat tobacco-related diseases. The objective of this study was to assess the implementation and effectiveness of smoking cessation pharmaceutical services offered in primary health care (PHC) in a large Brazilian city through a type 1 effectiveness-implementation hybrid study.

Consensus on the criteria for patient prioritization in hospital clinical pharmacy services: a Delphi study.

Background: Hospital pharmacists cannot provide extensive clinical pharmacy service to every inpatient because the demand for these services can exceed pharmacists' available work time. A way to solve this issue is hospital pharmacists to prioritize their clinical tasks. Tool prioritization could determine which patients would benefit from clinical pharmacists' input.

Active Pharmacovigilance Project on the safety profile of Dolutegravir in Brazil.

A quantitative descriptive study based on Brazilian Active Pharmacovigilance of Dolutegravir (DTG) Project was performed to describe the adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to DTG reported and to evaluate the noncompleteness of data from DTG active pharmacovigilance in Brazil. ADRs and clinical and individual data were obtained from information from the Pharmacovigilance Questionnaire from April 2017 to August 2019. The reported ADRs were classified using the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA).

Effect of therapeutic regimens and polypharmacy on health-related quality of life of people with multiple myeloma: a cross-sectional study in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Objective: Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable hematological cancer and its treatment is geared to promote better Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). We aimed to assess HRQoL and compare scores between variables on therapeutic regimens and polypharmacy in MM patients.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed from April/2019 to February/2020 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

The use of an electronic medication organizer device with alarm to improve medication adherence of older adults with hypertension.

Objective: To examine whether the use of a monthly electronic medication organizer device equipped with an alarm clock, called Electronic System for Personal and Controlled Use of Medications (Supermed), improves medication adherence of older adults with hypertension.

Methods: This is a quali-quantitative, prospective, before-and-after study performed with 32 older adult patients with diagnosis of hypertension, who were recruited at a Primary Care Unit in Brazil.

Results: The main outcome measures were improvement of medication adherence and blood pressure control after intervention with Supermed.

Design of Nanostructured Lipid Carriers Containing (Palmarosa) Essential Oil against .

Palmarosa essential oil (PEO) is an alternative to synthetic fungicides to control the contamination by food-deteriorating fungi, such as . Nonetheless, the low long-term stability and volatility hamper its utilization. Thus, this study aimed to develop nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) containing PEO to improve its stability and consequently prolong the activity against .