Quantification of LSD in illicit samples by high performance liquid chromatography

In the present study, a method using high performance liquid chromatography to quantify LSD, in blotter papers seized in Minas Gerais, was optimized and validated. Linearity, precision, recovery, limits of detection and quantification, and selectivity were the parameters used to evaluate performance. The samples were extracted with methanol:water (1: 1) in an ultra-sound bath. The linearity between 0.05 and 20.00 μg/mL (0.5 and 200.0μg of LSD/blotter) was observed with satisfactory mean intra and inter assay precision (RSDr = 4.4% and RSD R = 6.4%, respectively) and with mean recoveries of 83.4% and 84.9% to the levels of 1.00 and 20.00 μg/mL (10 and 200μg LSD/blotter). The limits of detection and quantification were 0.01 and 0.05 μg/mL, respectively (0.1 and 0.5 μg of LSD/blotter). The samples of blotters (n =22) were analyzed and the mean value of 67.55 μg of LSD/blotter (RSD=27.5%) was found. Thus, the method used showed satisfactory analytical performance, and proved suitable as an analytical tool for LSD determination in illicit samples seized by police forces.No presente trabalho, um método utilizando cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência foi otimizado e validado para quantificar o LSD em selos apreendidos em Minas Gerais. A linearidade, precisão, recuperação, limites de detecção e quantificação e seletividade foram os parâmetros de desempenho avaliados. As amostras foram extraídas com metanol: água (1:1) em banho de ultra-som. A linearidade entre 0,05 a 20,00 mg/mL (0,5 a 200 μg LSD/blotter) foi observada com precisão média, intra e inter ensaio, satisfatória (RSDr = 4,4% e RSD R = 6,4%, respectivamente) e com recuperações médias de 83,4% e 84,9% para os níveis de LSD de 1,00 e 20,00 mg/mL (10 e 200 μg LSD/selo). Os limites de detecção e quantificação encontrados foram de 0,01 e 0,05 mg/mL, respectivamente (0,1 e 0,5 μg LSD/selo). As amostras de selos (n = 22) foram analisadas e o valor médio encontrado foi de 67,55 μg de LSD/selo (RSD% = 27,5). Desta forma, o método analítico apresentou desempenho satisfatório, capaz de ser utilizado como instrumento de análise para a determinação do LSD em amostras ilícitas apreendidas pelas forças policiais

Structural Insights into the Ligand Binding Domain of the Glucocorticoid Receptor: A Molecular Dynamics Study

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a ligand-binding dependent transcription factor that ultimately regulates vital biological processes and inflammation response through specific gene expression control, thus representing a notable drug target to explore. Structurally, its ligand binding domain (LBD) harbors the region for the ligand-dependent transcriptional activation function 2 (AF-2), a majorly hydrophobic groove formed by residues from helices H3, H4, and H12, where the H12 position plays a critical role in AF-2 spatial conformation and GR function as a whole. However, the exact mechanisms underlying how regulatory ligands control the H12 structure and dynamics are yet to be elucidated. In this work, we have explored the correlation between ligand identity and GR LBD H12 behavior through different molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. After building diverse GR LBD systems in agonist and nonagonist states, we studied each system?s response in the absence or the presence of an agonist ligand (dexamethasone) or an antagonist ligand (RU486) using classical MD simulations. We complemented them with steered MD for assessing the transition between those states and with the Umbrella Sampling method for free-energy evaluation. On the one hand, successfully obtaining fully folded nonagonist GR LBD states from the partially unfolded crystal GR LBD/RU486 underlines the role of the H1 in the GR LBD folding pathway. On the other hand, our results describe the H12 as a dynamic ensemble of conformations whose relative population is in the end determined by the interacting ligand: while dexamethasone privileges only a few poses (determined by a potential energy surface with a deep minimum), RU486 favors a wider H12 conformational amplitude, as indicated by a flatter potential landscape. By characterizing the H12 conformation in different conditions, we provide novel GR LBD models that represent potential targets for rational glucocorticoid drugs design, with the aim of accurately modulating GR activity.Fil: Alves, Norma Roxana Carina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Biológica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Pecci, Adali. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Biológica; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez, Lautaro Damian. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Biológica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Unidad de Microanálisis y Métodos Físicos en Química Orgánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Unidad de Microanálisis y Métodos Físicos en Química Orgánica; Argentin

