Quo vadis high-resolution continuum source atomic/molecular absorption spectrometry?

After more than a decade since its commercial introduction, high-resolution continuum source atomic/molecular absorption spectrometry may be facing a mid-life crisis. Certainly, it is no longer a novel technique full of unknown potential, so it would already be time to establish the fields for which it is most suitable. This is, however, not so simple for a number of reasons. In the first place, more than a technique what we are discussing herein is a type of instrumentation with the potential to use two different techniques (atomic or molecular absorption), making it somewhat unique. Furthermore, the two techniques have not been explored equally, and more research on the mechanisms of formation of diatomic molecules is clearly needed. In the second place, new possibilities have recently appeared in the literature that need to be weighed as well. And there is the still unfulfilled, but nowadays more technically feasible than ever, promise to significantly increase the multi-elemental capabilities. This review critically examines the main research areas currently explored (namely, (i) direct analysis of solids and complex liquid materials, and (ii) determination of non-metals at trace levels via monitoring of molecular species) as well as the new venues (specifically, (i) isotopic analysis via monitoring of molecular species, and (ii) selective detection, quantification and sizing of nanoparticles) while also considering new instrumental developments, in an attempt to properly place high-resolution continuum source atomic/molecular absorption spectrometry in the field of trace element and isotopic analysis

Dried matrix spots and clinical elemental analysis. Current status, difficulties, and opportunities

This article examines the increasing importance of dried matrix spots (DMS), such as dried blood spots, dried urine spots, etc., in biomedical research, the challenges associated with their analysis when quantitative elemental information is aimed at, as well as the benefits deriving from the further usage of these types of samples. The article briefly reviews the historical evolution of this sampling approach in elemental clinical analysis, stressing prospective areas of applications (e.g., newborns or prosthesis control), the methodologies most recently developed to produce DMS of known volume, as well as novel strategies proposed to analyze them, often related to direct solid sampling techniques or fast lixiviation methods. Finally, the article discusses the type of information that could be obtained after isotopic analysis of DMS when targeting non-traditional stable isotopes (e.g., Cu, Fe or Zn), which can significantly help in the early diagnosis of some medical conditions (e.g. Wilson's disease)

Serum sample containing endogenous antibodies interfering with multiple hormone immunoassays. Laboratory strategies to detect interference

Objectives: Endogenous antibodies (EA) may interfere with immunoassays, causing erroneous results for hormone analyses. As (in most cases) this interference arises from the assay format and most immunoassays, even from different manufacturers, are constructed in a similar way, it is possible for a single type of EA to interfere with different immunoassays. Here we describe the case of a patient whose serum sample contains EA that interfere several hormones tests. We also discuss the strategies deployed to detect interference. Subjects and methods: Over a period of four years, a 30-year-old man was subjected to a plethora of laboratory and imaging diagnostic procedures as a consequence of elevated hormone results, mainly of pituitary origin, which did not correlate with the overall clinical picture. Results: Once analytical interference was suspected, the best laboratory approaches to investigate it were sample reanalysis on an alternative platform and sample incubation with antibody blocking tubes. Construction of an in-house ''nonsense'' sandwich assay was also a valuable strategy to confirm interference. In contrast, serial sample dilutions were of no value in our case, while polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation gave inconclusive results, probably due to the use of inappropriate PEG concentrations for several of the tests assayed. Conclusions: Clinicians and laboratorians must be aware of the drawbacks of immunometric assays, and alert to the possibility of EA interference when results do not fit the clinical pattern

Characterization of SiO2 Nanoparticles by Single Particle - Inductively Coupled Plasma – Tandem Mass Spectroscopy

This work uses the tandem ICP-MS (ICPMS/MS) for obtaining interference-freeconditions to characterize SiO2 nanoparticles ranging between 80 and 400nm. These NPs have been detected and accurately characterized. For SiO2 NPs >100 nm, it was possible to provide accurateresults in a straightforward way, as theirsignal distributions are well resolved fromthat of the background

