Vitamin B3 Intercalated in Layered Double Hydroxides: A Drug Delivery System for Metabolic Regulation.

The organic compound niacin or nicotinic acid, also known as vitamin B3 (VitB3), is essential for human nutrition and metabolic regulation. However, in high doses, it can provoke side effects, such as hyperglycemia, liver damage, and flushing. Development of a controlled release system that slowly releases VitB3 into the organism would avoid high dosing peaks, thus contributing to decrease the occurrence of side effects in nutritional supplementation. Here, we show that the slow and controlled release of VitB3 in an acid environment can be achieved via its intercalation in layered double hydroxides (LDHs). The synthesis of a ZnAl-VitB3 system is shown, in which VitB3 is intercalated in a ZnAl LDH. The presence of VitB3 in the ZnAl-VitB3 system was confirmed by elemental analysis, infrared (FTIR) and NMR spectroscopy, while successful intercalation in the LDHs was revealed by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). In vitro release tests were carried out in a concentrated HCl solution of pH 1.5, a pH similar to the human stomach environment. The results showed a steady release of VitB3 from the LDH host, with 90% of the vitamin liberated in the first 60 min after the suspension of the LDH in the acidic solution.

1-Iodoglycal: A Versatile Intermediate for the Synthesis of d-Glyco Amides and Esters Employing Carbonylative Cross-Coupling Reaction.

In this study, we present the development of two catalytic processes: a Pd-PEPPSI-catalyzed aminocarbonylation and a Pd(OAc)2-Xantphos-catalyzed alkoxycarbonylation of d-glycals, utilizing carbonylative cross-coupling reactions. We explored successfully various types of aromatic amines, as well as alkyl amines and amino acids, to synthesize new d-glycal amides. However, we observed limitations in the reactivity of alkyl and heteroaromatic amines. The processes enabled the synthesis of 20 novel C1-branched glycoamides and 7 new d-gluco esters.

Protonation Effects on the Benzoxazine Formation Pathways and Products Distribution.

The effect of acidic media on the formation of the 3,4-dihydro-2H-3-phenyl-1,3-benzoxazine Bz is evaluated, focusing on the differentiation of intermediates and products formed by the distinct pathways observed in the presence and absence of acid. The use of real-time mass spectrometry (PSI-ESI-MS) coupled to tandem mass spectrometry and infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) allowed the differentiation of the species observed during the synthesis of benzoxazines in these different conditions. The results suggest that formic acid promotes the formation of aniline and phenol condensation products (IC and IIC) by protecting the aniline amino group and enhancing the formaldehyde electrophilicity. The results also suggest that although the presence of acid allow a more efficient potential energy landscape to be accessed, the last cyclization step for the formation of benzoxazines cannot be mediated by the protonation route intermediate (ROP Bz). Overall, the conclusions presented here provide important information about the synthesis of benzoxazines under acidic conditions, allowing the development of optimal reaction conditions.

Projeto de monitoria em Endodontia e a importância do suporte institucional: um relato de experiência / Proyecto de tutoría de Endodoncia y la importancia del apoyo institucional: un relato de experiencia / Monitoring project in Endodontics and the importance of institutional support: an experience report

