Repositório RCAAP

Como tem sido reconhecido em múltiplos trabalhos (Mouraz & Cosme, 2021; Pacheco & Maia, 2021; Roldão & Almeida, 2018), nomeadamente em estudos internacionais (Bolívar, 2019), o contexto contemporâneo português é hoje uma realidade educativo-política dinâmica, marcada por mudanças que se fazem sentir em diferentes níveis de deliberação curricular. Com efeito, com as alterações iniciadas em 2017 e generalizadas em 2018, o Ensino Básico português encontra-se num período de particular dinamismo curricular, cruzando influências provenientes das decisões JOURNAL OF SUPRANATIONAL POLICIES OF EDUCATION, ISSN 2340-6720 46 normativas, dos discursos político-pedagógicos mais amplos e das vivências educativas concretas experienciadas em cada realidade escolar. Contudo, à semelhança do que defende Giroux (2023), a ausência de historicidade na discussão e estudo incorre inevitavelmente num enfraquecimento analítico, pois é incapaz de atentar nos pressupostos ideológico-políticos que alicerçam e enquadram as opções concretas. Explicando por outras palavras, uma discussão que desconsidere a dimensão histórica conduzirá a um trabalho incapaz de reconhecer aos fundamentos - de dimensões políticas e ideológicas - que suportam, moldam e guiam as mudanças educativas que se almejam. Necessitamos, por conseguinte, de privilegiar uma reflexão mais ampla, que não se circunscreva a uma análise superficial de cada momento, mas que atente no modo como as influências internacionais, os documentos jurídico-normativos, os discursos políticos e os sistemas educativos se movimentam. Na senda do apresentado, este artigo procura, acima de tudo, problematizar a concretude da realidade educativa portuguesa - em particular o Ensino Básico nacional - a partir das mudanças políticas vivenciadas neste século XXI. Para tal, privilegiar-se-á uma hermenêutica dialógica que considera as tendências internacionais no âmbito educativo, o contexto político, os documentos jurídico-normativos de referência com incidência nas opções curriculares, os documentos curriculares de âmbito nacional, em particular aqueles que se orientam para decisões transversais e para a educação cidadã das crianças.

Actigraphy provides an objective measure of sleepiness and is recommended by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine for use 7–14 days prior to multiple sleep latency testing. It plays a valuable role in the differential diagnosis of hypersomnolence. Our aim was to provide a comprehensive summary of actigraphy features in central disorders of hypersomnolence (CDH). Data were sourced from six bibliographic databases. Fixed- or random-effects models were applied to compare patients with narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) to controls. Of the 1,737 publications identified in our search, 8 studies met the inclusion criteria. The total sample consisted of 473 participants, encompassing patients with NT1, idiopathic hypersomnia (IH), hypersomnolence with normal CSF hypocretin-1 levels, Kleine–Levin syndrome (KLS), traumatic brain injury (TBI), major depressive disorder (MDD), myotonic dystrophy (MD), primary insomnia and healthy controls. Actigraphy devices varied across studies. Compared to control subjects, NT1 patients had lower total sleep time (TST), sleep efficiency and daytime motor activity, with increased wake after sleep onset, awakenings, nocturnal motor activity and longest nap duration. In KLS, TST was higher during hypersomnia episodes than during asymptomatic phases. TBI and MDD patients had a higher TST than the control group, while MD patients had a lower TST than patients with IH. Actigraphy is a valuable tool for objectively assessing sleep and can assist in detecting CDH. However, the absence of standardized guidelines limits their broader implementation in clinical practice.

The pathophysiology of type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is intimately connected to the skeletal muscle (SkM). SkM affects insulin resistance and is, in turn, affected by the metainflammation, microvascular disease and ectopic fat deposition of T2DM. SkM mass can be inferred by the waist-to-calf ratio (WCR) and its function by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). The aim of this study was to determine the association between SkM mass and function with T2DM in patients with Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). Patients with MetS, aged 18 to 75 years-old, attending an outpatient clinic from April 15th to September 30th 2019, were consecutively included. Exclusion criteria comprised type 1 Diabetes, secondary hypertension, active neoplasia, autoimmune disease, HIV or hepatitis virus B or C infection and end-stage renal disease and/or liver disease. History and anthropometric data were collected, including weight, height, waist circumference (WC) and WCR; the SPPB was applied. A total of 81 patients were included, of which 58.0% had T2DM; most patients were female (55.6%) and the median age was 65 (interquartile range 16.5) years. Patients with T2DM were older (64.1 vs. 56.5 years, p=0.001) and more likely to have concurrent hypertension (96% vs. 65%, p<0.001) and dyslipidemia (96% vs. 56%, p<0.001). In univariate analysis, WC [odds ratio (OR) 1.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0-1.1), WCR (OR 146.2, 95% CI 9.9-2159.0) and SPPB (0.6, 95% CI 0.4-0.8) were associated with T2DM. In multivariate analysis, only SPPB maintained its association (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.44-0.97). Poorer muscle function, as determined by the SPPB, was associated with the presence of T2DM, even when considering body composition, per WCR. Longitudinal and mechanistic studies are warranted to best characterize this relationship.