A novel approach for adapting the standard addition method to single particle-ICP-MS for the accurate determination of NP size and number concentration in complex matrices; 35414390

This paper presents a novel approach, based on the standard addition method, for overcoming the matrix effects that often hamper the accurate characterization of nanoparticles (NPs) in complex samples via single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS). In this approach, calibration of the particle size is performed by two different methods: (i) by spiking a suspension of NPs standards of known size containing the analyte, or (ii) by spiking the sample with ionic standards; either way, the measured sensitivity is used in combination with the transport efficiency (TE) for sizing the NPs. Moreover, such transport efficiency can be readily obtained from the data obtained via both calibration methods mentioned above, so that the particle number concentration can also be determined. The addition of both ionic and NP standards can be performed on-line, by using a T-piece with two inlet lines of different dimensions. The smaller of the two is used for the standards, thus ensuring a constant and minimal sample dilution. As a result of the spiking of the samples, mixed histograms including the signal of the sample and that of the standards are obtained. However, the use of signal deconvolution approaches permits to extract the information, even in cases of signal populations overlapping. For proofing the concept, characterization of a 50 nm AuNPs suspension prepared in three different media (i.e., deionized water, 5% ethanol, and 2.5% tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide-TMAH) was carried out. Accurate results were obtained in all cases, in spite of the matrix effects detected in some media. Overall, the approach proposed offers flexibility, so it can be adapted to different situations, but it might be specially indicated for samples for which the matrix is not fully known and/or dilution is not possible/recommended. © 2022 The Author

Characterization of SiO2 nanoparticles by single particle-inductively coupled plasma-tandem mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS/MS)

The increase in the use of SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) is raising concern about their environmental and health effects, thus necessitating the development of novel methods for their straightforward detection and characterization. Single particle ICP-mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS) is able to provide information on the size of NPs, their particle number density and mass concentration. However, the determination of Si via ICP-MS is strongly hampered by the occurrence of spectral overlap from polyatomic species (e.g., CO+ and N2+). The use of tandem ICP-MS (ICP-MS/MS) enables interference-free conditions to be obtained, even in the most demanding applications. Upon testing several gases, the use of CH3F (monitoring of SiF+, mass-shift approach) and of H2 (monitoring of Si+, on-mass approach) were demonstrated to be the most suitable to overcome the spectral interference affecting ultra-trace Si determination (LoD < 15 ng L-1). By using these approaches, SiO2 NPs (ranging between 80 and 400 nm) can be detected and characterized. For SiO2 NPs > 100 nm, it was possible to provide accurate results in a straightforward way, as the signals they give rise to are well resolved from those of the background. In the case of 80 and 100 nm NPs, the use of a simple deconvolution approach following a Gaussian model was needed to characterize SiO2 NPs apparently showing incomplete distributions as a result of the presence of the background signal. Overall, the methods developed using SP-ICP-MS/MS are sensitive and selective enough for the interference-free determination of Si at ultra-trace levels, also in the form of SiO2 NPs

Intervenciones no farmacológicas para reducir efectos adversos de los quimioterápicos en niños: una revisión de la literatura.

