Detection and quantification of selected cannabinoids in oral fluid samples by protein precipitation and LC-MS/MS.

Cannabis is the most widely consumed illicit drug worldwide. As consumption rates increase, partially due to the decriminalization of its use for medicinal and recreational purposes, analytical methods for monitoring different cannabinoids in several biological matrices have been developed. Herein, a simple and fast extraction procedure to extract natural cannabinoids from oral fluid (OF) samples was developed and fully validated according to the ANSI/ASB 2019 Standard Practices for Method Validation in Forensic Toxicology. Using only 0.2 mL of neat OF, the analytes [Δ9-tetrahidrocannabinol (THC), 11-hydroxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-OH), 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH), cannabinol (CBN) and cannabidiol (CBD)] were extracted by protein precipitation with a mixture of methanol:acetonitrile (80:20, v/v); the extracts were centrifuged, evaporated to dryness and reconstituted in 100 µL of methanol. Analysis was performed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The developed methodology produced linear results for all compounds, with working ranges of 0.1-50 ng/mL for THC, 0.5-50 ng/mL for THC-OH, CBN and CBD, and 0.05-1 ng/mL for THC-COOH. Ion suppression was observed for THC, CBN and CBD, which did not impair sensitivity considering the low limits of quantification (LOQs) and limits of detection (LODs) obtained (which varied between 0.05 and 0.5 ng/mL). The extraction procedure produced great recoveries, and the compounds were stable. No interferences were found, and the method proved to be extremely fast, selective, precise, and accurate for use in routine analysis. The method was successfully applied to authentic samples.

Influence of Silica Modulus on the Activation of Amorphous Wollastonitic Hydraulic Binders with Different Alumina Content: Study of Hydration Reaction and Paste Performance.

This study investigates how different sodium silicate SiO2/Na2O MS ratios (0.75, 0.9, and 1.2) affect the hydration behavior of amorphous wollastonitic hydraulic (AWH) binders containing various amounts of Al2O3 content (4, 7, 10, and 12%wt). The effects of and interaction between the MS ratio of the activator and the Al2O3 content of the sample on the hydration reaction and paste performance were investigated. The reaction was followed by calorimetry, and the pastes' compressive strength performances were tested at different curing times (2, 7, and 28 days). The hydrated pastes were characterized by FTIR, thermogravimetry analysis, and X-ray diffraction. The calorimetric results show that a higher Al2O3 cContent and a higher MS ratio result in a longer induction period. In terms of paste performance, an increase of the Al2O3 coupled with an activation with a 1.2 MS ratio results in a lower compressive strength after 28 days of hydration; the results range from 76 to 52 MPa. A decrease of the MS ratio to 0.9 allowed the obtention of a narrower range of results, from 76 to 69 MPa. Even though a decrease of the MS ratio to 0.75 led to higher hydration kinetics and high compressive strength results at early ages, at 28 days of curing, a decrease in compressive strength was observed. This may be a consequence of the fast kinetic of the mixture, since the rapid growth of hydration products may inhibit the dissolution at later ages and increase the porosity of the paste. Moreover, the high Al intake in the hydration product, facilitated by the high sodium content of the activator, promotes the formation of a higher number of calcium aluminate silicate hydrate structures (C-A-S-H) to the detriment of calcium silicate hydrate structures (C-S-H), decreasing the compressive strength of the samples. The TGA results indicate that the samples hydrated with the MS075 solution resulted in a higher number of hydrated products at early ages, while the samples hydrated with the MS09 and MS1.2 solutions exhibit a steady increase with curing time. Hence, an equilibrium in the hydration kinetic promoted by Si saturation-undersaturation appears to be fundamental in this system, which is influenced by both the MS ratio and the Al(OH)4- content in solution. The results of this study suggest that for this type of binder, optimal performance can be achieved by decreasing the MS ratio to 0.9. This composition allows for a controlled kinetic and overall higher compressive strength results in pastes produced with this AWH precursor.

Contraceptive Counseling: Construction and Validation of Instrument-"5C Contraceptive Counseling".