A monitoria é uma atividade complementar que oferece apoio pedagógico e exerce papel importante na formação dos alunos de graduação e do próprio monitor, bem como em sua iniciação à docência. O presente relato tem como objetivoapresentar as experiências do desenvolvimento de um programa de monitoria, com suporte institucional, em uma disciplina de Endodontia de uma instituição de ensino superior federal. A equipe docente elaborou um plano de trabalho contemplando diferentes atividades pedagógicas, técnicas e científicas a serem desenvolvidas pelos monitores. Os seguintes resultados foram alcançados após quatro semestres: a) influência positiva no desempenho de 109 alunos com apenas três médias finais inferiores a sete; b) aprimoramento técnico-científico dos monitores com participação em workshopde instrumentação mecanizada em Endodontia; c) desenvolvimento científico dos monitores com a produção de materiais didáticos, projetos científicos, participação e apresentação de seis trabalhos em eventos científicos com três premiações, publicações de resumos em anais e produção de dois trabalhos de conclusão de curso; d) participação em ação institucional para reduzir aevasão no curso; e) elaboração de projeto de pesquisa para avaliação do desempenho de monitores estruturada por meio de questionário. Pode-se concluir que o desenvolvimento de um projeto de monitoria inserido no contexto de um programa de apoio acadêmico, com oferta de bolsas, pode gerar grande interesse de participação pelos discentes e que uma variedade de atividades propostas no plano de trabalho contribuiu de forma relevante para o processo ensino-aprendizado dos monitores e para a disciplina (AU).

La tutoria es una actividad complementaria que ofrece apoyo pedagógico y juega un papel importante en la formación de los estudiantes de pregrado y del propio tutor, así como en su iniciación a la docencia. Este informe tiene como objetivo presentar las experiencias de desarrollo de un programa de tutoría, con apoyo institucional, en una disciplina de Endodoncia en una institución de educación superior federal. El equipo docente elaboró un plan de trabajo que abarcaba diferentes actividades pedagógicas, técnicas y científicas a desarrollar por los monitores. Después de cuatro semestres se lograron los siguientes resultados: a) influencia positiva en el desempeño de 109 estudiantes con sólo tres promedios finales inferiores a siete; b) perfeccionamiento técnico-científico de tutores con participación en un taller de instrumentación mecanizada en Endodoncia; c) desarrollo científico de los tutores con la producción de materiales didácticos, proyectos científicos, participación y presentación de seis trabajos en eventos científicos con tres premios, publicación de resúmenes en anales y producción de dos trabajos de conclusión de curso; d) participación en acciones institucionales para reducir el abandono de cursos; e) elaboración de un proyecto de investigación para evaluar el desempeño de los tutores estructurado a través de un cuestionario. Se puede concluir que el desarrollo de un proyecto de tutoría en el contexto de un programa de apoyo académico, con la oferta de becas, puede generar gran interés de participación por parte de los estudiantes y que una variedad de actividades propuestas en el plan de trabajo contribuyeron significativamente para el proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje de los monitores y de la disciplina. Projeto de monitoria em Endodontia e a importância do suporte institucional: um relato de experiência (AU).

Monitoring is a complementary activity that offers pedagogical support and plays an essential role in training undergraduate students and the monitor himself and their initiation to teaching. The report aimsto present the experiences of developing a monitoring program, with institutional support, in an endodontics discipline at a federal higher education institution. The teaching team prepared a work plan that contemplated different pedagogical, technical, and scientific activities to be developed by the monitors. The following results were achieved after four semesters: a) positive influence on the performance of 109 students with only three final averages lower than seven; b) technical and scientific improvement of the monitors with participation in a workshopon mechanized instrumentation in Endodontics; c) scientific development of the monitors with the production of didactic materials, scientific projects, participation and presentation of six papers in scientific events with three awards, publication of abstracts in annals and production of two-course completion papers; d) participation in institutional action to reduce dropout in the course; e) elaboration of a research project to evaluate the performance of monitors, structured through a questionnaire. It can be concluded that the development of a monitoring project inserted in the context of an academic support program, with the offer of scholarships, can generate significant interest in participation by students and that a variety of activities proposed in the work plan contributed in a relevant way to the teaching-learning process of the monitors and to the discipline (AU).

Microstructural Analysis of Benzoxazine Cationic Ring-Opening Polymerization Pathways.

