Genes differentially expressed by methylprednisolone in vivo in CD4 T lymphocytes from multiple sclerosis patients: potential biomarkers.

Intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) is the gold standard treatment in acute relapses of multiple sclerosis. Knowing the response to IVMP in advance could facilitate earlier selection of patients for subsequent courses of therapy. However, molecular mechanisms and changes in gene expression induced by methylprednisolone remain unknown. The aim of the study was to identify in vivo differentially expressed genes in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients after 3-6 days of treatment with IVMP. For this purpose, whole-genome transcription profiling of CD4+ T lymphocytes was performed before and after treatment with IVMP in 8 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients during relapse using Human GE 4x44K v2 microarrays. Differentially expressed genes were identified using a paired t test on GeneSpring v13.0 software. A P-value <0.001 and a twofold change were considered significant. Microarray data were confirmed using real-time PCR. Microarray revealed changes in gene expression: four genes were downregulated (B3GNT3, ZNF683, IFNG and TNF) and seven upregulated (DEFA4, CTSG, DEFA8P, AZU1, MPO, ELANE and PRTN3). Pathway analysis revealed the transforming growth factor-ß signaling pathway to be affected. Comparison with previously published data on in vitro methylprednisolone-regulated genes showed that SMAD7, TNF and CHI3L1 were also downregulated in vivo in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients. In summary, we performed the first in vivo transcriptome analysis in CD4+ T lymphocytes before and after the treatment with IVMP in patients with multiple sclerosis. Identification of differentially expressed genes in patients receiving IVMP could improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of IVMP and highlight potential biomarkers of the response to IVMP.

Determination of marker pteridines in urine by HPLC with fluorimetric detection and second-order multivariate calibration using MCR-ALS.

A liquid chromatographic method has been developed, in combination with the multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares algorithm (MCR-ALS), for the simultaneous determination of marker pteridines in urine samples. A central composite design has been applied to optimize the factors influencing the separation (buffer concentration, buffer pH, flow rate, oven temperature, mobile-phase composition). A set of 15 calibration samples were randomly prepared, in a concentration range of 0.5-10.5 ng mL(-1) for neopterin, biopterin, and pterin; 4.0-8.0 ng mL(-1) for xanthopterin; and 0.5-4.5 ng mL(-1) for isoxanthopterin. The validation was carried out with fortified urine samples from healthy adults. The optimized conditions were a mobile-phase composition of 10 mM citric buffer at pH 5.44 and acetonitrile (94.5/5.5, v/v), a flow rate of 1.0 mL min(-1), and an oven temperature of 25 °C. The detection system consisted of a fast-scanning spectrofluorimeter, which allows obtaining of second-order data matrices containing the fluorescence intensity as a function of retention time and emission wavelength. In this work, MCR-ALS was used to cope with coeluting interferences, on account of the second-order advantage inherent to this algorithm which, in addition, is able to handle data sets deviating from trilinearity, like the high-performance liquid chromatography data analyzed in the present report. The developed approach enabled us to determine five pteridines, some of them with overlapped profiles, reducing the experimental time and reagent consumption. Ratio values for pteridines/creatinine in urine, for infected children with different pathologies, are reported in this work.

Chemometric assisted solid-phase microextraction for the determination of anti-inflammatory and antiepileptic drugs in river water by liquid chromatography-diode array detection.

In the present work, an analytical method for the simultaneous determination of seven non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (naproxen, ketoprofen, diclofenac, piroxicam, indomethacin, sulindac and diflunisal) and the anticonvulsant carbamazepine is reported. The method involves preconcentration and clean-up by solid-phase microextraction using polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene fibers, followed by liquid chromatography with diode array detection analysis. Parameters that affect the efficiency of the solid-phase microextraction step such as soaking solvent, soaking period, desorption period, stirring rate, extraction time, sample pH, ionic strength, organic solvent and temperature were investigated using a Plackett-Burman screening design. Then, the factors presenting significant positive effects on the analytical response (soaking period, stirring rate, stirring time) were considered in a further central composite design to optimize the operational conditions for the solid phase microextraction procedure. Additionally, multiple response simultaneous optimization by using the desirability function was used to find the optimum experimental conditions for the on-line solid-phase microextraction of analytes in river water samples coupled to liquid chromatography and diode array detection. The best results were obtained using a soaking period of 5 min, stirring rate of 1400 rpm and stirring time of 44 min. The use of solid-phase microextraction technique avoided matrix effect and allowed to quantify the analytes in river water samples by using Milli-Q based calibration graphs. Recoveries ranging from 71.6% to 122.8% for all pharmaceuticals proved the accuracy of the proposed method in river water samples. Method detection limits were in the range of 0.5-3.0 microgL(-1) and limits of quantitation (LOQs) were between 1.0 and 4.0 microgL(-1) for pharmaceutical compounds in river water samples. The expanded uncertainty associated to the measurement of the concentration ranged between 8.5% and 29.0% for 20 microgL(-1) of each analyte and between 9.0% and 29.5% for the average of different concentration levels. The main source of uncertainty was the calibration step in both cases.

