Protocol of a clinical trial on the effectiveness of pudendal nerve block with and without neurostimulation in reducing posthemorroidectomy pain.

INTRODUCTION: Hemorrhoidal pathology is the most frequent proctological problem with a prevalence of 44% of the adult population. The most effective treatment is surgery but it also has the highest postoperative pain rate with moderate to severe pain rates of 30-40% during the first 24-48 hours. Here lies the importance of seeking measures to improve this situation, such as the pudendal nerve block with local anesthetic. However, the variability of the pudendal nerve sometimes makes its blockade ineffective and for this reason nerve location methods are sought to achieve a higher rate of success. The main aim of the study is to compare pain in the immediate postoperative period (24 h) after hemorrhoidectomy in patients with pudendal nerve block guided by anatomical references and guided by neurostimulation. METHODS: The present project proposes the performance of a single-center, triple-blind, randomized clinical trial of efficacy, carried out under conditions of routine clinical practice. Patients over 18 years old with hemorrhoids refractory to medical treatment, symptomatic grade III-IV and grade II hemorrhoids that do not respond to conservative procedures in a third level hospital in Spain and that are subsidiaries of surgery in major ambulatory surgery will be included. Demographic variables, variables on hemorrhoidal pathology, details of surgery, verbal numeric pain scale in the preoperative period and surgical complications will be collected. RESULTS: Not avaliable until the end of the study. CONCLUSIONS: The pudendal nerve block guided by anatomical landmarks has been shown to be useful in postoperative pain control after hemorrhoidectomy although the use of the neurostimulator has not been well studied and we believe it may improve outcom.

Potential Therapeutic Properties of Olea europaea Leaves from Selected Cultivars Based on Their Mineral and Organic Profiles.

Olive leaves are consumed as an extract or as a whole herbal powder with several potential therapeutic benefits attributed to polyphenols, tocopherol's isomers, and flavonoids, among others. This study assessed the potential variance in the functional features presented by olive leaves from three different Portuguese cultivars-Cobrançosa, Madural, and Verdeal-randomly mix-cultivated in the geographical area of Vale de Salgueiros. Inorganic analysis determined their mineral profiles while an organic analysis measured their total phenolic and flavonoid content, and scanned their phenolic and tocopherol and fatty acid composition. The extracts' biological activity was tested by determining their antimicrobial and antioxidant power as well as their ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, MAO-A/B, and angiotensin-I-converting enzyme. The inorganic profiles showed them to be an inexpensive source able to address different mineral deficiencies. All cultivars appear to have potential for use as possible antioxidants and future alternative antibiotics against some multidrug-resistant microorganisms, with caution regarding the arsenic content in the Verdeal cultivar. Madural's extract displayed properties to be considered a natural multitarget treatment for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, depression, and cardiometabolic and dual activity for blood pressure modulation. This work indicates that randomly cultivating different cultivars significantly modifies the leaves' composition while keeping their multifaceted therapeutic value.

Partial-accelerated irradiation with stereotactic radiotherapy at a dose of 30 Gy in 5 fractions in early breast cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate feasibility of accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) using stereotactic radiotherapy (SBRT) Thirty Gy delivered in 5 fractions for patients with early breast cancer. METHODS: Between January 1st, 2018, and December 31s, 2022, we conducted 117 treatments for patients with early-stage breast cancer. All patients underwent conservative surgery followed by APBI using stereotactic external beam radiotherapy. We analyzed local, regional, distant control, overall survival, toxicity, and cosmetic outcomes. RESULTS: The average age was 62 years. 21.3% ductal and 78.7% invasive carcinomas. Regarding the PTV volume, the median was 198.8 cc (38-794 cc). Treatments were completed in all cases. The median follow-up period was of 21 months (1-62 months). Regarding acute toxicity, no Grade 3-4 toxicities were recorded. One patient experienced Grade 2 neuropathic pain. One patient developed subacute fibrosis and two patients developed telangiectasia as subacute and chronic toxicity. Cosmetic results were "good" or "very good" in 96.3% of cases. None of the patients relapsed at any level (local, regional, or distant) and overall survival during follow.up was 100%. CONCLUSION: APBI with SBRT 30 Gy in 5 fractions in early-stage breast cancer is a feasible technique, very-well tolerated and has excellent oncologic and cosmetic outcome during our follow-up period.