Herein, an evaluation of the initial step of benzoxazine polymerization is presented by mass spectrometry, with a focus on differentiating the phenoxy and phenolic products formed by distinct pathways of the cationic ring opening polymerization (ROP) mechanism of polybenzoxazine formation. The use of infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) and ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) techniques allows for differentiation of the two pathways and provides valuable insights into the ROP mechanism. The results suggest that type I pathway is favored in the initial stages of the reaction yielding the phenoxy product, while type II product should be observed at later stages when the phenoxy product would interconvert to the most stable type II phenolic product. Overall, the findings presented here provide important information on the initial step of the benzoxazine polymerization, allowing the development of optimal polymerization conditions and represents a way to evaluate other multifunctional polymerization processes.

Uma revisão narrativa do apoio matricial em saúde mental entre as equipes CAPS-ESF no cenário brasileiro / A narrative review of matrix support in mental health among the CAPS-ESF teams in Brazil

Resumo A pesquisa teve como objetivo identificar como acontece o Apoio Matricial realizado entre o Centro de Atenção Psicossocial (CAPS) e as equipes de Saúde da Família. Ocorreu a partir de uma revisão narrativa da literatura feita através de uma busca utilizando como descritores "apoio matricial AND saúde mental", nas bases da SciELO e PubMed, entre 2016 e 2020, com 12 estudos selecionados. Após a leitura do conjunto do material, dois eixos temáticos foram construídos: apoio CAPS-ESF na prática e seus alcances e elementos facilitadores e desafiadores. O Apoio Matricial é ferramenta essencial à Reforma Psiquiátrica; recurso de fortalecimento entre os serviços de saúde mental especializada e Atenção Básica. Os desafios envolvem o campo das relações entre os sujeitos implicados nos serviços de saúde mental, incluindo a gestão, nas limitações do próprio trabalho em equipe, e nas fragilidades estruturais da rede de saúde mental. Por fim, os estudos convergem em destacar que o cuidado compartilhado entre apoiadores só é possível por meio de encontros e desencontros entre as equipes, sendo trabalho complexo por seu caráter de construção.

Abstract The research aimed to identify how the Matrix Support carried out between the Psychosocial Care Center (CAPS) and the Family Health teams takes place. It occurred from a narrative review of the literature carried out through a search using "matrix support AND mental health" as descriptors, in the SciELO and PubMed databases, between 2016 and 2020, with 12 studies selected. After reading the set of material, two thematic axes were constructed: CAPS-ESF support in practice and its scope and facilitating and challenging elements. Matrix Support is an essential tool for Psychiatric Reform; strengthening resource between specialized mental health services and Primary Care. The challenges involve the field of relationships between subjects involved in mental health services, including management, the limitations of teamwork itself, and the structural weaknesses of the mental health network. Finally, the studies converge in highlighting that shared care between supporters is only possible through meetings and disagreements between teams, being a complex work due to its construction nature.

A Review of the Use of Coconut Fiber in Cement Composites.

The use of plant fibers in cementitious composites has been gaining prominence with the need for more sustainable construction materials. It occurs due to the advantages natural fibers provide to these composites, such as the reduction of density, fragmentation, and propagation of cracks in concrete. The consumption of coconut, a fruit grown in tropical countries, generates shells that are improperly disposed of in the environment. The objective of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of the use of coconut fibers and coconut fiber textile mesh in cement-based materials. For this purpose, discussions were conducted on plant fibers, the production and characteristics of coconut fibers, cementitious composites reinforced with coconut fibers, cementitious composites reinforced with textile mesh as an innovative material to absorb coconut fibers, and treatments of coconut fiber for improved product performance and durability. Finally, future perspectives on this field of study have also been highlighted. Thus, this paper aims to understand the behavior of cementitious matrices reinforced with plant fibers and demonstrate that coconut fiber has a high capacity to be used in cementitious composites instead of synthetic fibers.

Visual Cortical Plasticity: Molecular Mechanisms as Revealed by Induction Paradigms in Rodents.

