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Objetivos ­ Identificar os agrotóxicos utilizados pelos agricultores familiares do povoado Passagem do Sargento, Juazeiro-BA e verificar os riscos à saúde do agricultor relacionados com o método de uso e a exposição a esses produtos. Métodos ­ Foram entrevistados quatro agricultores familiares e por meio de pesquisas na literatura, bulas dos agrotóxicos e consultas às fichas de informações de segurança de produtos químicos, foram identificados os possíveis efeitos dos agrotóxicos sobre a saúde e se os produtos químicos estão sendo utilizados de acordo com a praga e cultura às quais se destinam. Resultados ­ Verificou-se que os agricultores não seguem as indicações dos fabricantes contidas nos rótulos, seja em relação a frequência de seu uso, seja em relação à indicação da planta alvo. Além disso, um terço dos agrotóxicos utilizados por eles são classificados como extremamente tóxicos para a saúde humana, o que evidencia o potencial de danos de grande magnitude para os trabalhadores que os manuseiam, sobretudo por não seguirem as indicações contidas nas bulas. Conclusão ­ Diante dos riscos identificados, é necessária a atuação do poder público no fornecimento de assistência técnica, no sentido de fornecer informações adequadas para os agricultores familiares, buscando proteger esses trabalhadores dos efeitos nocivos dos agrotóxicos e viabilizar o processo produtivo.

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Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurological disorder, is a major public health concern and the most common form of dementia. Its typical symptoms include memory loss, confusion, changes in personality, and cognitive impairment, which result in patients gradually losing independence. Over the last decades, some studies have focused on searching for effective biomarkers as early diagnostic indicators of AD. Amyloid-ß (Aß) peptides have been consolidated as reliable AD biomarkers and have been incorporated into modern diagnostic research criteria. However, quantitative analysis of Aß peptides in biological samples remains a challenge because both the sample and the physical-chemical properties of these peptides are complex. During clinical routine, Aß peptides are measured in the cerebrospinal fluid by immunoassays, but the availability of a specific antibody is critical-in some cases, an antibody may not exist, or its specificity may be inadequate, leading to low sensitivity and false results. HPLC-MS/MS has been reported as a sensitive and selective method for determining different fragments of Aß peptides in biological samples simultaneously. Developments in sample preparation techniques (preconcentration platforms) such as immunoprecipitation, 96-well plate SPME, online SPME, and fiber-in-tube SPME have enabled not only effective enrichment of Aß peptides present at trace levels in biological samples, but also efficient exclusion of interferents from the sample matrix (sample cleanup). This high extraction efficiency has provided MS platforms with higher sensitivity. Recently, methods affording LLOQ values as low as 5 pg mL-1 have been reported. Such low LLOQ values are adequate for quantifying Aß peptides in complex matrixes including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma samples. This review summarizes the advances in mass spectrometry (MS)-based methods for quantifying Aß peptides and covers the period 1992-2022. Important considerations regarding the development of the HPLC-MS/MS method such as the sample preparation step, optimization of the HPLC-MS/MS parameters, and matrix effects are described. Clinical applications, difficulties related to analysis of plasma samples, and future trends of these MS/MS-based methods are also discussed.

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Current research efforts at neurological diseases have focused on identifying novel biomarkers to aid in diagnosis, to provide accurate prognostic information, and to monitor disease progression. This study presents the direct coupling of fiber-in-tube solid-phase microextraction to tandem mass spectrometry as a reliable method to determine amyloid beta peptides (Aß38, Aß40, and Aß42) as biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. To obtain the biocompatible fiber-in-tube SPME capillary, a PEEK tube segment was longitudinally packed with fine fibers [nitinol wires coated with a zwitterionic polymeric ionic liquid], to act as selective extraction medium. The fiber-in-tube SPME-MS/MS method integrated analyte extraction/enrichment and sample cleanup (exclusion of interferents) into one step. The method provided lower limits of quantification (LLOQ: 0.2 ng mL-1 for Aß38 and 0.1 ng mL-1 for Aß40 and Aß42), high precision (CV lower than 11.6%), and high accuracy (relative standard deviation lower than 15.1%). This method was successfully applied to determine Aß peptides in CSF samples obtained from AD patients (n = 8) and controls (healthy volunteers, n = 10). Results showed that Aß42 levels in the CSF samples obtained from AD patients were significantly lower compared to healthy controls (p < 0.05). On the basis of the ROC analysis results, the Aß42/Aß40 ratio (AUC = 0.950, p < 0.01; 95%) performed significantly better than Aß42 alone (AUC = 0.913, p < 0.01; 95%) in discriminating between AD patients and healthy controls and presented better diagnostic ability for AD. The novelties of this study are not only related to evaluating Aß peptides as AD biomarkers, but also to demonstrating direct online coupling of fiber-in-tube SPME with MS/MS as a quantitative high-throughput method for bioanalysis.

