Determination of levetiracetam in human plasma by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Levetiracetam (LEV) is an antiepileptic drug that is clinically effective in generalized and partial epilepsy syndromes. The use of this drug has been increasing in clinical practice and intra- or -interindividual variability has been exhibited for special population. For this reason, bioanalytical methods are required for drug monitoring in biological matrices. So this work presents a dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (DLLME-GC-MS) for LEV quantification in human plasma. However, due to the matrix complexity a previous purification step is required. Unlike other pretreatment techniques presented in the literature, for the first time, a procedure employing ultrafiltration tubes Amicon (R) (10 kDa porous size) without organic solvent consumption was developed. GC-MS analyses were carried out using a linear temperature program, capillary fused silica column, and helium as the carrier gas. DLLME optimized parameters were type and volume of extraction and dispersing solvents, salt addition, and vortex agitation time. Under chosen parameters (extraction solvent: chloroform, 130 mu Ldispersing solvent: isopropyl alcohol, 400 mu Lno salt addition and no vortex agitation time), the method was completely validated and all parameters were in agreement with the literature recommendations. LEV was quantified in patient's plasma sample using less than 550 mu L of organic solvent.Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) [2012/07210-8]Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq)Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES)Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, SP, BrazilDepartment of Exact and Earth Sciences, Institute of Environmental, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, 09972-270 Diadema, SP, BrazilDepartament of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, 14040-901 Ribeirão Preto, SP, BrazilDepartment of Clinical Analysis, Toxicology and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, SP, BrazilDepartment of Exact and Earth Sciences, Institute of Environmental, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, 09972-270 Diadema, SP, BrazilFAPESP: 2012/07210-8Web of Scienc

Espaço de cuidados de enfermagem à saúde do homem e ao câncer de próstata: relato de uma atividade extensionista

The aim of this study is to report the experience from the experience of a fellow, about the development of extensionist actions linked to an extension project with the theme of prevention of prostate cancer and attention to men's health. An experience report is set up based on the observations and experience of the scholarship holder. Interviews were conducted with visitors to the Urology ward of a university hospital to assess their knowledge on the subject of prostate cancer; lectures aimed at clarifying all visitors and users who attend an outpatient unit; and tracking children and siblings of clients diagnosed with prostate cancer. A profile was also created on the social network Instagram, with the aim of disseminating information regarding prostate cancer and other pathologies targeted at the male population. The extensionist project has achieved its health education objectives for improvements in men's health, either by carrying out health promotion and prostate cancer prevention at the university hospital, or by using the social network Instagram to publish content based on scientific references.O objetivo deste estudo é relatar a experiência a partir da vivência de uma bolsista, acerca do desenvolvimento das ações extensionistas vinculadas a um projeto de extensão com a temática de prevenção ao câncer de próstata e atenção à saúde do homem. Configura-se um relato de experiência pautado nas observações e vivência da bolsista. São realizadas entrevistas com visitantes da enfermaria de Urologia de um hospital universitário para avaliar o conhecimento dos mesmos sobre o tema câncer de próstata; palestras visando o esclarecimento de todos os visitantes e dos usuários que comparecem a uma unidade ambulatorial; e rastreamento de filhos e irmãos de clientes com diagnóstico de câncer de próstata. Foi criado também um perfil na rede social Instagram, com o objetivo de disseminar informações relativas ao câncer de próstata e outras patologias direcionadas a população masculina. O projeto extensionista tem atingido seus objetivos de educação em saúde para melhorias na saúde masculina, seja pela realização de promoção à saúde e prevenção do câncer de próstata no hospital universitário, seja pelo uso da rede social Instagram para publicações de conteúdos embasados em referências científicas

Espaço de cuidados de enfermagem à saúde do homem e ao câncer de próstata: relato de uma atividade extensionista