Assessing the molecular mechanism of synaptic plasticity in the cortex is vital for identifying potential targets in conditions marked by defective plasticity. In plasticity research, the visual cortex represents a target model for intense investigation, partly due to the availability of different in vivo plasticity-induction protocols. Here, we review two major protocols: ocular-dominance (OD) and cross-modal (CM) plasticity in rodents, highlighting the molecular signaling pathways involved. Each plasticity paradigm has also revealed the contribution of different populations of inhibitory and excitatory neurons at different time points. Since defective synaptic plasticity is common to various neurodevelopmental disorders, the potentially disrupted molecular and circuit alterations are discussed. Finally, new plasticity paradigms are presented, based on recent evidence. Stimulus-selective response potentiation (SRP) is one of the paradigms addressed. These options may provide answers to unsolved neurodevelopmental questions and offer tools to repair plasticity defects.

Estudos métricos da informação sobre turismo e lazer a partir do lazer em parques de 2008 a 2020 / Metric studies of information about tourism and leisure based on leisure activities in parks from 2008 to 2020

Com objetivo de apresentar os principais estudos acadêmicos sobre lazer em parques nos últimos 13 anos, foi realizado um recorte do estudo bibliométrico na base de dados Elton Bryson Stephens Company ­ EBSCO, na qual foi realizada uma pesquisa longitudinal sobre a temática Leisure in parks, com detalhamento de assuntos, periódicos e países. Ademais, foi empreendida uma discussão que oportuniza identificar as principais áreas afins, o que permitiu perceber que os estudos sobre lazer em parques se concentram na gestão dos urbanos, bem como no turismo e lazer. Entre os principais dados conclusivos, um dos temas que emergiu foi restrições para a prática de turismo e lazer em parques.

In order to present the main academic studies on leisure in parks in the last 13 years, a bibliometric study was conducted using the Elton Bryson Stephens Company - EBSCO database. A longitudinal research on the topic "Leisure in parks" was done, providing details on subjects, journals, and countries. Furthermore, a discussion was undertaken to identify the main related areas, which revealed that studies on leisure in parks primarily focus on urban management, tourism, and leisure. Among the main conclusive findings, one of the emerging themes was the restrictions on tourism and leisure activities in parks.

Evaluation of Light Cementitious Matrix with Composite Textile Reinforcement from Garment Waste.

The use of recycled waste has been the focus of several studies due to its potential to allow a more sustainable use of construction materials and minimize improper waste disposal in landfills or incinerators. More specifically, garment textile waste has been examined as internal reinforcement of cementitious matrices to increase the deformability and control fissure formation. In this study, polyester textiles are analyzed and incorporated in cementitious composites in order to evaluate their mechanical properties. Results show that significant improvements in mechanical properties of composites are obtained depending on the impregnation treatment applied to the textile waste. In the direct tensile stress test, the waste impregnation with styrene butadiene polymer plus silica fume improved 35.95% in the weft direction and 9.33% in the warp direction. Maximum stress increased 53.57% and 64.48% for composites with styrene-butadiene rubber impregnation and styrene-butadiene rubber plus silica fume impregnation, respectively, when compared to the unreinforced composite. The flexural tensile strength of composites impregnated reinforcements with styrene-butadiene rubber and styrene-butadiene rubber plus silica fume presented increases in strength by 92.10% and 94.73%, respectively, when compared to the unreinforced sample. The impact test confirmed that styrene-butadiene rubber plus silica fume impregnation produced greater tenacity of the composite. In the microstructure, it is confirmed that the impregnated textile reinforcement resulted in composites with greater adhesion between the fabric and the cementitious matrix. Thus, light textile waste is concluded to be a viable construction material for non-structural elements.

(Bio)Sensing Strategies Based on Ionic Liquid-Functionalized Carbon Nanocomposites for Pharmaceuticals: Towards Greener Electrochemical Tools.