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Abstract The present study aimed to describe a study protocol for Orienteers' anthropometric characteristics and physical activity level. This is an individualized, observation and cross-sectional pilot study, that has encompassed three Orienteers (2 Portuguese men and 1 Spanish woman) with mean age 22.6 ± 3.78 years and 8.0 ± 2.64 consecutive years of Orientation practice. In total, 26 anthropometric variables were assessed: four basic measurements, nine skinfolds, nine girths and four breadths; Body Mass Index was calculated, as well as body composition and somatotype (according to the Heath-Carter method). The International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form was used to obtain the score expressed as metabolic equivalent and the energy expenditure in kilocalories, both during the reference week. Mean somatotype recorded for Orienteering athletes could be defined as balanced mesomorph. Scores recorded for different physical activity/ inactivity expressed domains have shown high-energy expenditure. Sports Science Professionals can use the herein proposed protocol to improve Orienteers' training.

Resumo Objetivou-se descrever um protocolo de estudo das características antropométricas e do nível de atividade física de Orientistas. Trata-se de um estudo piloto, caracterizado como individualizado, observacional e transversal. Participaram do estudo três Orientistas (2 homens Portugueses e 1 mulher Espanhola) com 22,6 ± 3,78 anos de idade e 8,0 ± 2,64 anos de prática consecutiva de Orientação. Foram avaliadas 26 variáveis antropométricas: quatro medidas básicas, nove dobras cutâneas, nove circunferências e quatro diâmetros ósseos; Índice de Massa Corporal foi calculado, bem como a composição corporal e o somatotipo (de acordo com o método Heath-Carter). O Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física, versão curta e auto-administrado, foi utilizado para obter a pontuação expressa como equivalente metabólico e o dispêndio energético em quilocalorias, ambos durante a semana de referência. A média do somatotipo dos atletas de Orientação pode ser definida como mesomorfo balanceado. As pontuações dos diferentes domínios da atividade física/ inatividade expressas, demonstraram um elevado dispêndio energético. Profissionais das Ciências do Esporte podem usar o protocolo proposto para melhor controle do treinamento de Orientistas.

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A articulação temporomandibular está vunerável a várias condições de anormalidades já bastante conhecidas, dentre elas, o deslocamento do disco articular sem redução, considerado pela literatura o mais comum das patologias desta região. A deterioração do quadro pode ser um indicativo da necessidade cirúrgica. Em específico, no deslocamento de disco sem redução, o reposicionamento definitivo pode ser adquirido através de discopexia e artrocentese. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo relatar um caso clínico de deslocamento de disco articular bilateral sem redução, apresentando a importância da fisioterapia associada à abordagem cirúrgia na recuperação da função mandibular, bem como, reforçar a importância de uma abordagem conjunta entre análise clínica e imaginológica para resolução de casos. Paciente feminino cursando com diversos sintomas em face e pescoço de forma progressiva ao longo de dois anos foi submetida a cirurgia na articulação temporo-mandibular, onde foi feita a discopexia através de ancoragem dos discos articulares com parafusos. A avaliação física, assim como, a imaginológica, ajudaram na confirmação do diagnóstico. A abordagem cirurgica adotada no tratamento deste caso foi descrita na literatura desde o final do século XIX. Conclui-se que, o método utilizado no tratamento do deslocamento de disco sem redução deve ser baseado nos sinais e sintomas do paciente, cuja abordagem deve ser readequada de acordo com as mudanças do quadro apresentado. Nesta análise, a abordagem cirúrgica associada à fisioterapia específica para as estruturas musculoesquelética da face trouxeram resultados positivos(AU)