Colloidal nanocarriers can play a key role in the efficacious delivery of drugs, including antimalarials. Here, we investigated the ability of polymeric micelles of the block copolymer F127 to act as nanovehicles for two organic salts derived from chloroquine and human bile acids, namely, chloroquinium cholate (iCQP1) and chloroquinium glycocholate (iCQP1g). We have previously reported the strong in vitro antiplasmodial activity of these salts, which displayed IC50 values of 13 and 15 nM against blood forms of Plasmodium falciparum, respectively. By deriving from amphiphilic lipids, iCQP1 and iCQP1g also enclose the ability to act as surface-active ionic liquids (SAILs). The micellization properties of neat F127 and of the F127/SAIL mixtures were initially investigated to gain physicochemical insight into the interaction between polymer and bioactive SAILs, resorting to differential scanning calorimetry, surface tension measurements and dynamic light scattering. Micelle formation by F127 is an endothermic process strongly temperature and concentration dependent. Interestingly, this process is significantly changed when the molar fraction of SAIL (xSAIL) in the F127/SAIL mixture is varied between 0.33 and 0.90. Both SAILs favor the formation of mixed micelles by decreasing the micellization temperature, and (observed only when for xSAIL = 0.33) by synergistically decreasing the cmc. Concomitantly, the micellar size is reduced from 18 to 13 nm as xSAIL is increased from 0.33 to 0.90. Crucially, in vitro assays show that when the SAILs are loaded into F127 polymeric micelles, their antiplasmodial efficacy is substantially enhanced, with a significant drop in IC50, especially for the iCQP1/F127 system. This opens new possibilities for the nanoformulations of antimalarial compounds.

Osseodensification is a non-extraction technique using specially designed drills to increase bone density while extending an osteotomy, allowing bone to be preserved and condensed by compacting autograft during osteotomy preparation, increasing bone density around implants, and improving mechanical stability. The objective of this study is to compare conventional osteotomy and osseodensification protocols in implant placement and analyze whether there are differences in bone density. Study variables were defined, namely, osseodensification technique, conventional osteotomy technique, bone density, sex, area of location, implant dimensions, implant dimensions, and implant stability. Eligibility and exclusion criteria were defined. A step-by-step surgical protocol was developed. The surgeon and radiologist underwent intra-examiner calibration. A total of 15 patients were selected according to the eligibility criteria, and a total of 41 implants were inserted, 20 implants by conventional osteotomy and 21 by osseodensification. A cone beam computed tomography was performed one year after prosthetic rehabilitation to estimate bone density. Data were collected and recorded, and in the analysis of the association of variables, non-parametric tests were applied. Significant statistical results were found in bone density values, with higher values being obtained with the osseodensification technique, that is, median density values of 1020, and median density values of 732 for the bone drilling technique. The results of the correlation between bone density in both techniques and sex, primary implant stability, implant dimensions and location area were statistically non-significant. Within the limitations of this study, there are differences in bone density between conventional osteotomy and osseodensification protocols. Bone density is increased with osseodensification over a study period of one year.

