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Direct ambient ionization techniques have been developed with the aim to reduce the complexity of mass spectrometry analysis by minimizing sample preparation and chromatographic separation. In this context, paper spray-MS (PS-MS) is an innovative approach that provides faster and cheaper analysis of biofluids by the addition of the sample directly to a paper. In forensic toxicology, the analytical workflow for the detection and quantification of drugs of abuse is onerous, including sample treatment, extraction and clean up, especially regarding complex biological matrices. PS-MS allows the detection of analytes of toxicological interest in blood, plasma and urine using low sample volume. This review aims to discuss the potential use, advances and challenges of PS-MS in forensic toxicology.

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STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the equivalence of electronic and paper version of self-report questionnaires for the assessment of disability, pain, fear of movement, depression, and physical activity of patients with chronic low back pain (LBP). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Paper and electronic versions of self-report questionnaires are commonly used for assessment of patients with LBP. However, the equivalence of self-report questionnaires commonly used for assessment of patients with chronic LBP remains unclear. METHODS: Seventy-nine individuals with chronic LBP seeking physiotherapy care were recruited. Participants attended the clinic twice with an interval of 1 week and completed the self-reported questionnaires in a random order. The following questionnaires were administered: Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ); 11-point numerical rating scale (NRS); Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK); Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D), and Baecke Habitual Physical Activity Questionnaire (BPAQ). To investigate the equivalence between the two questionnaire versions, intraclass correlation coefficient with 95% confidence interval and Bland-Altman plotting was used. RESULTS: The paper and electronic versions of the RMDQ, TSK, and CES-D showed good reliability and the showed moderate reliability. In contrast, the NRS showed poor reliability between the electronic and paper versions. CONCLUSION: Our findings support that the electronic version of the RMDQ, TSK, CES-D, and BPAQ can be administered in clinical and research settings for assessment of patients with chronic LBP. Nevertheless, electronic version of the NRS for assessment of pain intensity should not be used interchangeably in clinical practice in patients with chronic LBP. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

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BACKGROUND: Non-cellulose dried matrix spotting (DMS) cards are an alternative to filter paper (FP) for bloodspots. We compared the interpatient distributions of bloodspot areas between DMS and FP for a fixed volume of application of whole blood, and examined correlations of areas with hematocrit. METHODS: EDTA-whole blood adult patient samples (n=49; 25 males, 24 females) were utilized after routine measurement of hemoglobin and hematocrit. Replicate (4×) bloodspots were produced by bolus drop application of 50µL whole blood via a fixed-volume pipettor to either FP or DMS. Dried bloodspot areas were determined by image analysis. RESULTS: Hematocrits (HCT) were normally distributed (HCT=30.9±5.3%). For both FP and DMS, bloodspot areas (a, cm(2)) across patients were normally distributed: for FP, a=1.11±0.056cm(2) (±5.0%); for DMS, a=0.378±0.037cm(2) (±9.9%). Relative bloodspot area differences across the population range were >20% for both DMS and FP. Correlation of bloodspot areas to hematocrit was negative for FP (r=-0.80) but positive for DMS (r=+0.78). CONCLUSIONS: Interpatient variation in blood volume per area is a preanalytical variable for both DMS and FP bloodspots. Hematocrit is but one interpatient variable, as correlations of fixed-volume bloodspot areas with hematocrit across patients were substantially inexact (r(2)<0.65).

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Eucalyptus is a genus widely cultivated in many tropical and subtropical regions of the world as one of the main sources of raw materials for the pulp and paper industry. Identification of clones and selection of genotypes with desirable agronomic characteristics would be useful. We assessed eucalyptus full-sibs that varied in wood quality, using a combination of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry to identify differentially expressed proteins as candidates for quality markers. Thirty-one differently expressed proteins were identified, including three proteins of clone X1, four of clone X2, and 12 each of clones X3 and X4. These proteins are involved in various biological processes, including polyphosphate biosynthesis, catalytic activity, nucleotide excision repair, cellular metabolic processes, cell redox homeostasis, response to salt stress, response to temperature, oxidation and reduction processes, cellular water homeostasis, and protein phosphorylation. In the cambial region of each clone, the proteins ketol-acid reductoisomerase, uncharacterized protein MG428, receptor-like serine/threonine-protein kinase and a heat shock protein were found in larger quantities in clone X4 than in clone X1. These proteins are known to be related to protection against oxidative stress and biosynthesis of lignin. A high buildup of proteins involved in response to stress in the cambial region of eucalyptus would indicate clones with undesirable characteristics for use in the pulp and paper industry.

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This study evaluates whether the mechanical properties of modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) of wood-fiber cement (WFC) sheets are correlated with the nondestructive parameters of stress wave velocity and density of the material. Longitudinal stress wave technique was used to evaluate WFC nondestructively using a total of 117 specimens (measuring each 241 x 51 mm) obtained from 39 WFC sheets. The aim was to establish the correlation between dynamic versus static MOE of the material for predicting the actual mechanical property. Even though short dimension specimens were used, results obtained were encouraging. A correlation coefficient (R) of 0.828 was found when the static MOE of the material was used as a function of nondestructive parameters. A multivariate linear regression analysis using the specimen's density, wave velocity, and dynamic MOE provided the strongest correlation to the static MOE. The correlation observed for MOR as a function of static MOE is within the normal range obtained for wood composites. A nondestructive evaluation (NDE) using full size WFC sheets is recommended and can probably improve the relationship between the static and the predicted MOE.

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Según el plan de muestra adoptada para calificar la calidad higiénica y sanitaria del papel higiénico, concluimos que con el criterio microbiológico A el 100 por ciento de las muestras de papel higuiénico analizadas resultaron calificadas como rechazables y con el criterio microbiológico B que es menos exigente, el 50 por ciento de las muestras resultaron aceptables y el otro 50 por ciento rechazables. Los papeles higuiénicos con mayor incidencia de microorganismos aerobios viables, procedieron de la fábrica K (clasificados como papeles de segunda, sin patente comercial conocida y expendidos a granel en el mercado ambulatorio) y los papeles higuiénicos con menos incidencia de microorganismos aerobios viables procedieron de la fábrica B (los papeles de esta fábrica estaban clasificados como papel higiénico de primera y con patente comercial conocida). Se determinó la presencia de 8 géneros:grampositivos:bacilus:micrococcus:staphylococcus. Gram negativos:flavobacterium, pesudomonas, aeromonas,. Hongos:Penicillium, aspergillus.

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