Introducción: El cáncer afecta a 400.000 niños en el mundo cada año y tiene diferente patrón de aparición, etiología y efectos secundarios respecto a los adultos. A pesar de la continua investigación de los tratamientos oncológicos pediátricos, la quimioterapia sigue siendo el más frecuente. Causa efectos adversos que los niños, padres y profesionales tratan de aliviar. Además, buscan estrategias que puedan combinar con los tratamientos convencionales para la reducción de estas consecuencias indeseables. Objetivos: Conocer qué intervenciones no farmacológicas se pueden emplear para reducir los efectos adversos que causan los quimioterápicos en la población pediátrica. Metodología: Se llevó a cabo una revisión bibliográfica en Cinahl y Pubmed entre octubre y diciembre de 2022. Resultados: Se identificaron 12 artículos que describen que las intervenciones no farmacológicas para la reducción de efectos adversos de quimioterápicos en niños son intervenciones con miel y propóleo, acupuntura, aromaterapia, educación para la salud y de ejercicio físico. Conclusiones: La presente revisión ha recopilado la evidencia respecto al tratamiento no farmacológico de efectos adversos de quimioterápicos en niños, sin embargo, al no haber información de alguno de ellos se debe continuar investigando.Introduction: Cancer affects 400,000 children worldwide each year and has different patterns of onset, aetiology and side effects compared to adults. Despite ongoing research into paediatric cancer treatments, chemotherapy remains the most common. It causes adverse effects that children, parents and professionals try to alleviate. In addition, they seek strategies that can be combined with conventional treatments to reduce these undesirable consequences. Objectives: To find out what non-pharmacological interventions can be used to reduce the adverse effects caused by chemotherapy in the paediatric population.Methodology: A literature review was carried out in Pubmed and Cinahl between October and December 2022. Results: 12 articles were identified describing that non-pharmacological interventions for the reduction of adverse effects of chemotherapy in children are interventions with honey and propolis, acupuncture, aromatherapy, health education and physical exercise. Conclusions: The present review has compiled the evidence regarding non-pharmacological treatment of adverse effects of chemotherapy in children, however, in the absence of information on any of these, further research is needed

Trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad (TDAH). Pautas para el profesorado.

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo profundizar en el trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad (TDAH). Este trastorno se caracteriza por tener una alta prevalencia en la edad escolar y se manifiesta en dos categorías principales: inatención e hiperactividad-impulsividad. Partiendo de una revisión teórica sobre los principales elementos que lo definen, se analizan los impactos educativos que conlleva y las estrategias docentes a tener en cuenta para su mejora. En el capítulo I, se expone una aproximación al trastorno teniendo en cuenta los dos sistemas internacionales de clasificación más utilizados en la actualidad, el CIE-10 y el DSM-V. Se aborda su prevalencia, la comorbilidad con otros trastornos y el tipo de intervención que guía su tratamiento. En un segundo capítulo, se estudia el impacto en el rendimiento académico, en las relaciones sociales y en el autoconcepto de los alumnos con TDAH. Para terminar, se proponen algunas de las técnicas o estrategias cognitivo-conductuales que el profesorado puede utilizar para paliar los efectos negativos del trastorno. El tratamiento multimodal, que incluye de manera simultánea intervención psicoeducativa y farmacológica se presenta como el de mayor efectividad. En esta línea, se facilitan pautas para que el profesorado pueda trabajar desde el aula con el fin de dar respuesta a las necesidades educativas que manifiestan los alumnos con TDAH

The impact of secondary cytoreductive surgery on survival in first recurrence of platinum sensitive epithelial ovarian cancer

Objective: Analyze the effect on survival of secondary cytoreduction surgery (SCS) in treatment of first recurrence platinumsensitive epithelial ovarian cancer (REOC). Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients with first REOC who had platinum timefree interval (TFIp) > 6 months and were treated either with SCS followed by chemotherapy or chemotherapy only (CT). Clinical data such as patient’s performance status and number of sites with metastases were specifically assessed. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Results: Seventyone patients were treated either by SCS (n = 37) or CT (n = 34). Complete resection after SCS was achieved in 89% of patients. After a median followup of 51.2 months, median OS, and progressionfree survival (PFS) were 68.2 and 21.6 months, respectively, for the whole series of the SCS patients had better survival and disease progression survival than the CT only patients (HR: 0.33, 95%CI: 0.170.6; p= 0.001) and (HR: 0.28, 95%CI: 0.150.5; p= 0.001), respectively. TFIp < 12 months and multiple metastases were most important prognostic factors for risk of death (HR: 7.7 and 6.2, respectively) and recurrence (HR: 5.8 and 3.8, respectively). Probability to undergo successful SCS is related to oligometastatic disease and no residual disease after first surgery (OR: 30.0 and 5.9, respectively). Conclusions: In women with REOC oligometastatic disease and no residual disease at first surgery are associated with successful SCS. In these patients oligometastatic disease and long platinum TFI are associated with improved probability of survival