INTRODUCTION: Contraceptive illiteracy leads to non-adherence, discontinuation, and dissatisfaction with the method. Person-centered contraceptive counseling is based on quality care on a communicative basis that promotes shared decision-making, leading to a choice adapted to the woman's needs, lifestyle, and health condition. We intend to build and validate an instrument that serves as a guide for quality contraceptive counseling, facilitating decision-making about contraceptive methods. METHODS: We used the Delphi method in a total of two rounds. The content was validated through a panel of eighteen experts with experience in teaching, research in contraceptive counseling, and obstetric nursing. To assess the consensus and stability of the responses, two questionnaires were administered and the Content Validity Index and Content Validity Ratio were calculated. RESULTS: The initial version of the guide, consisting of six indicators and thirty-five items, was submitted to the panel of experts to obtain consensus and stability from respondents (first round). The results showed a response rate of 66.0%; thirty-four indicators reached consensus and one did not reach consensus. Suggestions for modifying the indicator were received by the experts and incorporated in the next round. In the second round, the response rate increased to 78.0%. Two indicators were resubmitted, of which one was accepted. This resulted in the final version of the instrument, with six points and thirty-five items. DISCUSSION: The guide proved to be a valid tool for nurse-midwives to provide quality contraceptive advice to women, allowing them to make autonomous and informed choices regarding their sexual and reproductive health.

Development and validation of a multi-substance method for routine analysis of pesticides in post-mortem samples by Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

Pesticides play an important role in forensic toxicology and are usually classified as a single class of chemicals. Despite their commonly perceived unity, pesticides encompass a spectrum of compounds, including organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids or organochlorines, among others, each with varying degrees of toxicity. Pesticide analysis in post-mortem samples can be difficult due to the complexity of the samples and to the high toxicity of these compounds. The aim of this study was to develop and validate an easy to use, sensitive, and robust method, using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to be incorporated in the routine flow for pesticide analysis in post-mortem blood samples. Described herein is a streamlined, expeditious, yet highly efficient method facilitating the screening, qualitative assessment, and quantitative confirmation of 15 pesticides, including acetamiprid, azinphos-ethyl, bendiocarb, carbofuran, chlorfenvinphos, dimethoate, imidaclopride, malathion, methiocarb, methomyl, parathion, pirimicarb, strychnine, tetrachlorvinphos, and thiacloprid in post-mortem blood, recognizing the pivotal role blood plays in forensic investigations. The developed method was linear from 10 to 200 ng/mL; limits of detection were between 1 and 10 ng/mL, depending on the compound; it was successfully evaluated a dilution ratio of 1-2, 5 and 10; and 8 substances showed maximum stability for the time interval studied. This UHPLC-MS/MS method is useful and a powerful tool in a toxicology lab because it is fast, simple, effective, and trustworthy. The results of this validation highlight the robustness of the analytical method, providing a valuable tool for the accurate and sensitive detection of pesticides in post-mortem blood. Poised for routine implementation, this method has already found success in suspected intoxication cases, promising to elevate the standards of forensic pesticide analysis.

The Use of Solid Sodium Silicate as Activator for an Amorphous Wollastonitic Hydraulic Binder.

To ensure the acceptable mechanical strength of amorphous wollastonitic hydraulic binders (AWHs), activation with a sodium silicate solution is necessary. However, the use of this type of activator increases the final cost and the complexity of the product's overall use. In this work, we focus on enhancing the manufacturing of the alkaline activator by producing three Na2SiO3 powders using cost-effective raw materials. The procedure consisted of heating a mixture of NaOH pebbles with either sand, glass, or diatomite to a temperature of 330 °C for 2 h. After synthesis, the powders were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) techniques. Finally, mortars made with AWHs were activated using the synthesized powders that were added either as a solid or dissolved in an aqueous solution. The compressive strength results in these mortars show that the lab-made activators are competitive with the traditional sodium silicate activators. Furthermore, the synthetized activators can be added in either solid form or pre-dissolved in a solution. This innovative approach represents a more economical, sustainable and easy-to-use approach to enhancing the competitiveness of AWHs.

Sensors in the Detection of Abused Substances in Forensic Contexts: A Comprehensive Review.

Forensic toxicology plays a pivotal role in elucidating the presence of drugs of abuse in both biological and solid samples, thereby aiding criminal investigations and public health initiatives. This review article explores the significance of sensor technologies in this field, focusing on diverse applications and their impact on the determination of drug abuse markers. This manuscript intends to review the transformative role of portable sensor technologies in detecting drugs of abuse in various samples. They offer precise, efficient, and real-time detection capabilities in both biological samples and solid substances. These sensors have become indispensable tools, with particular applications in various scenarios, including traffic stops, crime scenes, and workplace drug testing. The integration of portable sensor technologies in forensic toxicology is a remarkable advancement in the field. It has not only improved the speed and accuracy of drug abuse detection but has also extended the reach of forensic toxicology, making it more accessible and versatile. These advancements continue to shape forensic toxicology, ensuring swift, precise, and reliable results in criminal investigations and public health endeavours.

"What Do We Know about Hope in Nursing Care?": A Synthesis of Concept Analysis Studies.

