Optimization of a saccharin molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction procedure and evaluation by MIR hyperspectral imaging for analysis of diet tea by HPLC.

Saccharin was determined based on a new molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction (MISPE) procedure. The polymer was synthesized with a hybrid monomer of metacrylic acid and 3-amino propril tetraethoxysilane and saccharin as template. After the synthesis, the saccharin removal from the MIP was verified by the UV analysis of the solutions used in the template removal procedure, as well as by the direct MIP analysis using FTIR hyperspectral image and chemometrics. The residual saccharin concentrations observed in the image analysis revealed a narrow concentration distribution consistent with a homogenous material. The MISPE was performed with homemade cartridges containing 200 mg of the MIP. The results obtained with standards and diet tea samples confirmed high affinity, adsorption capacity and selectivity of the MIP. The MISPE cartridge exhibited recoveries of 100 ± 3% in six extraction cycles. The diet tea analysis showed a significant reduction of the interferences, which can considerable simplifies the HPLC-UV analysis.

Implementation of a Brazilian Cardioprotective Nutritional (BALANCE) Program for improvement on quality of diet and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events: A randomized, multicenter trial

Background Complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with higher ischemic risk, which can be mitigated by long-term dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). However, concomitant high bleeding risk (HBR) may be present, making it unclear whether short- or long-term DAPT should be prioritized. Objectives This study investigated the effects of ischemic (by PCI complexity) and bleeding (by PRECISE-DAPT [PRE dicting bleeding Complications in patients undergoing stent Implantation and Sub sequent Dual Anti Platelet Therapy] score) risks on clinical outcomes and on the impact of DAPT duration after coronary stenting. Methods Complex PCI was defined as ≥3 stents implanted and/or ≥3 lesions treated, bifurcation stenting and/or stent length >60 mm, and/or chronic total occlusion revascularization. Ischemic and bleeding outcomes in high (≥25) or non-high (<25) PRECISE-DAPT strata were evaluated based on randomly allocated duration of DAPT. Results Among 14,963 patients from 8 randomized trials, 3,118 underwent complex PCI and experienced a higher rate of ischemic, but not bleeding, events. Long-term DAPT in non-HBR patients reduced ischemic events in both complex (absolute risk difference: −3.86%; 95% confidence interval: −7.71 to +0.06) and noncomplex PCI strata (absolute risk difference: −1.14%; 95% confidence interval: −2.26 to −0.02), but not among HBR patients, regardless of complex PCI features. The bleeding risk according to the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction scale was increased by long-term DAPT only in HBR patients, regardless of PCI complexity. Conclusions Patients who underwent complex PCI had a higher risk of ischemic events, but benefitted from long-term DAPT only if HBR features were not present. These data suggested that when concordant, bleeding, more than ischemic risk, should inform decision-making on the duration of DAPT. (AU)

Determination of chronological order of crossed lines of ballpoint pens by hyperspectral image in the visible region and multivariate analysis.

Determining the chronological order of crossed lines is a recurrent problem in forensic analysis of documents. One of the most important requirement of these analyses is the use of non-destructive techniques to maintain the integrity of the documents for further analysis as judicial evidences. Thus, this work proposes an objective, non-destructive, easy-to-execute analysis protocol for forensic analysis, using the hyperspectral mode of the VSC6000®, which is an equipment found in most laboratories of questioned documents. Seven blue ballpoint pens of different brands were used to make crossings on white paper, a total of 49. The spectra were obtained from 400 to 1000 nm, and analyzed with HYPER-Tools. Initially, univariate analysis was used, selecting discriminating wavelengths to visualize the images and determine the chronological order of the crossings, and then, when necessary, a multivariate approach using Multivariate Curve Resolution - Alternating Least Squares (MCR-ALS) was applied. The interpretation of the order was made visually, taking into account characteristics of the strokes, such as the continuity and amount of ink. In this way, it was possible to determine the chronological order of 31/49 crossings, which corresponds to an overall rate of 63% accuracy. The method was validated by performing a double-blind test with 8 crossings, which indicated only a small influence of the analyst. The method was also applied to the analysis of a police inquiry, which was provided by the Federal Police and compared with the routine analyzes. The results were concordant but the proposed method provided a more objective analysis than the ones currently in practice at the Police.