The aim of this study is to report the experience from the experience of a fellow, about the development of extensionist actions linked to an extension project with the theme of prevention of prostate cancer and attention to men's health. An experience report is set up based on the observations and experience of the scholarship holder. Interviews were conducted with visitors to the Urology ward of a university hospital to assess their knowledge on the subject of prostate cancer; lectures aimed at clarifying all visitors and users who attend an outpatient unit; and tracking children and siblings of clients diagnosed with prostate cancer. A profile was also created on the social network Instagram, with the aim of disseminating information regarding prostate cancer and other pathologies targeted at the male population. The extensionist project has achieved its health education objectives for improvements in men's health, either by carrying out health promotion and prostate cancer prevention at the university hospital, or by using the social network Instagram to publish content based on scientific references.O objetivo deste estudo é relatar a experiência a partir da vivência de uma bolsista, acerca do desenvolvimento das ações extensionistas vinculadas a um projeto de extensão com a temática de prevenção ao câncer de próstata e atenção à saúde do homem. Configura-se um relato de experiência pautado nas observações e vivência da bolsista. São realizadas entrevistas com visitantes da enfermaria de Urologia de um hospital universitário para avaliar o conhecimento dos mesmos sobre o tema câncer de próstata; palestras visando o esclarecimento de todos os visitantes e dos usuários que comparecem a uma unidade ambulatorial; e rastreamento de filhos e irmãos de clientes com diagnóstico de câncer de próstata. Foi criado também um perfil na rede social Instagram, com o objetivo de disseminar informações relativas ao câncer de próstata e outras patologias direcionadas a população masculina. O projeto extensionista tem atingido seus objetivos de educação em saúde para melhorias na saúde masculina, seja pela realização de promoção à saúde e prevenção do câncer de próstata no hospital universitário, seja pelo uso da rede social Instagram para publicações de conteúdos embasados em referências científicas

Peel bond strength of resilient liner modified by the addition of antimicrobial agents to denture base acrylic resin

In order to prolong the clinical longevity of resilient denture relining materials and reduce plaque accumulation, incorporation of antimicrobial agents into these materials has been proposed. However, this addition may affect their properties. Objective: This study evaluated the effect of the addition of antimicrobial agents into one soft liner (Soft Confort, Dencril) on its peel bond strength to one denture base (QC 20, Dentsply). Material and Methods: Acrylic specimens (n=9) were made (75x10x3 mm) and stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 48 h. The drug powder concentrations (nystatin 500,000U - G2; nystatin 1,000,000U - G3; miconazole 125 mg - G4; miconazole 250 mg - G5; ketoconazole 100 mg - G6; ketoconazole 200 mg - G7; chlorhexidine diacetate 5% - G8; and 10% chlorhexidine diacetate - G9) were blended with the soft liner powder before the addition of the soft liner liquid. A group (G1) without any drug incorporation was used as control. Specimens (n=9) (75x10x6 mm) were plasticized according to the manufacturers' instructions and stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24 h. Relined specimens were then submitted to a 180-degree peel test at a crosshead speed of 10 mm/min. Data (MPa) were analyzed by analysis of variance (alpha=0.05) and the failure modes were visually classified. Results: No significant difference was found among experimental groups (p=0.148). Cohesive failure located within the resilient material was predominantly observed in all tested groups. Conclusions: Peel bond strength between the denture base and the modified soft liner was not affected by the addition of antimicrobial agents

INTERNAÇÕES HOSPITALARES E MORTALIDADE POR SÍNDROME RESPIRATÓRIA AGUDA GRAVE: COMPARAÇÃO ENTRE OS PERÍODOS PRÉ-PANDÊMICO E PANDÊMICO

Objective: To analyze the characteristics and the factors associated with mortality of cases hospitalized for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in a health region, in pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. Methods: A retrospective documentary study of epidemiological surveillance carried out with secondary data from the Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Information System, regarding the cases of patients belonging to a health region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Results: During the pandemic period, there was an increase in the number of hospitalizations and deaths due to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, in addition to diferences between socioemographic and clinical-epidemiological characteristics. In both periods, the age and the use of invasive ventilatory support were the predictors of hospital mortality. The mortality in the pandemic period was also associated with male gender, presence of risk factors, admission to an intensive care unit, use of non-invasive ventilatory support and infection by COVID-19. Conclusions: In 2020, the detection rate of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome was 21 times higher than in 2019 and new symptoms, such as anosmia and ageusia, were included in their investigation. In both periods evaluated, elderly patients and patients on invasive mechanical ventilation had a higher risk of mortality. With the pandemic, there was a greater number of hospitalizations and factors associated with mortality.Objetivo: Analisar as características e os fatores associados à mortalidade dos casos hospitalizados por Síndrome Respiratória Aguda Grave em uma regional de saúde, nos períodos pré-pandêmico e pandêmico. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo documental de vigilância epidemiológica realizado com dados secundários provenientes do Sistema de Informação de Vigilância Epidemiológica da Gripe, referentes aos casos de pacientes pertencentes a uma regional de saúde de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Resultados: Observou-se, no período pandêmico, aumento do número de hospitalizações e óbitos por Síndrome Respiratória Aguda Grave, além de diferenças entre as características sociodemográficas e clínico-epidemiológicas. Em ambos os períodos, comportaram-se como preditores da mortalidade hospitalar, a idade e o uso de suporte ventilatório invasivo. A mortalidade no período pandêmico se associou também ao sexo masculino, presença de fatores de risco, internação em unidade de terapia intensiva, uso de suporte ventilatório não invasivo e infecção por COVID-19. Conclusões: Em 2020, a taxa detecção de Síndrome Respiratória Aguda Grave foi 21 vezes maior do que em 2019 e novos sintomas, como a anosmia e ageusia, foram incluídos em sua investigação. Nos dois períodos avaliados, pacientes idosos e em ventilação mecânica invasiva apresentaram maior risco de mortalidade. Com a pandemia, houve maior número de hospitalizações e fatores associados à mortalidade