Hope is a central concept within the nursing literature, which is crucial towards the development of nursing knowledge. Nursing teams play a crucial role in exploring the meaning of hope and promoting hope among patients and their families. This study aims to synthesize concept analysis studies of hope in the context of nursing care and to propose an evidence-based update of the definition of hope in the International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP®). Method: This is a literature review, involving the synthesis of studies concerning the concept analysis of hope in nursing practice. Peer-reviewed articles with fully accessible Portuguese or English text were considered. As we aimed to include a historical perspective of the concept, no restriction upon the time of publication was set. Articles were selected in March 2022 and updated in July 2023 using the Medline, CINAHL, and Scopus databases. The search terms used were "hope" AND "concept" AND "analysis" AND "nurs*". Only articles written in English or Portuguese were included. Two reviewers conducted the research synthesis and report independently to minimize the risk of bias in the included studies. This paper adheres to the PRISMA checklist. To clarify the concept of hope as perceived by patients and develop hope as an evidence-based nursing concept, 13 studies were reviewed. The concept of hope, its attributes, antecedents, and consequences, as well as similar concepts, were studied by nurses and synthesized into a definition. The identified antecedents include pivotal life events, stressful stimuli, and experiencing satisfaction with life. The analysis of its attributes, antecedents, and consequences has contributed to understanding its relevance in nursing care and provided a proposed update of hope in the ICNP®. This review provides conceptual clarity on how hope is defined and used in nursing practice and the potential factors that may impact the promotion of hope to provide opportunities for future nursing research.

Novel Amorphous-Wollastonitic Low-Calcium Hydraulic Binders: A State-of-the-Art Review.

Because of the severe environmental impact of the CO2 emissions associated with the production of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and the increasing demand for this commodity material, the development of alternative products has become a global concern. One alternative to OPC, or alitic-based clinkers, are amorphous-wollastonitic low-calcium hydraulic binders (AWLCs). This new class of hydraulic binders, described in the literature for the first time in 2015, may significantly reduce the CO2 emissions associated with its production, resulting from its lower calcium content, but also from the fact that its production technology can be fully electrified. In this paper, a state-of-the-art review is presented, providing a comprehensive description of the latest research, summarizing both the physicochemical and mechanical characteristics of this type of hydraulic binder, as well as possible routes for its production at an industrial scale.

Analysis of Cannabinoids in Biological Specimens: An Update.

Cannabinoids are still the most consumed drugs of abuse worldwide. Despite being considered less harmful to human health, particularly if compared with opiates or cocaine, cannabis consumption has important medico-legal and public health consequences. For this reason, the development and optimization of sensitive analytical methods that allow the determination of these compounds in different biological specimens is important, involving relevant efforts from laboratories. This paper will discuss cannabis consumption; toxicokinetics, the most detected compounds in biological samples; and characteristics of the latter. In addition, a comprehensive review of extraction methods and analytical tools available for cannabinoid detection in selected biological specimens will be reviewed. Important issues such as pitfalls and cut-off values will be considered.

Hope Aspects of the Women's Experience after Confirmation of a High-Risk Pregnancy Condition: A Systematic Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy is a period of transformation, hope, expectation, and worry for women and their families. A high-risk pregnancy refers to a pregnancy in which the mother and/or fetus are at greater-than-normal risk of complications, and it evokes a range of emotional and psychological experiences that largely depend on the care and support provided by health professionals. The purpose of this review is to summarize the existing literature on the lived experience of hope in women facing a high-risk pregnancy related to their own health and/or medical conditions related to the fetus. METHODS: This review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute's methodology. No limits on a date were applied to the search. Identified titles and abstracts were screened to select original reports and were cross-checked for any overlap of cases. We included studies that emphasized the experience of hope of pregnant women dealing with a pregnancy complication. MAIN RESULTS: According to the results of the present scoping review, we found two main dimensions: women experiencing a high-risk pregnancy themselves and prenatal diagnosis. In both cases, the women were in a dilemma between hope and hopelessness. CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate that women facing high-risk pregnancies struggle with multiple fears and concerns about their own health and the fetus's health. Further research is needed to identify best practices for the care provided to the vulnerable populations.

An Update on the Implications of New Psychoactive Substances in Public Health.

The emergence of new psychoactive substances has earned a great deal of attention, and several reports of acute poisoning and deaths have been issued involving, for instance, synthetic opiates. In recent years, there have been profound alterations in the legislation concerning consumption, marketing, and synthesis of these compounds; rapid alert systems have also been subject to changes, and new substances and new markets, mainly through the internet, have appeared. Their effects and how they originate in consumers are still mostly unknown, primarily in what concerns chronic toxicity. This review intends to provide a detailed description of these substances from the point of view of consumption, toxicokinetics, and health consequences, including case reports on intoxications in order to help researchers and public health agents working daily in this area.

The Apparent Activation Energy of a Novel Low-Calcium Silicate Hydraulic Binder.