"CytoPath®Easy kit (DiaPath S.p.A.) offers a major advantage compared to other commercially available kits available for the screening of cervical cancer, as it does not require additional equipment for sample processing. Using this methodology, collected epithelial cells are immersed in a preservative liquid before setting as a thin layer on a slide via gravity sedimentation. Aims: To evaluate the suitability of the CytoPath®Easy kit for the processing of cervicalsamples, detection of pre‑neoplastic lesions, and nucleic preservation and extraction for HR‑HPV diagnosis. A total of 242 self‑sampled cervicalspecimens were utilized, with 192 collected in CytoPath®Easy vials and 50 collected and processed using the ThinPrepTM for comparative analysis. The samples underwent processing, Papanicolaou staining, and microscopic evaluation for morphological parameters. The extracted nucleic acids were assessed for purity and integrity, and the detection of high‑risk human papillomavirus (HR‑HPV) was carried out using the Alinitym HR HPV system kit (Abbott Laboratórios Lda). Both methods demonstrated effective performance, enabling the morphological assessment of the cervical epithelium. Statistical analysis indicated that ThinPrepTM yielded significantly better results in terms of cellularity. Conversely, CytoPath®Easy exhibited superior performance in terms of the quantity of extracted DNA and its degree of purification. Concerning the time consumed during processing, both methods were comparable, with the CytoPath®Easy methodology standing out for its cost‑effectiveness, as it does not necessitate additional instruments and consumables. The novel CytoPath®Easy methodology proves effective in preserving both nucleic acids and cell morphology characteristics, two crucial features for cervical cancer screening."

In order to combat a variety of pests, pesticides are widely used in fruits. Several extraction procedures (liquid extraction, single drop microextraction, microwave-assisted extraction, pressurized liquid extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, solid-phase extraction, solid-phase microextraction, matrix solid-phase dispersion, and stir bar sorptive extraction) have been reported to determine pesticide residues in fruits and fruit juices. The significant change in recent years is the introduction of the Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) methods in these matrices analysis. A combination of techniques reported the use of new extraction methods and chromatography to provide better quantitative recoveries at low levels. The use of mass spectrometric detectors in combination with liquid and gas chromatography has played a vital role to solve many problems related to food safety. The main attention in this review is on the achievements that have been possible because of the progress in extraction methods and the latest advances and novelties in mass spectrometry, and how these progresses have influenced the best control of food, allowing for an increase in the food safety and quality standards.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an occlusive atherosclerotic disease of the arteries of the extremities of the body that affects more than 230 million people worldwide. The most common symptom is intermittent claudication, described as leg pain which occurs mainly while walking. The symptoms impair the ambulation and functional capacity of patients, leading to loss of mobility, disease deterioration, increased risk of other cardiovascu-lar diseases, and lower quality of life (QoL). Therefore, the aim of this study was to perform a cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the VascuQol-6 questionnaire for the Portuguese population to obtain a quick, sensitive, and easy-to-use way to assess the QoL of Portuguese patients diagnosed with PAD. The Vascular Quality of Life-6 Questionnaire (VascuQoL-6) was adapted and translated into European Portuguese using standard validation methodology, including 115 patients with a mean age of 64.67 (7.23) years, with PAD with IC stable for more than three months; and ABI < 0.9 at rest. VascuQoL-6, SF-36, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and the PAD Knowledge Questionnaire (PADKQ) were used. Reliability, con-struct validity analysis through convergent and discriminant validity, known-group validity, and responsiveness analysis were tested. The Cronbach’s alpha was 0.64 and the average inter-item correlation was 0.27, indicating acceptable internal consistency. VascuQoL-6 was positively associated with SF-36 Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary scores (r = 0.64, p < 0.01 and r = 0.42, p < 0.01, re-spectively). In turn, there was no significant correlation between VascuQoL-6 scores and the PADKQ or IPAQ. A statistically significant difference between groups according to IC severity [F(2.47) = 8.35, p < 0.001] was found. A paired samples t-test showed differences between VascuQol-6 scores before a walking program (M = 15.65, SD = 3.09), and after a walking program (M = 17.41, SD = 2.71), t(67) = 3.94, p ≤ 0.001. The VascuQoL-6 is a six-item instrument to assess the QoL associated with PAD with good psychometric properties, convergent and dis-criminant validity with SF-36, PADKQ and IPAQ. The instrument proved to have known group validity and responsiveness.