From Plants to Psycho-Neurology: Unravelling the Therapeutic Benefits of Bioactive Compounds in Brain Disorders.

The brain's sensitivity to oxidative stress and neuronal cell death requires effective pharmacotherapy approaches. Current pharmacological therapies are frequently ineffective and display negative side effects. Bioactive chemicals found in plants may provide a potential alternative due to their antioxidant and neuroprotective properties and can be used in therapy and the management of a variety of neuropsychiatric, neurodevelopmental, and neurodegenerative illnesses. Several natural products, including vitamin C, Cammelia sinensis polyphenols, Hypericum perforatum, and Crocus sativus have shown promise in lowering oxidative stress and treating symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD). Similarly, bioactive compounds such as curcumin, luteolin, resveratrol, quercetin, and plants like Acorus gramineus, Rhodiola rosea, and Ginkgo biloba are associated with neuroprotective effects and symptom improvement in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Furthermore, in neurodegenerative diseases, natural compounds from Rhodiola rosea, Morinda lucida, and Glutinous rehmannia provide neurological improvement. Further study in clinical samples is required to thoroughly investigate the therapeutic advantages of these bioactive substances for persons suffering from these illnesses.

The Impact of BDNF, NTRK2, NGFR, CREB1, GSK3B, AKT, MAPK1, MTOR, PTEN, ARC, and SYN1 Genetic Polymorphisms in Antidepressant Treatment Response Phenotypes.

This study aimed to investigate the influence of genetic variants in neuroplasticity-related genes on antidepressant treatment phenotypes. The BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway, as well as the downstream kinases Akt and ERK and the mTOR pathway, have been implicated in depression and neuroplasticity. However, clinicians still struggle with the unpredictability of antidepressant responses in depressed patients. We genotyped 26 polymorphisms in BDNF, NTRK2, NGFR, CREB1, GSK3B, AKT, MAPK1, MTOR, PTEN, ARC, and SYN1 in 80 patients with major depressive disorder treated according to the Texas Medical Algorithm for 27 months at Hospital Magalhães Lemos, Porto, Portugal. Our results showed that BDNF rs6265, PTEN rs12569998, and SYN1 rs1142636 SNP were associated with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Additionally, MAPK1 rs6928 and GSK3B rs6438552 gene polymorphisms were associated with relapse. Moreover, we found a link between the rs6928 MAPK1 polymorphism and time to relapse. These findings suggest that the BDNF, PTEN, and SYN1 genes may play a role in the development of TRD, while MAPK1 and GSK3B may be associated with relapse. GO analysis revealed enrichment in synaptic and trans-synaptic transmission pathways and glutamate receptor activity with TRD-associated genes. Genetic variants in these genes could potentially be incorporated into predictive models of antidepressant response.

Microextraction by Packed Sorbent as a Clean-up Approach for the Determination of Ketamine and Norketamine in Hair by Gas Chromatography--Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

The use of new psychoactive substances has been increasing and constitutes a social and public health problem, and hence, toxicological analysis has become of utmost importance for the detection of such substances. In this article, we present the development and full validation of a simple, user and environmentally friendly, cheap and suitable method for the determination of ketamine and its main metabolite norketamine in hair samples. The procedure included using a miniaturized procedure-microextraction by packed sorbent with mixed-mode sorbent-for sample clean-up. Organic solvents use was minimal, and it was possible to obtain a linear method (0.05-10 ng/mg for both analytes). The extraction efficiency ranged from 32 to 61%, which did not impair sensitivity. The method proved to be selective, precise, accurate and suitable for routine analysis for the determination of said compounds in 50-mg hair samples.