In this work, the apparent activation energy (Ea) of a novel low-calcium binder was, for the first time, experimentally determined, using a calorimetric approach. Additionally, a correlation between the Ea, measured at the acceleration period with the C/S ratio of the hydration product is proposed. The Ea of the prepared pastes was determined through isothermal calorimetry tests by calculating the specific rate of reaction at different temperatures, using two different approaches. When comparing the Ea, at the acceleration period of this novel binder with the one published for alite and belite, we observed that its value is higher, which may be a result of a different hydration product formed with a distinct C/S ratio. Finally, to study the temperature effect on the compressive strength at early ages, a set of experiments with mortars was performed. The results showed that the longer the curing time at 35 °C, the higher the compressive strength after 2 days of hydration, which suggests a higher initial development of hydration products. This study also indicated that the novel binder has a higher sensitivity to temperature when compared with ordinary Portland cement (OPC).

Alternative Clinker Technologies for Reducing Carbon Emissions in Cement Industry: A Critical Review.

Currently, the production of one ton of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) releases considerable amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere. As the need and demand for this material grows exponentially, it has become a challenge to increase its production at a time when climate-related problems represent a major global concern. The two main CO2 contributors in this process are fossil fuel combustion to heat the rotary kiln and the chemical reaction associated with the calcination process, in the production of the clinker, the main component of OPC. The current paper presents a critical review of the existent alternative clinker technologies (ACTs) that are under an investigation trial phase or under restricted use for niche applications and that lead to reduced emissions of CO2. Also, the possibility of transition of clinker production from traditional rotary kilns based on fuel combustion processes to electrification is discussed, since this may lead to the partial or even complete elimination of the CO2 combustion-related emissions, arising from the heating of the clinker kiln.

Determination of Selected Cathinones in Blood by Solid-Phase Extraction and GC-MS.

The emergence of potentially dangerous new psychoactive substances (NPS) is challenging for forensic laboratories, as well as the ability to develop and validate methods for a rapid and unambiguous monitoring of these compounds. Thereupon, the aim of this work was to establish a methodology for the identification and quantification of four synthetic cathinones already seized in Portugal [4-chloroethcathinone (4-CEC), α-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (α-PVP), 4-chloro-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (4-Cl-PVP) and methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV)] in whole blood samples, using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The analytes were extracted from blood by solid-phase extraction (SPE) and derivatized with N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (MSTFA) with 5% trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS). For all analytes, linearity was observed from 25 (lower limit of quantification, LLOQ) to 800 ng/mL, with coefficients of determination higher than 0.99. The limits of detection (LOD) were 5 ng/mL for α-PVP, 4-Cl-PVP and MDPV and 25 ng/mL for 4-CEC. The method was selective, precise and accurate, and the extraction efficiency was higher than 85% for all analytes. The target cathinones were stable under different stock conditions, being MDPV the most stable and 4-CEC the least stable compound. The validated analytical method was then applied to real samples that previously tested positive for amphetamines, but no positive samples were found for the cathinones under study. The present method describes for the first time the quantification of 4-CEC and 4-Cl-PVP in whole blood samples by GC-MS, allowing their accurate determination in forensic situations where the compounds are involved.

Recent bionalytical methods for the determination of new psychoactive substances in biological specimens.

One of the problems associated with the consumption of new psychoactive substances is that in most scenarios of acute toxicity the possibility of quick clinical action may be impaired because many screening methods are not responsive to them, and laboratories are not able to keep pace with the appearance of new substances. For these reasons, developing and validating new analytical methods is mandatory in order to efficiently face those problems, allowing laboratories to be one step ahead. The goal of this work is to perform a critical review regarding bionalytical methods that can be used for the determination of new psychoactive substances (phenylethylamines, cathinones, synthetic cannabinoids, opioids, benzodiazepines, etc), particularly concerning sample preparation techniques and associated analytical methods.

Efeito do misoprostol sobre a recuperaçäo ponderal do fígado em regeneraçäo: estudo experimental / Effect of misoprostol upon ponderal recuperation of the liver in generation: experimental study

Este trabalho tem o objetivo de avaliar, de modo experimental, a açäo do misoprostol sobre a regeneraçäo hepática. Cinqüenta ratos fêmeas Wistar, pesando entre 160 e 250g., foram submetidas a hepatectomia parcial (70%) após quatro dias de administraçäo oral de misoprostol (50 mcg/Kg/dia) ou soro fisiológico (Grupo controle). Estes animais foram sacrificados em 1, 2, 3, 7 e 10 dias após a cirurgia para realizaçäo de uma análise ponderal sobre a regeneraçäo hepática, mostrando-se estatisticamente significante a diferença entre os dois grupos