Development of low-cost planar electrodes and microfluidic channels for applications in capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (C4 D).

Electrochemical techniques are commonly applied to micro total analysis system (µTAS) devices mainly due to its high sensitivity and miniaturization capacity. Among many electrochemical techniques, capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (C4 D) stands out for not requiring direct electrode-solution contact, avoiding several problems such as electrolysis, bubble formation, and metal degradation. Furthermore, the instrumentation required for C4 D measurements is compact, low cost, and easy to use, allowing in situ measurements to be performed even by nonspecialized personal. Contrarily, the production of metallic electrodes and microchannels adequate for C4 D measurements commonly requires specialized facilities and workers, increasing the costs of applying these methods. We propose alternatives to batch manufacture metallic electrodes and polymeric microchannels for C4 D analysis using more straightforward equipment and lower-cost materials. Three devices with different dielectric layer compositions and electrode sizes were tested and compared regarding their analytical performance. The constructed platforms have shown a reduction of more than 64% in cost when compared to traditional techniques and displayed good linearity (R2 ≥ 0.994), reproducibility (RSD ≤ 4.07%, n = 3), and limits of detection (≤0.26 mmol/L) when measuring standard NaCl samples. Therefore, the proposed methods were successfully validated and are available for further C4 D applications such as diagnosis of dry-eye syndrome.

Optimization and validation of an SBSE-HPLC-FD method using laboratory-made stir bars for fluoxetine determination in human plasma.

Depression is the largest cause of disability worldwide, affecting 350 million people. Notwithstanding that clinical trials demonstrate antidepressants efficacy, the efficient response can vary individually concerning therapeutic dosage. Although important, plasma levels monitoring remains an analytical challenge whereas clean-up and pre-concentration represent critical steps. Therefore, this study aims to develop, optimize and validate a method for fluoxetine determination in human plasma, employing a laboratory-made device consisting of a PDMS stir bar sorptive for extraction, coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection (SBSE-HPLC-FD). Optimization involved sorption-desorption steps. For sorption, temperature and time were assessed by factorial and central composite design approaches, taking into account the desirability and the response surface results, with stirring speed also examined. For desorption kinetics and ultrasonic and magnetic stirring mode were evaluated. The proposed method after validation was robust, linear (25.00-1000.00 ng mL-1 , R2 > 0.98) and presented good intra- (RSD 4.18%) and inter-day-assay (RSD 11.60%) precision and accuracy (recovery 109.60%), allowing reliable quantitation without interference. The method was successfully applied to real samples. SBSE-HPLC-FD could represent a feasible alternative with good cost-benefit for low-volume samples and therapeutic drug monitoring, as well as contributing to correlation studies between plasma fluoxetine levels and clinical response, which is still little studied.

Percepção de pacientes com diabetes mellitus tipo 1 sobre o transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas / Type1 Diabetes Mellitus Patients' Perception of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a percepção de pacientes com diabetes mellitus tipo 1 acerca do transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas (TCTH). Participaram do estudo 12 pacientes, com idades entre 16 e 24 anos. Foi aplicado um roteiro de entrevista semiestruturada antes e um ano após o TCTH. Os relatos foram submetidos à análise de conteúdo temática e agrupados em três categorias: impacto do adoecimento, vivência do TCTH e retomada do cotidiano. Os resultados evidenciaram que os participantes foram capazes de identificar ganhos e refletir sobre as perdas advindas dessa situação-limite. Puderam perceber possibilidades de se beneficiarem do TCTH e vislumbraram no transplante uma oportunidade para além das inevitáveis dificuldades e limitações impostas pela terapêutica.(AU)