Solving matrix-effects exploiting the second order advantage in the resolution and determination of eight tetracycline antibiotics in effluent wastewater by modelling liquid chromatography data with multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares and unfolded-partial least squares followed by residual bilinearization algorithms I. Effect of signal pre-treatment.

The effect of piecewise direct standardization (PDS) and baseline correction approaches was evaluated in the performance of multivariate curve resolution (MCR-ALS) algorithm for the resolution of three-way data sets from liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (LC-DAD). First, eight tetracyclines (tetracycline, oxytetracycline, chlorotetracycline, demeclocycline, methacycline, doxycycline, meclocycline and minocycline) were isolated from 250 mL effluent wastewater samples by solid-phase extraction (SPE) with Oasis MAX 500 mg/6 mL cartridges and then separated on an Aquasil C18 150 mm x 4.6mm (5 microm particle size) column by LC and detected by DAD. Previous experiments, carried out with Milli-Q water samples, showed a considerable loss of the most polar analytes (minocycline, oxitetracycline and tetracycline) due to breakthrough. PDS was applied to overcome this important drawback. Conversion of chromatograms obtained from standards prepared in solvent was performed obtaining a high correlation with those corresponding to the real situation (r2 = 0.98). Although the enrichment and clean-up steps were carefully optimized, the sample matrix caused a large baseline drift, and also additive interferences were present at the retention times of the analytes. These problems were solved with the baseline correction method proposed by Eilers. MCR-ALS was applied to the corrected and uncorrected three-way data sets to obtain spectral and chromatographic profiles of each tetracycline, as well as those corresponding to the co-eluting interferences. The complexity of the calibration model built from uncorrected data sets was higher, as expected, and the quality of the spectral and chromatographic profiles was worse.

Solving matrix effects exploiting the second-order advantage in the resolution and determination of eight tetracycline antibiotics in effluent wastewater by modelling liquid chromatography data with multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares and unfolded-partial least squares followed by residual bilinearization algorithms II. Prediction and figures of merit.

A new powerful algorithm (unfolded-partial least squares followed by residual bilinearization (U-PLS/RBL)) was applied for first time on second-order liquid chromatography with diode array detection (LC-DAD) data and compared with a well-known established method (multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares (MCR-ALS)) for the simultaneous determination of eight tetracyclines (tetracycline, oxytetracycline, meclocycline, minocycline, metacycline, chlortetracycline, demeclocycline and doxycycline) in wastewaters. Tetracyclines were pre-concentrated using Oasis Max C18 cartridges and then separated on a Thermo Aquasil C18 (150 mm x 4.6mm, 5 microm) column. The whole method was validated using Milli-Q water samples and both univariate and multivariate analytical figures of merit were obtained. Additionally, two data pre-treatment were applied (baseline correction and piecewise direct standardization), which allowed to correct the effect of breakthrough and to reduce the total interferences retained after pre-concentration of wastewaters. The results showed that the eight tetracycline antibiotics can be successfully determined in wastewaters, the drawbacks due to matrix interferences being adequately handled and overcome by using U-PSL/RBL.

Determination of dexamethasone and two excipients (creatinine and propylparaben) in injections by using UV-spectroscopy and multivariate calibrations.

The use of multivariate spectrophotometric calibration for the simultaneous determination of dexamethasone and two typical excipients (creatinine and propylparaben) in injections is presented. The resolution of the three-component mixture in a matrix of excipients has been accomplished by using partial least-squares (PLS-1). Notwithstanding the elevated degree of spectral overlap, they have been rapidly and simultaneously determined with high accuracy and precision (comparable to the HPLC pharmacopeial method), with no interference, and without resorting to extraction procedures using non-aqueous solvents. A simple and fast method for wavelength selection in the calibration step is used, based on the minimisation of the predicted error sum of squares (PRESS) calculated as a function of a moving spectral window.