IMAGINÁRIO, CULTURA E EDUCAÇÃO

O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar algumas considerações sobre a Antropologia das Organizações e da Educação, área de estudo que busca dirigir à escola um “novo olhar”, que privilegie sua dimensão cultural, na qual se realizam as práticas simbólicas organizadoras do real e se expressam o simbólico e o imaginário. Esta abordagem pretende analisar a cultura das organizações educativas, na medida em que estas são mediadoras da reprodução da cultura e do social, contribuindo, portanto, para constituição do universo social dominante. Como propósito de ilustração, apresentaremos a Culturanálise de Grupos, heurística privilegiada deste tipo de abordagem

A nearly optimal Galerkin projected residual finite element method for Helmholtz problem

A Finite Element Formulation for scalar and linear second-order boundary value problems is introduced. The new method relies on a variational formulation obtained following the usual path of appending to the Galerkin variational formulation, a balanced residual form of the governing partial differential equation computed within each element. The novelty consists of projecting the residual in a subspace defined for each element, which gives rise to the name of the method: Galerkin Projected Residual (GPR). This subspace is built by systematically exploring some a priori criteria (either based on the physics or on the underlying mathematics). The method can be used to stabilize a variety of problems. Here it is applied to Helmholtz equation, where standard Galerkin formulations are known to present poor approximations for high wave numbers. The method is formally introduced along with some numerical examples that are used to assess the improvements achieved.Indisponível

Galerkin projected residual method applied to diffusion–reaction problems

A stabilized finite element method is presented for scalar and linear second-order boundary value problems. The method is obtained by adding to the Galerkin formulation multiple projections of the residual of the differential equation at element level. These multiple projections allow the generation of appropriate number of free stabilization parameters in the element matrix depending on the local space of approximation and on the differential operator. The free parameters can be determined imposing some convergence and/or stability criteria or by postulating the element matrix with the desired stability properties. The element matrix of most stabilized methods (such as, GLS and GGLS methods) can be obtained using this new method with appropriate choices of the stabilization parameters. We applied this formulation to diffusion–reaction problems. Optimal rates of convergency are numerically observed for regular solutions.Indisponível

Medicina legal, criminologia e punição: aspectos da trajetória intelectual e profissional de Flamínio Fávero (1895-1982)

O artigo discute aspectos da trajetória intelectual e profissional do médico Flamínio Fávero (1895-1982). Formado pela Faculdade de Medicina de São Paulo, Fávero teve importante atuação no campo da Medicina Legal e das discussões criminológicas no período, bem como atuou no sistema penitenciário do estado. O estudo dessa e de outras trajetórias abre possibilidade de compreensão do papel das elites e de suas representações no que diz respeito ao controle do crime e às práticas e instituições de punição na história da sociedade brasileira.The article discusses some aspects of intellectual and professional trajectory of Flamínio Fávero (1895-1982). Fávero studied at the Faculty of Medicine of São Paulo, Brazil and he played an important role in the field of forensic medicine and criminology at time, as well he served on the state prison system. This kind of research opens others possibilities for understanding the role of elites and their representations about the crime control and the practices and institutions of punishment in history of Brazilian society

Chemical and bioactive characterization of spanish and belgian apple pomace for its potential use as a novel dermocosmetic formulation

Currently, there is a general trend towards reutilizing industrial by-products that would otherwise be discarded or considered as waste, aiming to explore them as alternative sources of valuable compounds. The apple pomace remaining from cider and apple juice industries represents a high-potential source of bioactive compounds with putative application in food or pharmaceuticalrelated products. Accordingly, the work reported herein was conducted to characterize the phenolic compounds in apple pomace from Belgium and Spain, as well as to evaluate its chemical composition and particular types of bioactivity. As a proof of concept, a new hydrogel was prepared, incorporated with the bioactive compounds and pectin extracted from apple pomace, aiming to obtain the most organic formulation possible. Independently of the extracting agent, it became evident that using lyophilization as the drying step is a better choice than thermal processes as it yielded a richer phenolic profile (fifteen individual compounds), with 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid as the major compound (66 to 114 mg/100 g dw) in Belgian samples. In general, the hydroethanolic extracts showed the strongest antioxidant and antimicrobial (particularly against Propionibacterium acnes: MIC = 2.5 mg/mL) activities. This result, together with the lipid nature of human skin, led it to be chosen as the extract type to be incorporated in the hydrogel. In general, apple pomace stood out as a valuable source of bioactive compounds, especially polyphenols and pectin, with good potential to be incorporated in dermal formulations.This research was funded by Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) through national funds to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020), the institutional scientific employment program contract for L. Barros and M.I. Dias and through the individual scientific employment program contract for J. Barreira. Research was also funded by the FEDER Interreg España–Portugal program through the project TRANSCoLAB 0612_TRANS_CO_LAB_2_P and by the ERDF through the Regional Operational Program North 2020, within the scope of project Mobilizador Norte-01-0247- FEDER-024479: ValorNatural® and Project GreenHealth-Norte-01-0145-FEDER-000042.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Orientações sobre o comportamento sexual e reprodutivo: princípios e práticas dos sacerdotes católicos