The temporomandibular joint is responsible for several well-known conditions of abnormalities, among them, the joint disc displacement without reduction, considered by the literature the most common pathology of this region. Deterioration of the condition may be indicative of surgical need. Specifically, in displacement disc without reduction, definitive repositioning can be achieved through discopexy and arthrocentesis. The aim of the present study is to report a case of unilateral articular disc displacement without reduction, as well the importance of physiotherapy associated with the surgical approach in the recovery of mandibular function, as well as reinforcing the importance of a joint approach between clinical and imaging analysis for case resolution. Female patient with several symptoms in the face and neck progressively over two years, underwent surgery in the temporomandibular joint, where discopexy was performed by anchoring the articular discs with screws. The physical assessment, as well as the imaging, helped to confirm the diagnosis. The surgical approach adopted in the treatment of this case has been described in the literature since the end of the 19th century. In conclusion, the method used to treat articular disc displacement without reduction should be based on the patient's signs and symptoms, whose approach should be readjusted according to the changes in the presented picture. In this analysis, the surgical approach associated with specific physiotherapy for the musculoskeletal structures of the face brought positive results(AU)

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Miniaturized liquid chromatography (LC) has been recognized as one of the most important analytical methods in several research fields. Reduced analytical work-scale provides superior chromatographic resolution and decreases sample and organic solvent consumption. However, frequent clogging of tubing connections and use of small sample volumes are significant limitations when high throughput and sensitive analyses are required. Effective sample preparation could help to overcome these limitations. Online coupling of sample preparation techniques (such as column switching and in-tube solid-phase microextraction) with these miniaturized systems may result in more sensitive and reproducible analyses, improving analytical efficiency. This review describes the most common online miniaturized LC configurations, and the main applications of current online sample preparation techniques coupled to miniaturized LC systems in the bioanalytical, omics, and environmental areas. Relevant features, and challenges of these systems, and innovative sorbents, including restricted access materials, monoliths, and immunosorbents is also discussed.

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Alzheimer disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by extracellular accumulation of amyloid-ß peptide (Aß) in the brain interstitium. Human serum albumin (HSA) highly binds to Aß in blood plasma and is thought to inhibit plaque formation in peripheral tissue. Thus, the evaluation of albumin binding to Aß is an important key to understand the dynamics of these molecules in the biological system of patients with AD. In this work, a fiber-in-tube solid-phase microextraction (fiber-in-tube SPME) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method was developed to estimate Aß fraction binding to HSA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma samples. Crosslinked zwitterionic polymeric ionic liquid (zwitterionic PIL)-coated nitinol wires were developed and packed into a polyether ether ketone (PEEK) capillary for a fiber-in-tube SPME and UHPLC-MS/MS method. Zwitterionic PIL sorbent was synthetized from 1-vinyl-3-(butanesulfonate)imidazolium ([VIm+C4SO3-]) and 1,12-di(3-vinylimidazolium)dodecane dibromide ([(VIm)2C12]2[Br]) monomers by in-situ thermally-initiated polymerization. Morphological characterization by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed a decrease in the surface roughness of the nitinol wires from ∼17 nm to 1 nm after the in-situ polymerization. The zwitterionic PIL sorbent selectively preconcentrates Aß through a two-pronged interaction mechanism. The fiber-in-tube SPME and UHPLC-MS/MS method presented lower limits of quantification (LLOQ) of 0.4 ng mL-1 for Aß38 and 0.3 ng mL-1 for Aß40 and Aß42, a linear range from LLOQ values to 15 ng mL-1 with coefficients of determination higher than 0.99, precision with coefficient of variation (CV) values ranging from 2.1 to 7.3% and accuracy with relative standard deviation (RSD) values from -0.3 to 7.4. This method was successfully applied to evaluate the binding of HSA to Aß in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma samples.