This study aimed to investigate how type 1 diabetes mellitus patients perceive hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Twelve patients participated, ranging in age from 16 to 24 years. Semi-structured interviews were held before and one year after the HSCT. Three categories emerged from the thematic content analysis: impact of the disease, experience of HSCT and reassuming daily life. The results evidenced that, although it is a highly invasive and threatening procedure, the participants were able to identify gains and to reflect on the losses deriving from this borderline situation. They realized there were possibilities to benefit from HSCT and saw it as an opportunity beyond the inevitable difficulties and limitations the treatment imposed.(AU)

Percepção de pacientes com diabetes mellitus tipo 1 sobre o transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas / Type1 Diabetes Mellitus Patients' Perception of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a percepção de pacientes com diabetes mellitus tipo 1 acerca do transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas (TCTH). Participaram do estudo 12 pacientes, com idades entre 16 e 24 anos. Foi aplicado um roteiro de entrevista semiestruturada antes e um ano após o TCTH. Os relatos foram submetidos à análise de conteúdo temática e agrupados em três categorias: impacto do adoecimento, vivência do TCTH e retomada do cotidiano. Os resultados evidenciaram que os participantes foram capazes de identificar ganhos e refletir sobre as perdas advindas dessa situação-limite. Puderam perceber possibilidades de se beneficiarem do TCTH e vislumbraram no transplante uma oportunidade para além das inevitáveis dificuldades e limitações impostas pela terapêutica.

This study aimed to investigate how type 1 diabetes mellitus patients perceive hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Twelve patients participated, ranging in age from 16 to 24 years. Semi-structured interviews were held before and one year after the HSCT. Three categories emerged from the thematic content analysis: impact of the disease, experience of HSCT and reassuming daily life. The results evidenced that, although it is a highly invasive and threatening procedure, the participants were able to identify gains and to reflect on the losses deriving from this borderline situation. They realized there were possibilities to benefit from HSCT and saw it as an opportunity beyond the inevitable difficulties and limitations the treatment imposed.

Qualidade de vida e ajustamento psicossocial de pacientes com diabetes mellitus tipo 1 submetidos ao transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas um estudo de acompanhamento

O transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas tem surgido como alternativa ao tratamento de doenças autoimunes como artrite reumatóide, lúpus eritematoso sistêmico, esclerose múltipla e diabetes mellitus tipo 1. No diabetes mellitus tipo 1, uma síndrome de etiologia múltipla, o transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas, na sua modalidade autóloga, tem sido utilizado como alternativa ao tratamento convencional (insulinoterapia), já que este retarda, mas não elimina as consequências da doença como disfunção e falência de vários órgãos, especialmente rins, olhos, nervos, coração e vasos sanguinho. Apesar disso, o transplante é um procedimento altamente invasivo que acarreta repercussões intensas na qualidade de vida desses pacientes exigindo dos mesmos uma readaptação à essas repercussões. O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a qualidade de vida e o ajustamento psicossocial de participantes com diabetes mellitus tipo 1. Participaram do estudo 22 pacientes que foram submetidos consecutivamente ao transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas na Unidade de Transplante de Medula Óssea do Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo, no período de 2006 a 2008...(AU)

Transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells has emerged as an alternative to the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes mellitus. In the latter, a syndrome of multiple etiology, the hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, in its autologous method, has been used as an alternative to conventional treatment (therapy with insulin), once it slows, but does not eliminate the consequences of the disease such as dysfunction and failure of various organs, especially kidneys, eyes, nerves, heart and blood vessels. Nevertheless, transplantation is a highly invasive procedure that carries severe repercussions on the quality of life of these patients, requiring from them a readjustment to these repercussions. The present study aimed to evaluate the quality of life and psychosocial adjustment of participants with type 1 diabetes mellitus. The study included 22 patients who underwent consecutive hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the Bone Marrow Transplantation Ward of the Hospital das Clinicas of the University of Sao Paulo at Ribeirao Preto Medical School, between 2006 and 2008..(AU)

Adaptação transcultural de instrumentos de avaliação psicológica: levantamento dos estudos realizados no Brasil de 2000 a 2010 / Cross-cultural adaptation of psychological assessment instruments: Brazilian literature review from 2000 to 2010

