Determination of Halogens by Ion Chromatography in Edible Mushrooms after Microwave-Induced Combustion for Sample Preparation.

In this study, the microwave-induced combustion (MIC) method was evaluated for the sample preparation of the most consumed mushroom species in Brazil (Champignon, Shiitake, and Shimeji) and further halogen determination by ion chromatography (IC). For this, sample mass, combustion aid mass, and absorbing solution (H2O and 50 mmol·L-1, 100 mmol·L-1, or 150 mmol·L-1 NH4OH) were evaluated. Bromine and iodine concentrations, determined by IC, were lower than the limits of detection (LODs, Br: 6 mg·kg-1 and I: 24 mg·kg-1). Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was also used for Br and I determination, and the LODs were lower (Br: 0.066 mg·kg-1 and I: 0.014 mg·kg-1) than those obtained by IC. Concentrations of Cl, obtained by IC, ranged from 523 mg·kg-1 to 13053 mg·kg-1 with LOD of 40 mg·kg-1. In turn, Br and I concentrations, obtained by ICP-MS, ranged from 2.49 mg·kg-1 to 5.50 mg·kg-1 and from <0.014 mg·kg-1 to 0.047 mg·kg-1, respectively. Fluorine concentrations, determined by IC, were always lower than LOD (23 mg·kg-1). The trueness of the proposed methods was evaluated by recovery tests using standard solutions and a reference material (RM NIST 8435). When using the standard solution, recoveries ranged from 95% to 103% for halogen determination by IC and from 105% to 109% for Br and I determination by ICP-MS. When using the RM, recoveries of 102% for Cl by IC and of 87% and 86% for Br and I by ICP-MS, respectively, were obtained.

Correlação da Escala de Sonolência de Epworth com alterações na polissonografia na avaliação da sonolência excessiva diurna em pacientes com síndrome da apneia-hipopneia obstrutiva do sono / Correlation of Epworth Sleepiness Scale with polysomnography changes in the assessment of excessive daytime sleepiness in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome

Introdução: A sonolência excessiva diurna (SED) é um importante transtorno do sono e frequentemente é associado à síndrome da apneia-hipopneia obstrutiva do sono (SAHOS). É conhecido como um fator predisponente comum para acidentes, redução da produtividade, comprometimento neurocognitivo e interpessoal e/ou problemas sociais. Portanto, a detecção precoce da SED é fundamental. Objetivo: Avaliar a correlação da escala de sonolência de Epworth (ESE) com parâmetros polissonográficos nos pacientes com SAHOS. Métodos: O estudo avaliou 1264 laudos de exames de polissonografia de pacientes com SAHOS admitidos de janeiro de 2009 até dezembro de 2013 no Instituto do Sono dos Campos Gerais. Os laudos foram divididos inicialmente em grupos de acordo com a gravidade da SAHOS e em seguida de acordo com a pontuação obtida na ESE e avaliados de acordo com os resultados dos parâmetros polissonográficos. Resultados: Dos laudos analisados, 822 (65,03%) eram de pacientes do sexo masculino e 442 (34,97%) do sexo feminino. A análise da pontuação da ESE evidenciou uma relação com a SAHOS (r = 0,175, p < 0,00001). Quando analisado os subgrupos de gravidade, apenas a SAHOS grave apresentou correlação significativa com a ESE (r = 0,136, p = 0,0004). Conclusões: A escala possui correlação com a SAHOS grave. Devido à importância da detecção precoce da sonolência, a ESE pode ser utilizada como método de avaliação rápida em pacientes com a SAHOS, estimando sua gravidade e a existência de SED (AU)

Introduction: Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is an important sleep disorder, frequently associated to the obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). It is known to be an important predisposing factor to accidents, decreased productivity, neurocognitive disorders and social issues. Thus, early detection of EDS is crucial. Objective: To evaluate the correlation of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) with polysomnographic parameters in patients with OSAHS. Method: The study evaluated 1264 reports of polysomnography of patients with OSAHS admitted from January 2009 to December 2013 at the Instituto do Sono dos Campos Gerais. The reports were initially divided into groups according to the severity of OSAHS and then according to the score obtained in ESE and evaluated according to the results of the polysomnographic parameters. Results: From the analyzed reports, 822 (65.03%) were male patients, and 442 (34.87%) were female patients. According to the ESS scores analysis, a relation was observed between the scale and OSAHS (r = 0.175, p < 0.,00001). However, when divided into subgroups only severe OSAHS presented a significant correlation (r = 0.136, p = 0.0004). Conclusion: The scale is more strongly related with severe OSAHS, which is also more likely to develop EDS. Due to the importance of early detection of sleepiness, the ESS can be used as a method of rapid assessment in patients with OSAHS, to estimate its severity and the presence of SED. (AU)

Effects of zinc against mercury toxicity in female rats 12 and 48 hours after HgCl2 exposure.