The interaction of carbon-based nanomaterials and ionic liquids (ILs) has been thoroughly exploited for diverse electroanalytical solutions since the first report in 2003. This combination, either through covalent or non-covalent functionalization, takes advantage of the unique characteristics inherent to each material, resulting in synergistic effects that are conferred to the electrochemical (bio)sensing system. From one side, carbon nanomaterials offer miniaturization capacity with enhanced electron transfer rates at a reduced cost, whereas from the other side, ILs contribute as ecological dispersing media for the nanostructures, improving conductivity and biocompatibility. The present review focuses on the use of this interesting type of nanocomposites for the development of (bio)sensors specifically for pharmaceutical detection, with emphasis on the analytical (bio)sensing features. The literature search displayed the conjugation of more than 20 different ILs and several carbon nanomaterials (MWCNT, SWCNT, graphene, carbon nanofibers, fullerene, and carbon quantum dots, among others) that were applied for a large set (about 60) of pharmaceutical compounds. This great variability causes a straightforward comparison between sensors to be a challenging task. Undoubtedly, electrochemical sensors based on the conjugation of carbon nanomaterials with ILs can potentially be established as sustainable analytical tools and viable alternatives to more traditional methods, especially concerning in situ environmental analysis.

Production of Belite Based Clinker from Ornamental Stone Processing Sludge and Calcium Carbonate Sludge with Lower CO2 Emissions.

Environmental concerns have come to the forefront due to the substantial role of the cement industry in the extraction and expenditure of natural resources. Additionally, industrial processes generate a considerable amount of waste, which is frequently disposed of inadequately. The objective of this study was to evaluate the simultaneous use of ornamental rock processing sludge and calcium carbonate sludge generated from the kraft process in the production of belitic clinker. These waste materials would be used in total or partial substitution of natural raw materials, namely, limestone and clay. Several formulations were produced and sintered at 1100 and 1200 °C. The raw materials were characterized physico-chemically and thermogravimetrically, with subsequent evaluation of the resulting dosed raw mixes. Mineral analyses determined that the mixtures with limestone and clay in substitution ratios of 95% and 100%, respectively, and sintered at 1100 °C have the potential to produce belite-rich clinkers. This temperature is considerably lower than those reported in reference studies. Additionally, full limestone and clay substitution could result in a 23.92% reduction in carbon dioxide in clinker production. The results confirmed the potential use of ornamental rock processing sludge and calcium carbonate sludge as viable alternative materials for cement production and, consequently, could contribute to a reduction in the negative environmental impacts of this industry.

Ruas saudáveis, a aplicação em cidades brasileiras / Healthy streets, the application in the Brazilian cities

A inspiração para Ruas Saudáveis surge com a finalidade de tornar as cidades mais seguras, limpas e convidativas aos seus moradores, alterando o ritmo de inatividade deles. Cidades em diversas localidades buscam fazer com que seus cidadãos sejam saudáveis e felizes, paralelamente incentivam o desenvolvimento dos bairros, dos comércios locais e dos meios como se locomovem, criando espaços urbanos mais atrativos e sustentáveis. Entretanto, apesar do conceito de Ruas Saudáveis estar sendo aplicado em diversos países, no Brasil essa implementação ainda é muito tímida, com poucas iniciativas, além de gerar dúvidas entre os modelos europeu e americano. Esta pesquisa analisou o conceito aplicado na Europa, como surgiu, como se implementa, quais as condições e tempo necessário, como envolver as pessoas e as autoridades e como elaborar uma estrutura aplicável para as cidades brasileiras. A metodologia empregada foi a revisão bibliográfica, através de pesquisa exploratória e documental, e um levantamento de campo em ruas implementadas no Brasil. Os resultados obtidos foram a compreensão do conceito de Ruas Saudáveis, a forma como são implementadas, a contribuição que oferecem aos cidadãos e às comunidades, as experiências positivas e negativas nos projetos executados, e o retorno para o sistema de saúde pública e para o meio ambiente. Na parte inicial, a pesquisa mostra implementações bem-sucedidas na Europa, com o aumento de satisfação da população e diminuição dos custos com o sistema de saúde. Na sequência, analisa as aplicações nas grandes cidades brasileiras, elencando as intervenções urbanísticas que beneficiam a comunidade e o meio ambiente, entre elas o nivelamento das ruas, a introdução de mobiliário adequado e um paisagismo atrativo. Com base nisso concluiu ser possível introduzir as Ruas Saudáveis em nosso país, sendo apresentado um guia para futuras implementações.