Simultaneous determination of phenobarbital and phenytoin in tablet preparations by multivariate spectrophotometric calibration.

The use of multivariate spectrophotometric calibration for the simultaneous determination of the active components of antiepileptic tablets is presented. The resolution of binary mixtures of phenobarbital and phenytoin has been accomplished by using partial least squares (PLS-1) regression analysis. Although the components show an important degree of spectral overlap, they have been simultaneously determined with high accuracy, with no interference from tablet excipients. A comparison is presented with the related multivariate method of classical least squares (CLS) analysis, which is shown to yield less reliable results due to the severe spectral overlap presented by the studied compounds. A statistical measure for the spectral overlap is proposed.

Determination of bromhexine in cough-cold syrups by absorption spectrophotometry and multivariate calibration using partial least-squares and hybrid linear analyses. Application of a novel method of wavelength selection.

The mucolitic bromhexine [N-(2-amino-3,5-dibromobenzyl)-N-methylcyclohexylamine] has been determined in cough suppressant syrups by multivariate spectrophotometric calibration, together with partial least-squares (PLS-1) and hybrid linear analysis (HLA). Notwithstanding the spectral overlapping between bromhexine and syrup excipients, as well as the intrinsic variability of the latter in unknown samples, the recoveries are excellent. A novel method of wavelength selection was also applied, based on the concept of net analyte signal regression, as adapted to the HLA methodology. This method allows one to improve the performance of both PLS-1 and HLA in samples containing nonmodeled interferences.

Simultaneous multivariate spectrophotometric analysis of paracetamol and minor components (diphenhydramine or phenylpropanolamine) in tablet preparations.

The use of multivariate spectrophotometric calibration is reported for the analysis of two decongestant tablets, where paracetamol is the principal component and diphenhydramine or phenylpropanolamine are the minor components. The resolution of these mixtures has been accomplished without prior separation or derivatisation, by using partial least-squares (PLS-1) regression analysis of electronic absorption spectral data. Although the molar ratios of paracetamol to the minor components were 38:1 and 25:1 respectively, the latter have been determined with high accuracy and precision, and with no interference from tablet excipients. PLS is able to take into account small deviations of paracetamol from linearity in the studied concentration range. The application of classical least-squares (CLS) analysis yields unsatisfactory results, due to the low absorbances of the minor components within the range where all components obey Beer's law.

Simultaneous determination of rifampicin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide in tablet preparations by multivariate spectrophotometric calibration.

The use of multivariate spectrophotometric calibration is presented for the simultaneous determination of the active components of tablets used in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. The resolution of ternary mixtures of rifampicin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide has been accomplished by using partial least squares (PLS-1) regression analysis. Although the components show an important degree of spectral overlap, they have been simultaneously determined with high accuracy and precision, rapidly and with no need of nonaqueous solvents for dissolving the samples. No interference has been observed from the tablet excipients. A comparison is presented with the related multivariate method of classical least squares (CLS) analysis, which is shown to yield less reliable results due to the severe spectral overlap among the studied compounds. This is highlighted in the case of isoniazid, due to the small absorbances measured for this component.

Simultaneous determination of naphazoline, diphenhydramine and phenylephrine in nasal solutions by capillary electrophoresis.

A capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) method has been developed to separate and quantitate naphazoline (NAPH), dyphenhydramine (DIP) and phenylephrine (PHE) in nasal solutions. Samples were diluted 1:25 in ultrapure water and injected at the anodic end. A central composite design has been used to optimise the experimental conditions for a complete and fast separation of the active ingredients studied. Critical parameters such as voltage, pH and buffer concentration have been studied to evaluate how they affect responses such as resolution and migration times. Separation was performed on a silica capillary with 75 microm I.D. and 70 cm total length at an applied voltage of 17.7 kV with a phosphate run buffer of pH 3.72 and 0.063 mol l(-1). Calibration curves were prepared for NAPH, DIP and PHE. For each analyte, the correlation coefficients were >0.999 (n=15). The RSD% of six replicate injections for each analyte were reasonably good. The method was applied to the quantitation of the three components in a commercial dosage form. The proposed method has the advantage of needing a very simple sample pretreatment and being faster than a typical HPLC chromatographic method.