This work investigated the toxicity of inorganic mercury and zinc preventive effects in female rats sacrificed 12 or 48 h after HgCl2 exposure. Female Wistar rats were subcutaneously injected with ZnCl2 (27 mg/kg) or saline (0.9 %), and 24 h later they were exposed to HgCl2 (5 mg/kg) or saline (0.9 %). Rats sacrificed 12 hours after Hg administration presented an increase in kidney weight and a decrease in renal ascorbic acid levels. Zinc pretreatment prevented the renal weight increase. Rats sacrificed 48 h after Hg exposure presented a decrease in body weight gain, an increase in renal weight, a decrease in renal δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity, an increase in serum creatinine and urea levels, and a decrease in kidney total thiol levels. Zinc pretreatment partly prevented the decrease in body weight gain and increase in creatinine levels, in addition to totally preventing renal δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase inhibition. Mercury accumulation in the kidney and liver in both periods was observed after Hg administration. These results show the different Hg effects along the time of intoxication, and a considerably preventive effect of zinc against Hg toxicity.

Hydroxyapatite granules used in the obliteration of mastoid cavities in rats.

UNLABELLED: Prospective experimental study in which we created a bony defect in the mastoids of rats and filled it up with hydroxyapatite to evaluate bone regeneration, to solve the problems of open cavities after mastoidectomies that frequently present with otorrhea, infection, granulation tissue and hearing loss. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate bone regeneration in defects created in the mastoids of rats, using hydroxyapatite, to see how much of the cavity we could reduce. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve rats Wistar-Furth were used. A 0.5 x 0.5 cm bone defect was created in both temporal bones of the rats, and filled with 15 micrograms of hydroxyapatite. The left side was used as control. The animals were slaughtered 40 days afterwards and histology analyses were carried out. RESULTS: In the hydroxyapatite group, the new bone growth involved an area of 68.53% of the total; and in the control group it was only of 15.97%. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: It was observed a very good hydroxyapatite integration to the temporal bone in this experimental model. The microscopic results were superior with the use of hydroxyapatite when compared to the control group. It is a safe method and easy to apply to solve the problems of open cavities with chronic discharge and difficult to clean.

Hydroxyapatite granules used in the obliteration of mastoid cavities in rats / Utilização de hidroxiapatita de cálcio no preenchimento de defeitos ósseos criados em mastoides de ratos

Prospective Experimental study in which we created a bony defect in the mastoids of rats and filled it up with hydroxyapatite to evaluate bone regeneration, to solve the problems of open cavities after mastoidectomies that frequently present with otorrhea, infection, granulation tissue and hearing loss. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate bone regeneration in defects created in the mastoids of rats, using hydroxyapatite, to see how much of the cavity we could reduce. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve rats Wistar-Furth were used. A 0.5 x 0.5 cm bone defect was created in both temporal bones of the rats, and filled with 15 micrograms of hydroxyapatite. The left side was used as control. The animals were slaughtered 40 days afterwards and histology analyses were carried out. RESULTS: In the hydroxyapatite group, the new bone growth involved an area of 68.53 percent of the total; and in the control group it was only of 15.97 percent. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIOn: It was observed a very good hydroxyapatite integration to the temporal bone in this experimental model. The microscopic results were superior with the use of hydroxyapatite when compared to the control group. It is a safe method and easy to apply to solve the problems of open cavities with chronic discharge and difficult to clean.

Estudo experimental prospectivo utilizando ratos que foram submetidos à realização de defeito ósseo em mastoide para avaliar o grau de regeneração óssea após preenchimento com hidroxiapatita de cálcio sintética, para resolver o problema das cavidades abertas pós-mastoidectomia que frequentemente se apresentam com secreção, tecido de granulação, otorreia e perda de audição. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a regeneração óssea em defeitos criados em mastoides de ratos, utilizando hidroxiapatita cáustica, avaliando quanto a cavidade mastoidea criada pode ser diminuída, por meio de microscopia óptica. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Foram utilizados 12 ratos Wistar. Foi criado um defeito ósseo de 0,5cm x 0,5cm no osso temporal de todos os animais bilateralmente com broca. Padronizou-se à direita o preenchimento do defeito com 15 microgramas de hidroxiapatita, e à esquerda o não preenchimento como controle. A eutanásia foi realizada no 40º pós-operatório e procedeu-se à análise histológica. RESULTADOS: No grupo hidroxiapatita, a neoformação óssea perfez uma área correspondente a 68,53 por cento, no grupo controle 15,97 por cento (p=0,0022). CONCLUSÃO: Observou-se a integração satisfatória da hidroxiapatita nesse modelo experimental. Pode ser um método de fácil aplicação para resolver o problema das cavidades abertas.