Waterborne aripiprazole blunts the stress response in zebrafish

Here we provide, at least to our knowledge, the first evidence that aripiprazole (APPZ) in the water blunts the stress response of exposed fish in a concentration ten times lower than the concentration detected in the environment. Although the mechanism of APPZ in the neuroendocrine axis is not yet determined, our results highlight that the presence of APPZ residues in the environment may interfere with the stress responses in fish. Since an adequate stress response is crucial to restore fish homeostasis after stressors, fish with impaired stress response may have trouble to cope with natural and/or imposed stressors with consequences to their welfare and survival

Alterações cognitivas na infecção pelo HIV: uma revisão sistemática: Cognitive changes in HIV infection: a systematic review

Provocada pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana, com a síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida, numa pessoa tem o seu sistema imunológico prejudicado, tornando-se suscetível a outras doenças e infecção. Tem-se a estimativa de que 50% dos infectados com o referido vírus podem sofrer alterações cognitivas. Diante disso, este estudo tem como objetivo refletir sobre mudanças estruturais cerebrais e comprometimento cognitivo em pacientes com HIV. Portanto, trata-se de uma revisão sistemática de literatura, desenvolvida a partir da seleção de estudos nas bases de dados Scielo, Pubmed e BVS/Medline a partir do uso de descritores DeCS/MeSH e aplicação de critérios de inclusão e exclusão. Após a análise e interpretação dos dados, concluiu-se que há uma significativa prevalência de HAND em adultos infectados por HIV, no que se refere a alterações cognitivas, especialmente entre pacientes do sexo feminino, de baixa escolaridade e renda, com diagnóstico tardio e baixa quantidade de linfócitos CD4 no início do tratamento. Entre essas pessoas, revelam-se comprometimentos quanto à memória, atenção, controle de impulsos, velocidade de processamento e motora, dentre outros

ATLANTIC EPIPHYTES: a data set of vascular and non-vascular epiphyte plants and lichens from the Atlantic Forest

Epiphytes are hyper-diverse and one of the frequently undervalued life forms in plant surveys and biodiversity inventories. Epiphytes of the Atlantic Forest, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world, have high endemism and radiated recently in the Pliocene. We aimed to (1) compile an extensive Atlantic Forest data set on vascular, non-vascular plants (including hemiepiphytes), and lichen epiphyte species occurrence and abundance; (2) describe the epiphyte distribution in the Atlantic Forest, in order to indicate future sampling efforts. Our work presents the first epiphyte data set with information on abundance and occurrence of epiphyte phorophyte species. All data compiled here come from three main sources provided by the authors: published sources (comprising peer-reviewed articles, books, and theses), unpublished data, and herbarium data. We compiled a data set composed of 2,095 species, from 89,270 holo/hemiepiphyte records, in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, recorded from 1824 to early 2018. Most of the records were from qualitative data (occurrence only, 88%), well distributed throughout the Atlantic Forest. For quantitative records, the most common sampling method was individual trees (71%), followed by plot sampling (19%), and transect sampling (10%). Angiosperms (81%) were the most frequently registered group, and Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae were the families with the greatest number of records (27,272 and 21,945, respectively). Ferns and Lycophytes presented fewer records than Angiosperms, and Polypodiaceae were the most recorded family, and more concentrated in the Southern and Southeastern regions. Data on non-vascular plants and lichens were scarce, with a few disjunct records concentrated in the Northeastern region of the Atlantic Forest. For all non-vascular plant records, Lejeuneaceae, a family of liverworts, was the most recorded family. We hope that our effort to organize scattered epiphyte data help advance the knowledge of epiphyte ecology, as well as our understanding of macroecological and biogeographical patterns in the Atlantic Forest. No copyright restrictions are associated with the data set. Please cite this Ecology Data Paper if the data are used in publication and teaching events. © 2019 The Authors. Ecology © 2019 The Ecological Society of Americ