Achieving second order advantage with multi-way partial least squares and residual bi-linearization with total synchronous fluorescence data of monohydroxy-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urine samples.

An attractive approach to handle matrix interference in samples of unknown composition is to generate second- or higher-order data formats and process them with appropriate chemometric algorithms. Several strategies exist to generate high-order data in fluorescence spectroscopy, including wavelength time matrices, excitation-emission matrices and time-resolved excitation-emission matrices. This article tackles a different aspect of generating high-order fluorescence data as it focuses on total synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy. This approach refers to recording synchronous fluorescence spectra at various wavelength offsets. Analogous to the concept of an excitation-emission data format, total synchronous data arrays fit into the category of second-order data. The main difference between them is the non-bilinear behavior of synchronous fluorescence data. Synchronous spectral profiles change with the wavelength offset used for sample excitation. The work presented here reports the first application of total synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy to the analysis of monohydroxy-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urine samples of unknown composition. Matrix interference is appropriately handled by processing the data either with unfolded-partial least squares and multi-way partial least squares, both followed by residual bi-linearization.

Photoinduced electron transfer fluorometric Hg(II) chemosensor based on a BODIPY armed with a tetrapod receptor.

From the great variety of BODIPY based-chemosensors able to determine Hg(2+), only a small portion has been applied to its determination in environmental and/or biological samples. The lack of studies on the analytical performance of the latter sensors makes interesting the development of investigations oriented to their possible analytical applications. The synthesis of a BODIPY derivative armed with a tetrapod receptor is described. The procedure is based on a previous publication, and the modifications performed to improve the synthesis include alternative procedures with different objectives, as the consecution of a multigram synthesis, improving the low yields of some of the previously proposed procedure steps, simplifying the experimental steps, achieving the desired purity requirements for use with analytical purposes, and enriching the characterization of the implied structures. The characteristics of its selectivity towards Hg(2+) have been investigated, and the OFF-ON fluorometric response, based on a photo-electron transfer (PET) mechanism, served as the base for the development of a method able to determine Hg(2+) in environmental waters at ng mL(-1) levels. The intrinsic fluorescence of the BODIPY core is inhibited and the probe exhibits a weak fluorescence (i.e. "OFF" state due to the deactivating PET effect). Upon complexation, Hg(2+) interacts with the lone-pair electrons on the nitrogen atoms of the receptor moiety so that the electronic transfer from the receptor to the photo-excited fluorophore is slowed down or switched off (i.e. "ON" state due to the suppression of the deactivating PET effect by coordination of the analyte to the probe). Regarding the complex photostability in aqueous solution, it is mandatory to conduct the experiments at darkness due to its photodegradation. The stoichiometry studies indicated a 1:2 relationship for the BODIPY-Hg(2+) complex. The high selectivity towards mercuric ions is considerably influenced by pH, being necessary to conduct the experiments in a pH value higher than 6. Calibration samples were prepared by adding appropriate amounts of Hg(2+) between 20.0-120.0 ng mL(-1), at a constant BODIPY concentration of 1 µmol L(-1). After agitating for 5 min at darkness, phosphate buffer (pH=7.50) was added, and it was diluted to the mark with water. Fluorescence measurements were carried out at 18 °C, exciting at 515 nm, and obtaining fluorescence emission at 538 nm. The method has been satisfactory applied to Hg(2+) determination in environmental water samples.

Absceso frío tuberculoso de pared torácica. A propósito de un caso / Cold tuberculous abscess of thoracic wall. A case report

Mujer de 62 años con leucemia linfática crónica que acude a consultas de cirugía torácica por aparición de una masa en la pared anterior izquierda del tórax de unos diez días de evolución, con leve dolor local. No asocia otra clínica. A la exploración se palpa una masa en pared anterior izquierda, de unos 10-12 cm de diámetro, adherido a planos profundos, de consistencia dura y no rodadera. En la ecografía se objetiva una solución de continuidad de partes blandas que coincide con la tumoración. La tomografía computarizada (TC) de tórax muestra engrosamiento pleural izquierdo con extensión extratorácica hacia la mama homolateral y derrame pericárdico. Ante la sospecha de recaída de su enfermedad se realiza PAAF (punción aspiración con aguja fina), que resulta inespecífica, por lo que se decide biopsia quirúrgica. Durante la intervención quirúrgica se biopsia la masa y se aprecia drenaje espontáneo de material purulento. Se toman cultivos, en los cuales se observan BAAR (bacilos ácido-alcohol resistentes), tratándose de un absceso frío tuberculoso