Multi-target neuroprotective effects of herbal medicines for Alzheimer's disease.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, but its treatment options remain few and ineffective. To find new therapeutic strategies, natural products have gained interest due to their neuroprotective potential, being able to target different pathological hallmarks associated with this disorder. Several plant species are traditionally used due to their empirical neuroprotective effects and it is worth to explore their mechanism of action. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study intended to explore the neuroprotective potential of seven traditional medicinal plants, namely Scutellaria baicalensis, Ginkgo biloba, Hypericum perforatum, Curcuma longa, Lavandula angustifolia, Trigonella foenum-graecum and Rosmarinus officinalis. The safety assessment with reference to pesticides residues was also aimed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Decoctions prepared from these species were chemically characterized by HPLC-DAD and screened for their ability to scavenge four different free radicals (DPPH•, ABTS•+, O2•‒ and •NO) and to inhibit enzymes related to neurodegeneration (cholinesterases and glycogen synthase kinase-3ß). Cell viability through MTT assay was also evaluated in two different brain cell lines, namely non-tumorigenic D3 human brain endothelial cells (hCMEC/D3) and NSC-34 motor neurons. Furthermore, and using GC, 21 pesticides residues were screened. RESULTS: Regarding chemical composition, chromatographic analysis revealed the presence of several flavonoids, phenolic acids, curcuminoids, phenolic diterpenoids, one alkaloid and one naphthodianthrone in the seven decoctions. All extracts were able to scavenge free radicals and were moderate glycogen synthase kinase-3ß inhibitors; however, they displayed weak to moderate acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibition. G. biloba and L. angustifolia decoctions were the less cytotoxic to hCMEC/D3 and NSC-34 cell lines. No pesticides residues were detected. CONCLUSIONS: The results extend the knowledge on the potential use of plant extracts to combat multifactorial disorders, giving new insights into therapeutic avenues for Alzheimer's disease.

High compression deep learning based single-pixel hyperspectral macroscopic fluorescence lifetime imaging in vivo.

Single pixel imaging frameworks facilitate the acquisition of high-dimensional optical data in biological applications with photon starved conditions. However, they are still limited to slow acquisition times and low pixel resolution. Herein, we propose a convolutional neural network for fluorescence lifetime imaging with compressed sensing at high compression (NetFLICS-CR), which enables in vivo applications at enhanced resolution, acquisition and processing speeds, without the need for experimental training datasets. NetFLICS-CR produces intensity and lifetime reconstructions at 128 × 128 pixel resolution over 16 spectral channels while using only up to 1% of the required measurements, therefore reducing acquisition times from ∼2.5 hours at 50% compression to ∼3 minutes at 99% compression. Its potential is demonstrated in silico, in vitro and for mice in vivo through the monitoring of receptor-ligand interactions in liver and bladder and further imaging of intracellular delivery of the clinical drug Trastuzumab to HER2-positive breast tumor xenografts. The data acquisition time and resolution improvement through NetFLICS-CR, facilitate the translation of single pixel macroscopic flurorescence lifetime imaging (SP-MFLI) for in vivo monitoring of lifetime properties and drug uptake.

Macroalgae as a Source of Valuable Antimicrobial Compounds: Extraction and Applications.

In the last few decades, attention on new natural antimicrobial compounds has arisen due to a change in consumer preferences and the increase in the number of resistant microorganisms. Macroalgae play a special role in the pursuit of new active molecules as they have been traditionally consumed and are known for their chemical and nutritional composition and their biological properties, including antimicrobial activity. Among the bioactive molecules of algae, proteins and peptides, polysaccharides, polyphenols, polyunsaturated fatty acids and pigments can be highlighted. However, for the complete obtaining and incorporation of these molecules, it is essential to achieve easy, profitable and sustainable recovery of these compounds. For this purpose, novel liquid-liquid and solid-liquid extraction techniques have been studied, such as supercritical, ultrasound, microwave, enzymatic, high pressure, accelerated solvent and intensity pulsed electric fields extraction techniques. Moreover, different applications have been proposed for these compounds, such as preservatives in the food or cosmetic industries, as antibiotics in the pharmaceutical industry, as antibiofilm, antifouling, coating in active packaging, prebiotics or in nanoparticles. This review presents the main antimicrobial potential of macroalgae, their specific bioactive compounds and novel green extraction technologies to efficiently extract them, with emphasis on the antibacterial and antifungal data and their applications.

Microextraction by Packed Sorbent as a Novel Strategy for Sample Clean-Up in the Determination of Methadone and EDDP in Hair.

A microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) procedure for rapid concentration of methadone and its primary metabolite (EDDP) in hair samples was developed. The miniaturized approach coupled to gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS-MS) was successfully validated. Hair samples (50 mg) were incubated with 1 mL of 1 M sodium hydroxide for 45 min at 50°C, time after which the extract was neutralized by adding 100 µL of 20% formic acid. Subsequently, MEPS was applied using a M1 sorbent (4 mg; 80% C8 and 20% strong cation-exchange (SCX)), first conditioned with three 250-µL cycles of methanol and three 250-µL cycles of 2% formic acid. The extract load occurred with nine 150-µL cycles followed by a washing step involving three 50-µL cycles with 3.36% formic acid. For the elution of the analytes, six 100-µL cycles of 2.36% ammonium hydroxide in methanol were applied. The method was linear from 0.01 to 5 ng/mg, for both compounds, presenting determination coefficients greater than 0.99. Precision and accuracy were in accordance with the statements of international guidelines for method validation. This new miniaturized approach allowed obtaining recoveries ranging from 73 to 109% for methadone and 84 to 110% for EDDP, proving to be an excellent alternative to classic approaches, as well as other miniaturized procedures.

Comportamento ingestivo de cordeiros Santa Inês alimentados com resíduo de cervejaria desidratado / Ingestive behavior of Santa Ines lambs fed rations containing dehydrated brewery residue

Objetivou-se avaliar o comportamento ingestivo de cordeiros Santa Inês alimentados com resíduo de cervejaria desidratado (RCD). Foram utilizados 35 cordeiros, machos, não castrados, com peso médio inicial de 16,00±1,69kg e, aproximadamente, 70 dias de idade. Adotou-se o delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos e sete repetições, consistindo os tratamentos em: 0; 20; 40; 60 e 80% de inclusão de RCD na porção concentrada da ração. A inclusão de RCD na ração não influenciou o tempo de alimentação (TAL; h/dia) e a eficiência de alimentação (gFDN/h; P>0,05). O TAL obtido neste estudo apresentou valor médio de 4,90h/dia. Observou-se efeito linear decrescente (P<0,05) com a inclusão do RCD, para as eficiências de alimentação (gMS/h) e ruminação (gMS/h e gFDN/h). Contudo, efeito linear crescente (P<0,05) foi constatado para tempo de ruminação e mastigação total, bem como para o número de mastigações merícicas por dia para os animais alimentados com o subproduto. A inclusão de resíduo de cervejaria desidratado influencia o comportamento ingestivo de cordeiros Santa Inês, diminuindo a eficiência de alimentação, quando relacionada ao consumo de matéria seca por hora, e aumentando o tempo de ruminação, podendo ser adicionado em até 20% na porção concentrada da ração.(AU)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ingestive behavior of Santa Ines lambs fed dehydrated brewer's residue (DBR). Thirty-five male lambs were used, with an initial mean weight of 16.00±1.69kg and, approximately, 70 days of age. A completely randomized design was used, with five treatments and seven replicates, the treatments being: 0; 20; 40; 60 and 80% of inclusion of DBR in the concentrated portion of the ration. The inclusion of DBR in the ration did not influence feeding time (FT; h/day) and feeding efficiency (gNDF/h; P> 0.05). The FT obtained in this study had an average value of 4.90h/day. There was a decreasing linear effect (P< 0.05) for feed efficiency (gDM/h) and rumination efficiency (gDM/h and gNDF/h). However, linear increasing effect (P< 0.05) was observed for rumination and total chewing time, as well as for the number of chews per day for animals fed with the byproduct. The inclusion of dehydrated brewer's residue in the concentrate can influence the ingestive behavior of Santa Ines lambs, reducing feed efficiency, when related to the dry matter intake per hour, and increasing the total rumination time in Santa Ines lambs, it can be added up to 20% in the concentrated portion of the ration.(AU)

The influence of the extraction temperature on polyphenolic profiles and bioactivity of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) subcritical water extracts.