The inspiration for Healthy Streets comes with the purpose of making cities safer, cleaner, and more inviting to their residents, changing their pace of inactivity. Cities in different locations seek to make their citizens healthy and happy, while encouraging the development of neighborhoods, local businesses, and the means by which they move around, creating more attractive and sustainable urban spaces. However, despite the concept of Healthy Streets being applied in several countries, in Brazil this implementation is still very timid, with few initiatives, in addition to generating doubts between the European and American models. This research analyzed the concept applied in Europe, how it emerged, how it is implemented, what are the conditions and time needed, how to involve people and authorities and how to elaborate a structure applicable to Brazilian cities. The methodology used was a bibliographic review, through exploratory and documental research, and a field survey in streets implemented in Brazil. The results obtained were the understanding of the concept of Healthy Streets, the way they are implemented, the contribution they offer to citizens and communities, the positive and negative experiences in the executed projects, and the return to the public health system and the environment. Initially, the survey showed successful implementations in Europe, with increasing population satisfaction and decreasing costs with the health system. Next, it analyzes the applications in large Brazilian cities, listing the urban interventions that benefit the community and the environment, among them the leveling of the streets, the introduction of adequate furniture and an attractive landscaping. Based on this, it was concluded that it is possible to introduce Healthy Streets in our country, and a guide for future implementations was presented.

[A rare presentation of kidney allograft intolerance syndrome: Bullous pemphigoid]. / Une présentation rare du syndrome d'intolérance au greffon renal : la pemphigoïde bulleuse.

Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune bullous cutaneous disease. We report the case of a 60 year-old male patient whose kidney allograft failed and was on hemodialysis for the previous 16 months. After tapering immunosuppressive medication, he presented simultaneous bullous eruption and kidney allograft intolerance syndrome. Investigation showed a positive BP180 anti-basement membrane zone antibody and skin biopsy was consistent with bullous pemphigoid. The patient was treated with corticotherapy and bullous pemphigoid resolved. The development of new onset diabetes and concerns over long term immunosuppression, halted the decision to continue corticotherapy and the patient underwent graft nephrectomy, with resolution of the kidney allograft intolerance syndrome without recurrence of the bullous disease. The occurrence of bullous pemphigoid in patients with failed renal allograft is rare, with only eleven cases reported in literature. This case illustrates how graft nephrectomy can provide a definitive cure to bullous pemphigoid in this setting.

Regio- and diastereoselective Pd-catalyzed aminochlorocyclization of allylic carbamates: scope, derivatization, and mechanism.

The regio- and diastereoselective synthesis of oxazolidinones via a Pd-catalyzed vicinal C-N/C-Cl bond-forming reaction from internal alkenes of allylic carbamates is reported. The oxazolidinones are obtained in yields of 44 to 95% with high to excellent diastereoselectivities (from 6 : 1 to >20 : 1 dr) from readily available precursors. This process is scalable, and the products are suitable for the synthesis of useful amino alcohols. A detailed theoretical and experimental mechanistic study was carried out to describe that the reaction proceeds through an anti-aminopalladation of the alkene followed by an oxidative C-Pd(ii) cleavage with retention of the carbon stereochemistry to yield the major diastereomer. The role of Cu(ii) in a C-Cl bond-forming mechanism step has also been proposed.

Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-2 gene polymorphism and breast cancer risk in women from the Northeastern region of Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: In the Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-2 (HER2) rs1136201 variant, the presence of the G allele may promote cellular alterations and increase breast cancer risk, in addition to enhanced cellular proliferation, tumor aggressiveness, and metastases. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variant, rs1136201, within the HER2 gene in women from the Northeastern region of Brazil and breast cancer risk. METHODS: The study included 140 women who were divided into two groups, case (breast cancer) and control (without breast cancer), with 70 women in each group. Peripheral blood of each woman was drawn for the study of genomic Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extracted from leukocytes using the genotyping technique by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The GG genotype occurred in 1 woman in both groups (1.4%) (p=0.32), while the AG genotype occurred in 19 (27.2%) and 13 (18.6%) women in the case and control (p=1.00) groups, respectively. No statistically significant difference in GG and AG genotypes was observed between the case and control groups in premenopausal women (p=1.00). Furthermore, no significant difference in genotypes was observed between the groups, among postmenopausal women (p=0.14). CONCLUSION: In this study, the HER2 rs1136201 polymorphism did not show any statistically significant association with breast cancer, both in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Nevertheless, further studies with a larger sample size should be performed to assess the association of HER2 polymorphism with breast cancer risk in women from the Northeastern region of Brazil.

Assessment of IGF-1 expression in the peripheral blood of women with recurrent breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy affecting women worldwide. The insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) gene encodes a protein responsible for a wide variety of physiological processes, including differentiation and cell proliferation. Despite several studies on tumor tissues, no study has evaluated IGF-1 expression in the peripheral blood of women with recurrent breast cancer.In this cross-sectional study, IGF-1 expression in the peripheral blood of 146 women with breast cancer treated approximately 5 years ago was quantified by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain. The women were divided into 2 groups: non-recurrence (n = 85) and recurrence (n = 61). Statistical analysis of the data was performed using ANOVA, Mann-Whitney, and Chi-squared tests (P < .05).The results showed no significant difference in IGF-1 expression between the non-recurrence and recurrence groups (P = .988). In the subgroups of patients with lymph node involvement, no statistically significant difference was observed in IGF-1 expression between women with recurrence and those non-recurrence (P = .113). In patients without lymph node metastases, IGF-1 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression levels were significantly higher in the non-recurrence group than in the recurrence group (P = .019). Furthermore, using the median IGF-1 mRNA expression as the cutoff point, it was obtained a statistically significant difference in tumor histological grade among women with recurrent breast cancer (P = .042).These data showed significantly higher IGF-1 expression in women without lymph node metastases in the non-recurrence group compared with the recurrence group. In addition, a significant difference was observed in median IGF-1 mRNA expression in relation to tumor histological grade in women with recurrent breast cancer.

Application of Nanostructured Carbon-Based Electrochemical (Bio)Sensors for Screening of Emerging Pharmaceutical Pollutants in Waters and Aquatic Species: A Review.

Pharmaceuticals, as a contaminant of emergent concern, are being released uncontrollably into the environment potentially causing hazardous effects to aquatic ecosystems and consequently to human health. In the absence of well-established monitoring programs, one can only imagine the full extent of this problem and so there is an urgent need for the development of extremely sensitive, portable, and low-cost devices to perform analysis. Carbon-based nanomaterials are the most used nanostructures in (bio)sensors construction attributed to their facile and well-characterized production methods, commercial availability, reduced cost, high chemical stability, and low toxicity. However, most importantly, their relatively good conductivity enabling appropriate electron transfer rates-as well as their high surface area yielding attachment and extraordinary loading capacity for biomolecules-have been relevant and desirable features, justifying the key role that they have been playing, and will continue to play, in electrochemical (bio)sensor development. The present review outlines the contribution of carbon nanomaterials (carbon nanotubes, graphene, fullerene, carbon nanofibers, carbon black, carbon nanopowder, biochar nanoparticles, and graphite oxide), used alone or combined with other (nano)materials, to the field of environmental (bio)sensing, and more specifically, to pharmaceutical pollutants analysis in waters and aquatic species. The main trends of this field of research are also addressed.