A 62-year-old woman with chronic lymphatic leukemia who attended consultations for thoracic surgery due to the appearance of mass in the left anterior wall with slight local pain about ten days ago. She does not refer other symptoms. On examination, a mass is palpable in the left anterior wall adhered to deep layers, of about 10-12 cm in diameter, of hard consistency and not rolling. On ultrasound, a soft tissue continuity solution was found that coincides with the tumor. The chest computerized tomography scan (CT) shows left pleural thickening with extrathoracic extension towards homolateral breast and pericardial effusion. FNAP (fine-needle aspiration) is performed if there is a suspicion of relapse of the disease, which is nonspecific, so it is decided to perform surgical biopsy. During the surgical procedure, biopsy of the mass is performed and spontaneous drainage of purulent material is observed. Cultures are taken. Acid-fast bacilli are found in the cultures, as in the case of a cold tuberculous abscess

Traqueobroncopatía osteocodroplástica. Causa de hemoptisis en paciente joven / Osteocodroplastic tracheobroncopathy. Cause of hemoptisis in a young patient

Describimos el caso de un varón de raza caucásica de 42 años que acude a Urgencias por hemoptisis sin repercusión hemodinámica. El paciente no refiere ningún antecedente de interés. Se le realiza angio-tomografía computarizada (angioTC) , la cual descarta tromboembolismo pulmonar y punto de sangrado activo. El paciente es ingresado para completar estudio y vigilancia. Se descartan causas infecciosas y vasculares de la hemoptisis, por lo que tras un nuevo episodio de hemoptisis se decide trasladar a la UCI. Tras dos fibrobroncoscopias, donde se aprecia una mucosa en empedrado del árbol traqueobronquial y tras la toma de biopsias, se concluye que el diagnóstico es compatible con traqueobroncopatía osteocondroplástica

We describe the case of a 42-year-old caucasian male who went to the Emergency room for hemoptysis without hemodynamic repercussion. The patient does not refer any antecedent of interest. Angio-computerized tomography (angioCT) is performed, which rules out pulmonary thromboembolism and active bleeding point. The patient is admitted to complete study and surveillance. Infectious and vascular causes of hemoptysis are ruled out, so after a new episode of hemoptisis, it is decided to move to the ICU. After two fibrobronchoscopies, showing a cobblestone mucosa of the tracheobronchial tree and after taking biopsies, it is concluded that the diagnosis is compatible with osteochondroplastic tracheobronchopathy

Chemometric strategies for enhancing the chromatographic methodologies with second-order data analysis of compounds when peaks are overlapped.

This overview covers the different chemometric strategies linked to chromatographic methodologies that have been used and presented in the recent literature to cope with problems related to incomplete separation, the presence of unexpected components in the sample, matrix effect and changes in the analytical signal due to pre-treatment of sample. Among the different chemometric strategies it focuses on pre-treatment of data to correct background and time shift of chromatographic peaks and the use of second-order algorithms to cope with overlapping peaks from analytes or from analytes and interferences in liquid chromatography coupled to diode array, fast-scanning fluorescence spectroscopy and mass spectrometry detectors. Finally the review presents the strategies used to deal with changes in the analytical response as result of matrix effect in liquid and gas chromatography, as well as the use of standardization strategies to correct modifications in the analytical signal as a consequence of sample pre-treatment in liquid chromatography.

Science based calibration for the extraction of 'analyte-specific' HPLC-DAD chromatograms in environmental analysis.

Multivariate science based calibration (SBC) has been applied to the resolution of overlapped peaks in liquid chromatography with diode array detection (LC-DAD). Complex river water samples spiked with 11 pharmaceutical substances resulted in poorly resolved chromatograms containing additional peaks from interfering matrix compounds and a change in the background absorbance due to the mobile phase gradient. Applying the present multivariate approach it was possible to resolve all 11 analytes from overlapping peaks, obtaining linear calibration lines (R(2)>0.96). Recovery percentages on spiked samples ranged between 74.6 and 113.5%, which are quite satisfactory taking into account the low concentration ranges considered to 1-7 µg L(-1).