The main goal of this research was to determine the relationship among chemical structure, bioactivity and temperature of chamomile during subcritical water extraction in isobaric conditions (45 bar) at seven different temperatures (65-210 °C). The influence of temperature on phenolic profiles was defined by UHPLC-HESI-MS/MS. The overall results indicate that the presence of conjugated double bonds, side chains, glucose moiety or ether moiety in molecules influence the efficiency of polyphenols' extraction in subcritical water. In terms of antioxidant activity, the extracts were the most active towards ABTS radicals (IC50 = 7.3-16.8 µg/mL), whereby temperature of 150 °C was optimal. On the other hand, the extracts obtained at 115 °C showed highest cytotoxicity. Inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase was the highest at 65 and 85 °C, i.e. 0.51 and 4.13 mmolAE/g, respectively. Activity against tyrosinase was the highest at 210 °C (17.92 mgKAE/g). The data showed that different non-phenolic compounds may also participate in bio-activities of the extracts.

Potential of Portuguese vine shoot wastes as natural resources of bioactive compounds.

Since annually a high amount of wastes is produced in vine pruning, the aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of vine shoots from two Portuguese grape varieties (Touriga Nacional - TN and Tinta Roriz - TR) to be used as a natural source of phenolic compounds. To reach this goal, three techniques were explored, namely microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), subcritical water extraction (SWE) and conventional extraction (CE). The phenolic composition of the extracts, antioxidant and biological activities were evaluated by spectrophotometry and chromatography. MAE and SWE produced the highest concentrated extracts. TR vine shoot variety had the highest antioxidant activity and total phenolic (32.1±0.9mggallicacidequivalents/g dry sample), as well as flavonoid content (18.7±1.2mgepicatechinequivalents/g dry sample). For the first time, the biological activity of the vine shoot extracts was tested. Results demonstrated that all of them had antimicrobial potential against different bacteria and yeasts, and the ability of inhibiting α-amylase and acetylcholinesterase enzymes, with MAE TR extracts being the most efficient. HPLC analysis enabled the identification of different phenolic compounds, with gallic acid, catechin, myricetin and kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside being the main contributors to the phenolic composition. Portuguese vine shoot wastes could serve as easily accessible source of natural antioxidants for the food or pharmaceutical industries.

Determination of Organophosphorous Pesticides in Blood Using Microextraction in Packed Sorbent and Gas Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

The aim of our work was to develop a method for the determination of six organophosphorous pesticides (Ops) (azynphos-ethyl (AZP), diazinon (DZN), chlorpyrifos (CLP), chlorfenvinfos (CLF), parathion-ethyl (PRT) and quinalphos (QLP)) in whole blood using microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) and analysis by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The optimization of the MEPS procedure was performed using a design of experiments (DOE) approach, assessing different factors that significantly affected the extraction efficiency. Ultimately, the number of sample strokes, wash volume, percentage of 2-propanol in the wash solvent and the number of elution strokes were successfully optimized using a response surface methodology (RSM). The developed and optimized method was fully validated according to international guidelines. Linearity was established from 2.5 to 50 µg/mL for AZP and from 0.5 to 50 µg/mL for the remaining compounds, with coefficients of determination (R2) higher than 0.99 in all cases. The lower limit of quantification were 2.5 µg/mL (AZP) and 0.5 µg/mL (remaining compounds). Recoveries ranged from 61% to 77%. Intra- and inter-day precision and accuracy were considered adequate according to the guidelines. This is the first method employing MEPS as a sample preparation procedure for the analysis of these OPs in whole blood.

Diagnóstico molecular de infección por virus herpes simplex tipo 1 en tejido aterosclerótico humano / Molecular diagnosis of infection by herpes simplex type 1 virus in human aterosclerótico tissue

