Comparison of two extraction methods for the determination of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in sewage sludge by hollow fiber liquid-phase microextraction.

This paper presents two procedures for the determination of four selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (citalopram, paroxetine, fluoxetine, and sertraline) and one metabolite (norfluoxetine) in sewage sludge utilizing three-phase hollow fiber liquid-phase microextraction (HF-LPME). First, direct HF-LPME was used for extraction, clean-up, and preconcentration. The pharmaceuticals were extracted from slurry samples into an organic phase and then back-extracted into an aqueous phase in the lumen of the hollow fiber. Second, a procedure combining pressurized hot water extraction and HF-LPME for clean-up and preconcentration was developed for the same analytes and matrix. The extracts were subsequently analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. For direct HF-LPME, limits of detection were between 1 and 12 ng g(-1) (dry weight) and the relative standard deviation (RSD) values were 3-12%. For the second method, limits of detection were approximately 6 ng g(-1) for all the compounds and RSD values were 8-12%. The methods were validated by comparison of results for the same samples. Sewage sludge from a Swedish wastewater treatment plant was analyzed by both methods; average concentrations were similar for citalopram, paroxetine, and fluoxetine with values of approximately 530, 40, and 200 ng g(-1) , respectively.

Flexural Strength of Dental Fiber Composite Post Manufactured with a Novel Approach.

Thermoplastic resin fiber composites have an easy fabrication process, good mechanical properties, and compatible stiffness to tooth dentin. However, they have not yet attracted much interest in the field of dentistry. The current study was carried out to test a new proposed approach to manufacture a fiber reinforced composite endodontic post and evaluate its flexural strength through a two-point inclined loading test. The proposed fiber post manufacture approach depends upon a braiding technique of the glass fibers' (GF) reinforcing component with thermoplastic polypropylene (PP) resin fibers that will later represent the resin matrix after thermal melting. Posts were made of different core (70%) and sheath (30%) construction (PP/GF ratios) using three different GF types and seizing pre-treatment to both fiber types. Two-point inclined loading test at 45 °C applied force angle was used to test the posts' flexural strength. Fiber posts (1.6 mm in diameter) with pure GF (de-sized starch E-GF and pre-silanized S-GF) core, and sheath construction with higher PP/GF ratios, showed the significantly highest two-point bending strength (56.67 ± 4.89 and 53.96 ± 1.81 MPa, respectively), among experimental posts groups (except for the commercial control posts). However, posts with PP core type showed the lowest values (21.59 ± 1.86 and 16.54 ± 1.94 MPa for de-sized and E-glass sheath fibers, respectively). Based on these findings, the proposed approach was reliable in producing fiber-reinforced composite post with the desired dimensions and fiber distribution. Post construction with a pure GF core and higher PP/GF ratio showed considerably higher flexural strength and GF volume fraction comparable to commercial available post types.

Use of absorbent materials in on-line coupled reversed-phase liquid chromatography-gas chromatography via the through oven transfer adsorption desorption interface.

The use of absorbents as retaining materials in the through oven transfer adsorption desorption interface (TOTAD) of an on-line coupled reversed-phase liquid chromatography-gas chromatography system (RPLC-GC) is proposed for the first time. A comparative study of an adsorbent (Tenax TA) and two absorbents, namely polydimethylsiloxane and poly(50% phenyl/50% methylsiloxane) is performed to establish the best experimental conditions for the automated and simultaneous determination of 15 organophosphorus and organochlorine pesticide residues in olive oil. The proposed method provides satisfactory repeatability (RSDs lower, in general, than 8.5%) and sensitivity (limits of detection ranging from 0.6 to 81.9 microg/L) for the investigated compounds.

Analysis of unsaponifiable compounds of edible oils by automated on-line coupling reversed-phase liquid chromatography-gas chromatography using the through oven transfer adsorption desorption interface.

An automated method for analysis of unsaponifiable compounds in edible oils is presented. The method involves the on-line coupling of reversed-phase liquid chromatography and gas chromatography (LC-GC) using the through oven transfer adsorption desorption (TOTAD) interface. The oil is injected directly with no sample pretreatment step other than filtration. It may also be considered to dilute the oil sample. In the LC step, a short C4 column using a methanol/water eluent separates analytes from the other components of the oils, which are made up of mainly triglycerides. A LC fraction of up to 1.6 mL containing the analytes is transferred to GC at a flow rate of 0.1-2 mL/min. The TOTAD interface allows solvent venting and the introduction of the analytes into the GC column. The proposed fully automated method allows the analysis of different groups of compounds (free sterols, tocopherols, squalene, and erythrodiol and uvaol) in one chromatographic run or the analysis of these compounds in different groups. Sensitivity is more than necessary, and repeatability is good, the CV ranging from 3 to 12% for the full analysis.

Study of the uptake of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs in wheat and soybean after application of sewage sludge as a fertilizer.

Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequently occurring in sludge and waters from sewage treatment plants (STPs). Sludge obtained from sewage treatment is often applied as a fertilizer in agriculture and not many studies about the uptake of pharmaceuticals into crops can be found. In this paper, we present a greenhouse experiment to study the presence of four NSAIDs (naproxen, ketoprofen, diclofenac and ibuprofen) in two different crops (soybean and wheat) after application of sludge as a fertilizer. Two different amounts of sludge were added to the soil; the recommended amount (with respect to phosphorus content) and the double recommended amount. One treatment without sludge was also included as a blank. The crops were harvested after 60 as well as 110 days. Only diclofenac and ibuprofen were detected in the sludge in concentrations of 22 and 217 ng g(-1) dry weight, respectively. None of the NSAIDs were detected in the crops from any of the treatments. Compared to the amounts applied to the soil, detection limits correspond to an uptake of less than 2% for diclofenac and 0.8% for ibuprofen.

Primary angioplasty in Northern Galicia: care changes and results following implementation of the PROGALIAM protocol.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To analyze changes in healthcare delivery and results for primary angioplasty at Centro Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña following implementation of the PROGALIAM protocol. METHODS: Observational registry of 1434 patients referred for primary angioplasty between 2003 and 2007. Results under PROGALIAM (May 2005 - December 2007; n=963) were compared with those from the preceding period (January 2003 - April 2005; n=388). RESULTS: After implementing PROGALIAM, there were increases in the number of primary angioplasty procedures (preceding period, 14.4 cases/month; PROGALIAM, 32.2 cases/month), mean patient age (preceding period, 61.3 (11.9) years; PROGALIAM, 64.2 (11.7) years; P<.001), and the percentage of patients referred from peripheral hospitals and treated after normal working hours. Overall median first medical contact-to-balloon time increased (previous period, 106 min; PROGALIAM, 113 min; P=.02), but decreased significantly among patients referred from noninterventional centers (previous period, 171 min; PROGALIAM, 146 min; P<.001). Percentage of cases with an first medical contact-to-balloon time <120 min remained unchanged among interventional-center patients (preceding period, 69%; PROGALIAM, 71%; P=.56) and increased among patients at noninterventional centers, although it remained low in this subgroup (preceding period, 17%; PROGALIAM, 30%; P=.04). Thirty-day mortality (preceding period, 5.2%; PROGALIAM, 6.2%; P=.85) and 1-year mortality (preceding period, 9.5%; PROGALIAM, 10.2%; P=.96) remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of PROGALIAM allowed us to increase the percentage of patients receiving primary angioplasty without jeopardizing the clinical results of this treatment.

Potencial resiliente en familias con adolescentes que consumen y no consumen alcohol / Resilient potential in families with teenagers who consume and do not consume alcohol / Potencial resiliente em famílias com adolescentes que consome e não consomem álcool

La adolescencia es un periodo crítico para el inicio y desarrollo de las adicciones. Para los padres de familia cada vez son más comunes las adversidades relacionadas con el consumo de alcohol de sus hijos adolescentes y las consecuencias para el desarrollo de estos. El propósito de esta investigación fue establecer si el funcionamiento familiar predice el potencial resiliente de padres con hijos adolescentes que consumen o no consumen alcohol. Participaron de manera voluntaria 140 padres y madres de familia con un hijo adolescente que presentaba un consumo riesgoso de alcohol y 187 padres y madres de familia con un adolescente que no consumía alcohol. Se aplicaron las escalas de Potencial Resiliente (García & García-Méndez, 2013) y Funcionamiento Familiar (García-Méndez, Rivera, Reyes-Lagunes, Díaz-Loving, 2006). Los resultados de las regresiones paso a paso indican que el Potencial Resiliente de los padres y madres de familia es predicho por los factores de Ambiente Familiar Positivo y Mando/Problemas en la Expresión de las Emociones de la Escala de Funcionamiento Familiar.

Adolescence is a critical period for initiating and developing addictions. For parents, adversities related to alcohol consumption of their adolescent children and their implications for development are increasingly common. The purpose of this research was to establish if family functioning predicts the resilient potential of parents with teenage children who consume or do not consume alcohol. Participants were 140 volunteer parents with a teenage child who had a risky consumption of alcohol and 187 parents with a teenager who did not consume alcohol. The Resilient Potential Scale (García & García-Méndez, in press) and the Family Functioning Scale (García-Méndez, Rivera, Reyes-Lagunes & Díaz-Loving, 2006) were administered. The results of stepwise regressions indicate that parents' Resilient Potential is predicted by the factors Positive Family Environment and Command /Problems on the Emotional Expression of the Family Functioning Scale.

A adolescência é um período crítico para o início e desenvolvimento dos vícios. Para os pais de família cada vez são mais comuns as adversidades relacionadas com o consumo de álcool de seus filhos adolescentes e as consequências para o desenvolvimento deles. O propósito desta pesquisa foi estabelecer se o funcionamento familiar prevê o potencial resiliente de pais com filhos adolescentes que consomem ou não consomem álcool. Participaram de maneira voluntária 140 pais e mães de família com um filho adolescente que apresentava um consumo arriscado de álcool e 187 pais e mães de família com um adolescente que não consumia álcool. Aplicaram-se as escalas de Potencial Resilente (García & García-Méndez, 2013) e Funcionamento Familiar (García-Méndez, Rivera, Reyes-Lagunes & Díaz-Loving, 2006). Os resultados das regressões passo a passo indicam que o Potencial Resiliente dos pais e das mães de família é previsto pelos fatores de Ambiente Familiar Positivo e Mando/Problemas na Expressão das Emoções da Escala de Funcionamento Familiar.