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Aims: The existing instruments for assessing heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) require contact area. This is difficult to obtain from specific groups of patients and from those moving. The aim of this study was to validate the use of the HRVCam software for measuring HR and HRV in healthy adults. Methods and results: The HR and HRV variables were evaluated in terms of time and frequency using a webcam and Polar® S810i. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to test the normality of the data, and the Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) was used to identify the possible correlation between the two instruments. The size of the effect was calculated based on a generalized linear model, and the Bland-Altman plots were used to analyse the agreement between the methods. The level of significance for all analyses was set at P < 0.05. We evaluated 102 participants, of whom 52% were men; 83.3% were aged between 18 and 29.9 years; and 84.3% were single. Conclusion: There was a good agreement and moderate to strong correlations among all analysed variables. The biases were low, except for the low frequency/high frequency measures. Moreover, the difference between the samples was small to moderate. The results of this study corroborate the use of HRVCam for measuring HR and HRV.

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Introdução: O cisto do ducto nasopalatino é uma lesão não odontogênica com etiologia controversa. No entanto, fatores irritantes, como trauma local e infecções bacterianas, podem estimular o remanescente epitelial do ducto nasopalatino, levando a uma formação cística. Sua predileção ocorre em homens adultos entre a quarta e a sexta décadas. Geralmente é assintomático, sendo detectado por exame de rotina. O objetivo do presente estudo é apresentar e discutir um caso de cisto do Ducto Nasopalatino, analisando-se os aspectos clínicos e imaginológicos da patologia em face, comparando-o com dados provenientes da literatura corrente. Relato de caso: Como resultado este artigo apresenta a abordagem de um caso cirúrgico de cisto do Ducto Nasopalatino em face, assintomático, descoberto em exame imaginológico de rotina, biopsiado e enucleado cirurgicamente, com acompanhamento de 5 anos sem recidiva. Considerações finais: É evidente, portanto, que a literatura ainda não é unânime quanto ao aspecto epidemiológico, contudo, se reafirma a forma de abordagem cirúrgica excisional como tratamento eficaz definitivo. Faz-se necessária, portanto, a análise clínica, imaginológica e histopatológica para a confirmação diagnóstica da lesão. A observação de tais aspectos é de fundamental importância para um tratamento eficaz e definitivo, reduzindo as chances de recidiva... (AU)

Introduction: The nasopalatine duct cyst is a non-odontogenic lesion with controversial etiology. However, irritating factors, such as local trauma and bacterial infections, can stimulate the epithelial remnant of the nasopalatine duct, leading to a cystic formation. Its predilection occurs in adult men between the fourth and sixth decades. It is usually asymptomatic, being detected by routine examination. Objectives: To present and discuss a case of cyst of the Nasopalatine duct, analyzing the clinical and imaging aspects of the pathology in the face, comparing it with data from the current literature. Case Report: As a result, this article presents the approach of a surgical case of Nasopalatine Ducto cyst in the face, asymptomatic, discovered in a routine imaging exam, biopsied and surgically enucleated, with a 5-year follow-up without recurrence. Final considerations: It is evident, therefore, that the literature is not yet unanimous in terms of the epidemiological aspect, however, the form of excisional surgical approach as a definitive effective treatment is reaffirmed. Therefore, clinical, imaging and histopathological analysis is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of the lesion. The observation of such aspects is of fundamental importance for an effective and definitive treatment, reducing the chances of recurrence... (AU)

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Fiber-in-tube solid-phase microextraction (fiber-in-tube SPME) with short capillary longitudinally packed with fine fibers as extraction device allows direct coupling to high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems to determine weakly volatile or thermally labile compounds. This technique associates the advantages of miniaturized and analytical on-line systems. Major achievements include the use of different capillaries (fused-silica, copper, stainless steel, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), or poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE)) that are packed with neat fibers (Zylon®, silk, or Kevlar 29®) or fibers (stainless steel, basalt, or carbon) functionalized with selective coatings (aerogels, ionic liquids (ILs), polymeric ionic liquids (PILs), molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), layered double hydroxides (LDHs), or conducting polymer). This review outlines the fundamental theory and the innovative extraction materials for fiber-in-tube SPME-HPLC systems and highlights their main applications in environmental and bioanalyses.