Introducción:Las enfermedades del sistema circulatorio representan uno de los mayores problemas de salud pública a nivel mundial, nacional y regional. Elmecanismo patogénico que subyace esta patología es la aterosclerosis. Existenvarios factores que favorecen la etiopatogeniade la lesión aterosclerótica.Las infecciones, juegan un papel importante.La infección por el Virus del Herpes Simplexse ha considerado como un factor de riesgo emergente. Objetivo:Realizar diagnósticomolecular de infección porVirus Herpes Simplex tipo 1 y tipo 2en tejido aterosclerótico humano.Método:Se realizó extracción de ADN viral a partir de ateromas usando el kit comercial PureGenomeTM Tissue DNA Extraction.La amplificación delmaterial genético viralse realizó porPCR en tiempo real (qPCR) con el kit comercial "Human Herpes Virus 2 (Herpes simplex type 2)UL36 region genesig Standard Kit y Human Herpes Virus 1 (Herpes simplex type 1) Capsid assembly and DNA maturation gene. Genesig Standard Kit".Resultados:En total se obtuvieron 102 muestras de ateromas, extraídas de diferentes fuentes anatómicas. Tresmuestras resultaronpositivas para VHS tipo 1(3/102).Ninguna muestra evidenció material genético para VHS tipo 2 (0/102). Conclusión:La etiopatogenia de la aterosclerosis es un proceso altamente complejo.Los virus juegan un papel importante, en especial la infección por Virus del herpes simplex tipo 1. La infección por estevirus genera cambios a nivel de las células vasculares y no vasculares, favoreciendo el acumulo de lipoproteínas de baja densidad químicamente oxidadas, importantespara la aterogénesis

Introduction:Diseases of the circulatory system represent one of the greatest public health problems worldwide, nationally and regionally. The pathogenic mechanism that underlies this pathology is atherosclerosis. There are several factors that favor the etiopathogeny of the atherosclerotic lesion. Infections play an important role. Infection with Herpes Simplex Virus has been considered as an emerging risk factor. Objective: To perform molecular diagnosis of infection by Herpes Simplex virus type 1 and type 2 in human atherosclerotic tissue. Method:Viral DNA extraction was performed from atheromas using the commercial PureGenomeTM Tissue DNA Extraction kit. The amplification of the viral genetic material was performed by real-time PCR (qPCR) with the commercial kit "Human Herpes Virus 2 (Herpes simplex type 2) UL36 region genesig Standard Kit and Human Herpes Virus 1 (Herpes simplex type 1) Capsid assembly and DNA maturation gene Genesig Standard Kit ". Results:A total of 102 samples of atheromas were obtained, extracted from different anatomicalsources. Three samples were positive for HSV type 1 (3/102). No sample showed genetic material for HSV type 2 (0/102). Conclusion:The etiopathogenesis of atherosclerosis is a highly complex process. Viruses play an important role, especially the infection by Herpes simplex virus type 1. The infection by this virus generates changes at the level of vascular and non-vascular cells, favoring the accumulation of chemically oxidized low density lipoproteins, important for the atherogenesis

Sensitive determination of THC and main metabolites in human plasma by means of microextraction in packed sorbent and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Cannabis is one of the most available and consumed illicit drug in the world and its identification and quantification in biological specimens can be a challenge given its low concentrations in body fluids. The present work describes a fast and fully validated procedure for the simultaneous detection and quantification of ▵9-tetrahydrocannabinol (▵9_THC) and its two main metabolites 11-hydroxy ▵9_tetrahydrocannabinol (11-OH-THC) and 11-nor-9-carboxy-▵9- tetrahydrocannbinol (THC-COOH) in plasma samples using microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). A small plasma volume (0.25mL) pre-diluted (1:20), was extracted with MEPS M1 sorbent as follows: conditioning (4 cycles of 250µL methanol and 4 cycles of 250µL 0.1% formic acid in water); sample load (26 cycles of 250µL); wash (100µL of 3% acetic acid in water followed by 100µL 5% methanol in water); and elution (6 cycles of 100µL of 10% ammonium hydroxide in methanol). The procedure allowed the quantification of all analytes in the range of 0.1-30ng/mL. Recoveries ranged from 53 to 78% (THC), 57 to 66% (11-OH-THC) and 62 to 65% (THC-COOH), allowing the limits of detection and quantification to be set at 0.1ng/mL for all compounds. Intra-day precision and accuracy revealed coefficients of variation (CVs) lower than 10% at the studied concentrations, with a mean relative error within±9%, while inter-day precision and accuracy showed CVs lower than 15% for all analytes at the tested concentrations, with an inaccuracy within±8%.

Determination of antipsychotic drugs in hospital and wastewater treatment plant samples by gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.