Considering and respecting religious beliefs and values is vital for delivering integral health care. This study describes the religious principles and guidance provided by Catholic priests on sexuality and reproduction. The oral history method was used. Interviews were carried out between August 2007 and May 2008 and were analyzed in an inductive and interpretive manner to acquire a deep focus on the theme. Thirteen Catholic priests from the city of São Paulo, SP, Brazil were interviewed. Counseling provided by the priests has a traditional and conservative character and is based on principles of Catholic doctrine. Health education and promotion activities involving aspects related to sexuality and reproduction should be relevant and permeated with ethical considerations from the perspective of health care services users, including religious perspectives.La consideración y el respeto por las creencias y valores religiosos son vitales para la integralidad de la asistencia a la salud. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir los principios religiosos y las orientaciones en el ámbito de la sexualidad y reproducción ofrecidas por los sacerdotes católicos. El método de la historia oral fue desarrollado, las entrevistas ocurrieron entre agosto de 2007 y mayo de 2008, fueron analizadas de forma inductiva e interpretativa con un enfoque profundo en el tema. Los entrevistados fueron 13 sacerdotes de la Iglesia Católica de la Ciudad de Sao Paulo. Las orientaciones ofrecidas por los sacerdotes presentan carácter tradicional y conservador y son basadas en principios de la doctrina Católica. Las actividades de educación y promoción de la salud envolviendo aspectos relacionados a la sexualidad y reproducción deben estar impregnadas por la ética, siendo significativas, según la perspectiva de los usuarios de los servicios de salud.A consideração e o respeito às crenças e valores religiosos são vitais para a integralidade da assistência à saúde. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever os princípios religiosos e as orientações no âmbito da sexualidade e reprodução, fornecidos pelos sacerdotes católicos. O método da história oral foi desenvolvido, e as entrevistas ocorreram entre agosto de 2007 e maio de 2008, analisadas de forma indutiva e interpretativa para o enfoque profundo no tema. Os entrevistados foram 13 sacerdotes da Igreja Católica da cidade de São Paulo. As orientações fornecidas pelos sacerdotes apresentaram caráter tradicional e conservador, pautadas em princípios da Doutrina Católica. As atividades de educação e promoção da saúde, envolvendo aspectos relacionados à sexualidade e reprodução, devem estar permeadas pela ética, sendo significativas, segundo a perspectiva dos usuários dos serviços de saúde

A Facile and Reproducible Synthesis of Near-Infrared Fluorescent Conjugates with Small Targeting Molecules for Microbial Infection Imaging

Optical imaging of microbial infections, based on the detection of targeted fluorescent probes, offers high sensitivity and resolution with a relatively simple and portable setup. As the absorbance of near-infrared (NIR) light by human tissues is minimal, using respective tracers, such as IRdye800CW, enables imaging deeper target sites in the body. Herein, we present a general strategy for the conjugation of IRdye800CW and IRdye700DX to small molecules (vancomycin and amphotericin B) to provide conjugates targeted toward bacterial and fungal infections for optical imaging and photodynamic therapy. In particular, we present how the use of coupling agents (such as HBTU or HATU) leads to high yields (over 50%) in the reactions of amines and IRDye-NHS esters and how precipitation can be used as a convenient purification strategy to remove excess of the targeting molecule after the reaction. The high selectivity of the synthesized model compound Vanco-800CW has been proven in vitro, and the development of analogous agents opens up new possibilities for diagnostic and theranostic purposes. In times of increasing microbial resistance, this research gives us access to a platform of new fluorescent tracers for the imaging of infections, enabling early diagnosis and respective treatment