Enhanced MCR-ALS modeling of HPLC with fast scan fluorimetric detection second-order data for quantitation of metabolic disorder marker pteridines in urine.

This work presents the development of a liquid chromatographic method based on modeling entire fast scan fluorimetric detection second-order data with the multivariate curve resolution alternating least squares algorithm, for the simultaneous determination of five marker pteridines in urine samples. The modeling strategy involves the building of a single MCR-ALS model composed of matrices augmented in the spectral mode, i.e. time profiles remain invariant while spectra may change from sample to sample. This approach allowed us to separate and determine the whole analytes at once. The developed approach enabled us to determine five of the most important metabolic disorder marker pteridines: biopterin, neopterin, isoxanthopterin, pterin and xanthopterin, three of them presenting emission spectra with the same emission wavelength maxima. In addition, some of these analytes present overlapped time profiles. As a consequence of using the entire data sets, a considerable reduction of the data processing experimental time can be achieved. Results are compared with a previous strategy in which data were split in five different regions, and information about the figures of merit of the new strategy compared with the previously reported strategy is reported.

Determination of pharmaceuticals in river water by column switching of large sample volumes and liquid chromatography-diode array detection, assisted by chemometrics: an integrated approach to green analytical methodologies.

An analytical method for the simultaneous determination of nine beta-blockers (sotalol atenolol, nadolol, pindolol, metoprolol, timolol, bisoprolol, propanolol and betaxolol) and two analgesics (paracetamol and phenazone) in river water by liquid chromatography and diode array detection is reported. The method involves a modified precolumn switching methodology replacing the small precolumn with a short C18 liquid chromatography column (50 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm particle size), thus allowing the preconcentration of large water sample volumes whereas interferences eluting at the first of the chromatogram were discarded to waste. This approach allowed to preconcentrate 30 mL river water samples, modified with 0.4% MeOH, achieving univariate method detection and determination limits ranged between 0.03 and 0.16 microg L(-1) and between 0.2 and 0.5 microg L(-1), respectively, with precision values lower than 9.4% for spiking levels at the quantitation limits of each analyte and lower than 4.0%, except bisoprolol (8.3%), for higher spiking levels (1.0 microg L(-1) of all analytes). Matrix background was reduced in three way data by a baseline correction following the Eilers methodology, whereas multivariate curve resolution and alternating least squares in combination with the standard addition calibration method, applied to these data, coped with overlapping peak, systematic (additive) and proportional (matrix effect) errors. The method was successfully applied for the determination of the target pharmaceuticals in river water from three places in a river stream with acceptable recoveries and precision values, taking into account the complexity of the analytical problem. The joint statistical test for the slope and the intercept of the linear regression between the nominal concentration values versus those predicted, showed that the region computed contained the theoretically expected values (0) for the intercept and (1) for the slope (at a confidence level of 95%), which indicates the absence of both constant and proportional errors in the predicted concentrations.

Chemometric tools improving the determination of anti-inflammatory and antiepileptic drugs in river and wastewater by solid-phase microextraction and liquid chromatography diode array detection.

An analytical method for the simultaneous determination of seven non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (naproxen, ketoprofen, diclofenac, piroxicam, indomethacin, sulindac and diflunisal) and the anticonvulsant carbamazepine in river and wastewater is reported. The method involves pre-concentration and clean-up by solid-phase microextraction using polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene fibers, followed by liquid chromatography with diode array detection analysis. Owing to the fact that river water samples did not contain interferences and no sensitivity changes due to sample matrix were observed, external calibration was implemented. Standardization was also applied in order to carry out the prediction step by preparing only two diluted standards that were subjected to the pre-concentration step and a set of standards prepared in solvent. For the analysis of wastewater samples, in contrast, it was necessary to implement standard addition calibration in combination with the multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares (MCR-ALS) algorithm, which allowed us to overcome matrix effect and exploit the second order advantage. Recoveries ranging from 72% to 125% for all pharmaceuticals proved the accuracy of the proposed method in river water samples. On the other hand, wastewater sample recoveries ranged from 83% to 140% for all pharmaceuticals, showing an acceptable performance - considering this sample contains no modeled interferences.