The development and performance evaluation of a method for the simultaneous determination of six antipsychotic drugs in hospital effluents and wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) samples are herein presented. The method involves an off-line mixed mode (reversed-phase and strong cation exchange) solid phase extraction (SPE) with gas chromatography (GC) coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The present methodology was validated following internationally accepted criteria, and the studied parameters included selectivity, linearity, limits of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LLOQ), instrumental limits, precision and accuracy, stability and recovery. The procedure was linear for concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 10µg/L (0.02 to 2µg/L for haloperidol), with determination coefficients higher than 0.99 for all analytes. Intra- and inter-day precision was lower than 15% for all analytes at the studied concentrations, while accuracy remained between a ±15% interval. Recoveries ranged from 31% to 83%. Low LODs were achieved, between 2 and 10ng/L, allowing a reliable identification of all analytes at trace levels, using only 50mL as sample volume. All studied parameters complied with the defined criteria and the method was successfully applied to gather preliminary results of the determination of antipsychotics on hospital effluents and on influent and effluent of WWTPs, opening perspectives for the study of their fate in the aquatic environment.

Tomografía computarizada de haz cónico en el diagnóstico de anquilosis de la articulación temporomandibular: reporte de caso / Cone beam computed tomography in diagnosis of temporomandibular joint ankylosis: a case report

La anquilosis de la articulación temporomandibular (ATM) corresponde a un trastorno que lleva a una restricción de la apertura bucal con reducción parcial de los movimientos mandibulares o una completa inmovilidad de la mandíbula. Con la evolución de las técnicas radiográficas, la Tomografía Computarizada de Haz Cónico (TCHC) ha sido el método imaginológico de elección para evaluar en los tres planos del espacio y con mayor precisión el diagnóstico y planificación del tratamiento de la Anquilosis de la ATM. El presente reporte de caso muestra la interpretación radiológica de imágenes multiplanares, cortes oblicuos y reconstrucción volumétrica comparativa de las dos articulaciones temporomandibulares de un caso de anquilosis de ATM buscando dar apoyo al clínico tratante. (AU)

The ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a disorder who restricted to open the full mouth with total or partial reduction of the mandibular movements. With the evolution of the radiographic techniques, the Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) it has been the most imagine method for evaluate the tree space plane and better precision diagnosis and planning the treatment of ankylosis of the TMJ. The multiplanar image radiologic interpretation, oblique cuts and comparative volumetric reconstruction of both temporomandibular joint in one case of TMJ ankylosis is submitted for support clinical practice. (AU)

Eruca sativa: Benefits as antioxidants source versus risks of already banned pesticides.

Eruca sativa (rocket salad) has been intensely consumed all over the world, insomuch as, this work was undertaken to evaluate the antioxidant status and the environmental contamination (positive and negative nutritional contribution) of leaves and stems from this vegetable. Antioxidant capacity of rocket salad was assessed by mean of optical methods, such as the total phenolic content (TPC), reducing power assay and DPPH radical scavenging activity. The extent of the environmental contamination was reached through the quantification of thirteen organochlorine pesticides (OCP) by using gas chromatography coupled with electron-capture detector (GC-ECD) and compound confirmations employing gas chromatography tandem mass-spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The OCP residues were extracted by using Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) methodology.The extent of the environmental contamination was reached through the quantification of thirteen OCP by using gas chromatography coupled with electron-capture detector (GC-ECD) and compound confirmations employing GC-MS/MS. The OCP residues were extracted by using Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) methodology. This demonstrated that leaves presented more antioxidant activity than stems, emphasizing that leaves contained six times more polyphenolic compounds than stems. In what concerns the OCP occurrence, the average recoveries obtained at the three levels tested (40, 60 and 80 µg kg(-1)) ranged from 55% to 149% with a relative standard deviation of 11%, (except hexachrorobenzene). Three vegetables samples were collected from supermarkets and analysed following this study. According to data, only one sample achieved 16.21 of ß-hexachlorocyclohexane, confirmed by GC-MS/MS. About OCP quantification, the data indicated that only one sample achieved 16.21 µg kg(-1) of ß-hexachlorocyclohexane, confirmed by GC-MS/MS, being the QuEChERS a good choice for the of OCPs extraction. Furthermore, the leaves consumption guaranty higher levels of antioxidants than stems.