High resolution mass spectrometry analysis of the sertraline residues contained in the tissues of rainbow trout reared in model experimental conditions.

The growing consumption of pharmaceuticals in the human population and the insufficient efficiency of their elimination in waste water has a long-term negative impact on the environment of aquatic ecosystems, including the organisms that inhabit them. A significant contributor is the consumption of anti-depressants from the SSRI group, which corresponds to their increasing concentration in the environment. The aim of this work was to determine if antidepressant sertraline is able to be stored in fish organisms and to evaluate the content of residues in various body tissues. Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchuss mykkis) was selected as the test organism and was artificially exposed to the antidepressant for 1 month (concentrations 0; 4.2; 44 and 400 ng.g-1 sertraline in the feed). Liver, kidney, brain and muscle tissue biopsies samples were taken for analysis. Detection was performed using an Accela 1250 LC pump and an Accela autosampler coupled with a high-performance mass analyzer with a heated electrospray ionization source Q-Exactive Orbitrap, operating in positive ionization mode and in PRM mode (m/z 306.08108->275.03888 and 309.009991->275.03888 for sertraline and internal standard, respectively). The limit of quantification of the method was 0.1 ng.g-1 of sertraline and the calibration curve showed a good linearity up to 20 ng.g-1. From the collected data, amount of residues was found in the liver, kidney and brain. In contrast, the incidence of residues in muscle tissue was not detected in all groups, which is favorable from the point of view of fish meat consumption, by humans.

Perioperative interstitial CT-based brachytherapy boost in breast cancer patients with breast conservation after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Intraoperative placement of catheters in the tumor bed during breast-conserving surgery (BCS) enables postponed targeted boost irradiation in high risk breast cancer patients. Twenty-three patients with high risk breast cancer underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy and multifractionated perioperative brachytherapy as a boost to the tumor bed using three-dimensional (3D) CT-based planning. Plastic catheters for brachytherapy were implanted during surgery and targeted irradiation was delivered in the course of 2-3 weeks. Acute and late toxicities were scored according to the RTOG Common Toxicity Criteria. Cosmetic outcomes were assessed using the Harvard criteria. No major perioperative complications were recorded. Circumscribed wound infection occurred in one patient (4.3%). Only 3 patients (13%) experienced acute skin toxicity Grade 1. We observed no teleangiectasias or pigmentations. The cosmetic outcome at last follow-up visit was rated as excellent/good, in 82.6%, fair, in 13% and poor in 4.4% of patients, respectively. There was no evidence of disease recurrence after median follow-up of 43. 4 months. Systematic integration of the perioperative fractionated 3D CT-based HDR brachytherapy as a boost for patients with breast cancer after BCS is feasible and seems safe. It might be beneficial especially for women with high risk of local recurrence.

In-house validation of liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for determination of semicarbazide in eggs and stability of analyte in matrix.

An improved LC-MS/MS method for the determination of semicarbazide in whole egg is described. Waters OASIS-MCX cation exchange purification cartridges increased the sensitivity for analysis by LC-MS/MS. The validation study was carried out according to criteria and requirements of Commission Decision 2002/657/EC for confirmatory analysis and provided the data as follows: The correlation coefficient for the matrix calibration curve, in the range of 0-5 microg kg(-1), was r=0.9968. The detection capability and decision limit, measured according to ISO11843-2, were CCalpha=0.20 microg kg(-1) and CCbeta=0.25 microg kg(-1). Repeatability (CVSr) and within-laboratory reproducibility (CVSwr) determined for the concentration levels of 0.2, 0.5 and 1.0 microg kg(-1) SEM ranged from 11.9 to 5.7% and 11.8 to 6.3%, respectively. The validated method was applied to investigate SEM stability in incurred materials (egg homogenates) during long-term storage at -20 degrees C and 4 degrees C. The study proved by a two-sampling test that SEM at levels of 17. 7, 1.2, 10.6 and 0.47 microg kg(-1) was stable for up to 12 months.

Environmental specimen banking in the Czech Republic: a pilot study.

In recognition of the importance of environmental specimen banking (ESB) as an important component of the described ongoing real-time environmental and health-related monitoring programmes, a proposal for a planned ESB pilot study in the Czech Republic is presented. Selection of biomonitors, analytes, sampling techniques and sites is discussed, especially with regard to the possible harmonization with ESB already operational abroad. Availability of validated analytical techniques for determination of up to 30 elements using nuclear and spectroscopic techniques, including speciation of several metals, and of the most important organic pollutants employing various chromatographic techniques in biological and environmental samples is demonstrated.

Preliminary report on use of a p(HEMA)-collagen composite in maxillo-facial surgery.

After being thoroughly tested on animals, a composite polymer material based on poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and calf skin collagen has been allowed in a limited clinical trial in the Czech Republic. Up to now, the medical use of the biomaterial comprises implants for maxillo-facial surgery, i.e. augmentation of soft tissues (seven cases); reparation of fractured eye sockets (12 cases) and in special indications (two cases). The clinical results obtained so far are presented here as case reports. These preliminary results are very encouraging for a broader utilization of this type of biomaterial in the surgical fields of human medicine.