To determine the normative values and reference equations of the 4-Meter Gait Speed Test (4MGS) at usual and maximal speed for Portuguese adults. We also assessed the participant experience during the performance of the 4MGS. A cross-sectional study was conducted with individuals without disabilities. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, smoking habits and physical activity (Brief Physical Activity Assessment Tool [BPAAT]) data were collected. Individuals performed 3 repetitions of 4MGS at usual and maximal speeds, and the best performances were recorded. Speed values were calculated by age and sex. Stepwise multiple regressions were used for the reference equations. Participants rated their comfort from 0 (‘not comfortable at all’) to 5 (‘very comfortable’) for each modality and indicated their preferences. A total of 287 individuals (62.4% female; 47.8 ± 19.5 years) were recruited. Speed was significantly reduced after the sixth decade of life compared with the other decades (p < 0.001). Reference equations were: Usual speed = 1.598 – (0.006 x age) + (0.060 x BPAAT classification), R2= 27% and Maximal speed = 2.272 – (0.010 x age) + (0.157 x sex) + (0.73 x BPAAT classification), R2= 38%. Most participants felt ‘very comfortable’ performing the 4MGS at usual speed (94.8%), maximal speed (75.6%) and no preference in 4MGS modalities (69%). Speed is significantly affected by age. For the reference equations, age and physical activity explain the results of usual speed, and both associated with sex explain the results of maximal speed. Most participants were highly comfortable and expressed no preference in 4MGS modalities.

Motor Imagery is a mental representation of movement without real execution, and it seems to promote the increase and/or the maintenance of balance in different health conditions. The aim of this study it to verify the influence of a motor imagery intervention program on the balance in older adults without neurological conditions. A randomized controlled trial, pre-post intervention design with a 4-weeks follow-up was performed. Sixteen subjects were randomized into experimental group (n = 7) and control group (n = 9). The selection was performed through a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Movement Imagery Questionnaire-3 and the Mini Mental State Examination. Subjects in the experimental group performed the motor imagery training, while the control group was listening a story (sham), both during 10 minutes, three-times-a-week for three weeks. Balance was assessed using the Single Leg Stance (SLS) and Functional Reach Test (FRT). To compare groups and moments within each group the Mann-Whitney test and the Wilcoxon test were used respectively, with a confidence level of 95%. There was differences between groups at follow-up in SLS (p=0.049). In the experimental group there was an improvement in SLS after intervention (p=0.018), that was maintained at follow-up. Moreover, during FRT the reach increased, however no statistical differences were found. In the control group no differences were found in all outcomes at all moments (p=0.197 and 0.104, in SLS and FRT respectively). It was found that the motor imagery program increased the amount of time in single leg stance which remained at follow-up.

The new incremental step test (IST) is a field test that was developed for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), based on the characteristics of the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT); however, its measurement properties still need to be determined. We aimed, first, to assess the construct validity (through the comparison with the ISWT), within-day reliability and measurement error of the IST in people with COPD; and, second, to identify whether the participants have a learning effect in the IST. Cross-sectional study, conducted according to COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement INstruments guidelines. A family health unit in Portugal, April 2022 to June 2023. 63 participants (67.5±10.5 years) attended two sessions to perform two IST and two ISWT, separately. Spearman’s correlations were used to compare the best performances between the IST and the ISWT. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC2,1) was used for reliability, and the SE of measurement (SEM), minimal detectable change at 95% CI (MDC95) and Bland and Altman 95% limits of agreement (LoA) were used for measurement error. The learning effect was explored with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The IST was significant and strongly correlated with the ISWT (0.72<ρ<0.74, p<0.001), presented an ICC2,1 of 0.95 (95% CI 0.92 to 0.97), SEM=11.7 (18.9%), MDC95=32.4 (52.2%) and the LoA were −33.61 to 31.48 for the number of steps. No difference was observed between the number of steps of the two attempts of the IST (p>0.05). The IST can be suggested as a valid and reliable test to assess exercise capacity in people with COPD, with no learning effect when two IST are performed on the same day. The measurement error of the IST is considered indeterminate.

The primary objective of this study is the preparation of the certification of the Clynx® Platform, a physiotherapy software, as a Class IIa medical device software in accordance with the regulatory framework outlined in Medical Device Regulation 2017/745 (MDR). The methodology involves a comprehensive analysis of European Union medical device regulations and guidelines, with a specific focus on the certification process essential for obtaining a Conformité Européenne (CE) marking for Class IIa medical device software. This section explores the intricate aspects of the certification process, emphasizing the compilation of Technical Documentation, the nuances of Clinical Evaluation, and the establishment of a Quality Management System. The approach aligns closely with the stipulations of MDR 2017/745. The study includes an industry case study featuring the Clynx® Platform, developed by Clynx® Health. Insights derived from the MDR are applied to categorize an in-development version of the software as a Class IIa medical device. The preparation of certification of this product involves the meticulous creation of Intended Use, Classification, General and Safety Performance Requirements, and Clinical Evaluation files, the presentation of an experimental protocol to validate the software’s technical performance for inclusion in the Clinical Evaluation, and a description of an Internal Audit performed on the Quality Management System. The certification of Class IIa medical device software necessitates the compilation of thorough Technical Documentation, including an extensive Clinical Evaluation, and the implementation of a robust Quality Management System. The certification process is conducted in collaboration with Notified Bodies, ensuring adherence to the stringent requirements set forth by the regulatory framework.