Diante da busca de aprimoramento técnico-científico nos processos de avaliação psicológica, este trabalho apresenta um panorama das investigações científicas brasileiras acerca da adaptação de instrumentos de avaliação psicológica. Com base em levantamento bibliográfico dos estudos publicados no período de 2000 a 2010, foram selecionados 24 estudos que constituíram o corpusanalisado. A maioria dos trabalhos seguiu diretrizes internacionais e nacionais de adaptação de instrumentos, sendo que 24 estudos realizaram processo de tradução, 18 apresentaram análise de fidedignidade e 16, evidências de validade. Pôde-se depreender, dentre os estudos analisados, que há uma variedade de procedimentos empregados para a adaptação de instrumentos de avaliação psicológica no contexto brasileiro. Ainda, puderam ser observadas algumas diferenças quanto à utilização de termos referentes à taxonomia psicométrica. Nesse sentido, pretende-se oferecer elementos para reflexão de pesquisadores e profissionais no que diz respeito à adaptação de instrumentos de avaliação psicológica no Brasil.(AU)

Given the search for technical-scientific improvement in the psychological assessment processes, this paper presents an overview of the Brazilian research about the cross-cultural adaptation of psychological assessment instruments. Based in a literature review of studies published between the period from 2000 to 2010, 24 studies were selected that formed the corpus analyzed. Most studies have followed international and national guidelines, among which 24 studies performed translation process, 18 showed analysis of reliability and 16 studies presented validity evidences. It can be concluded, among the analyzed studies, that there are a variety of procedures employed for the adaptation of psychological assessment instruments in the Brazilian context. Still, some differences were observed regarding the use of terms referring to the psychometric taxonomy. It is intended to provide reflection elements to researchers and professionals regarding the adaptation of psychological assessment instruments in Brazil. .(AU)

Adaptação transcultural de instrumentos de avaliação psicológica: levantamento dos estudos realizados no Brasil de 2000 a 2010 / Cross-cultural adaptation of psychological assessment instruments: Brazilian literature review from 2000 to 2010

Diante da busca de aprimoramento técnico-científico nos processos de avaliação psicológica, este trabalho apresenta um panorama das investigações científicas brasileiras acerca da adaptação de instrumentos de avaliação psicológica. Com base em levantamento bibliográfico dos estudos publicados no período de 2000 a 2010, foram selecionados 24 estudos que constituíram o corpusanalisado. A maioria dos trabalhos seguiu diretrizes internacionais e nacionais de adaptação de instrumentos, sendo que 24 estudos realizaram processo de tradução, 18 apresentaram análise de fidedignidade e 16, evidências de validade. Pôde-se depreender, dentre os estudos analisados, que há uma variedade de procedimentos empregados para a adaptação de instrumentos de avaliação psicológica no contexto brasileiro. Ainda, puderam ser observadas algumas diferenças quanto à utilização de termos referentes à taxonomia psicométrica. Nesse sentido, pretende-se oferecer elementos para reflexão de pesquisadores e profissionais no que diz respeito à adaptação de instrumentos de avaliação psicológica no Brasil.

Given the search for technical-scientific improvement in the psychological assessment processes, this paper presents an overview of the Brazilian research about the cross-cultural adaptation of psychological assessment instruments. Based in a literature review of studies published between the period from 2000 to 2010, 24 studies were selected that formed the corpus analyzed. Most studies have followed international and national guidelines, among which 24 studies performed translation process, 18 showed analysis of reliability and 16 studies presented validity evidences. It can be concluded, among the analyzed studies, that there are a variety of procedures employed for the adaptation of psychological assessment instruments in the Brazilian context. Still, some differences were observed regarding the use of terms referring to the psychometric taxonomy. It is intended to provide reflection elements to researchers and professionals regarding the adaptation of psychological assessment instruments in Brazil. .