Decreased muscle strength, especially in the muscles of lower limbs, is an important risk factor for early age‐related decline in physical function, morbidity, hospitalization, and mortality.1 This evidence should be a stimulus for healthcare professionals to include the assessment of muscular strength as a priority in the community due to its substantial value in predicting future health status.2 For this purpose, sit‐to‐stand tests represent one of the simple and valid options to quantify lower limb strength,3 and two of the most used are the 1‐min sit‐to‐stand (1MSTS)4 and the 5 times sit‐to‐stand (5TSTS).5 To standardize the use of 1MSTS and 5TSTS, it is important to explore whether a similar reliability and learning effect exist between adults and older adults in community settings. Since aging may cause a significant reduction in motor skill acquisition,6 it is important to carefully consider whether performances on these tests are the same for repeated measurement over time (test‐retest) and if a practice test is needed according to age. Another reason to establish the reliability and learning effect, before recommending the use of the sit‐to‐stand tests for adults and older adults, is because significantly different performances have been found between these populations.7,8 With this research, we aimed to determine the within‐day test‐ retest reliability and the learning effect of the 1MSTS and 5TSTS in adults (

Psychological factors play a crucial role in the experience of acute low back pain and may influence functional outcomes. However, the interplay between these factors and levels of physical activity remains poorly understood. This cross-sectional observational study examined the relationship between psychological variables and functional disability in individuals with acute low back pain, considering different levels of physical activity. Data were collected from 1021 participants through an online platform between 8 June 2022 and 8 April 2023. Standardized instruments were used to assess functional limitations, emotional distress (depression, anxiety, and stress), daily pain catastrophizing, and physical activity levels. A canonical correlation analysis was conducted to explore the multivariate associations between psychological and functional variables. There was a statistically significant association between higher levels of emotional distress and greater functional impairment related to low back pain. This association was observed in both the light-physical-activity group (canonical coefficient = 0.266; p = 0.017), the moderate-physical-activity group (0.237; p = 0.092), and the vigorous-physical-activity group (0.177; p = 0.013). Participants engaging in vigorous physical activity exhibited more favorable psychological profiles and lower functional disability compared to those with lower levels of activity. Regular and vigorous physical activity appears to be a protective factor for mental health and may help reduce functional disability in individuals with acute low back pain. These findings underscore the importance of considering physical activity levels when addressing psychological and functional outcomes in this population.

Fast and accurate analysis, providing reliable results at trace concentration levels, is a current demand of the modern world. This pressure is justifiable in limit situations but also in our daily life, for instance when waiting for a diagnosis based on lab results in a hospital or when wondering about the quality of water running from our taps. During the last years, tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) based techniques have become the method of choice for determination of chemical compounds in complex matrices due to their inherent high sensitivity and selectivity. MS/MS techniques allow the achievement of low limits of detection and therefore prompt for the quantification of trace analyte levels generally present in environmental and biological samples. The majority of applications rely on the coupling to a separative technique prior to MS/MS detection. In this work, relevant applications of the association HPLC-MS/MS for quantification of bioactive compounds in biological matrices will be critically discussed. The steps of sample preparation and analytical determination will be addressed. Moreover, the main analytical features of each developed method, including selectivity, accuracy, precision, limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ), stability and matrix effects will be highlighted. First, despite the recognition of tranexamic acid (TXA) as an important antifibrinolytic drug, there is a lack of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data concerning variable age groups undergoing surgeries with high blood loss. Clinical trials performed so far suggest a wide variability in response to TXA and, therefore, the implementation of a methodology based on UHPLC-MS/MS for monitoring TXA in human plasma samples at sub-microgram per milliliter levels was pursued.1 In a different context, millions of people worldwide live with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection raising the continuous search for new prevention and treatment strategies, including topical microbicide products combining antiretroviral drugs such as tenofovir (TFV) and efavirenz (EFV). An HPLC-MS/MS method was developed targeting the quantification of antiretrovirals in mice tissue and fluid samples recovered from a pharmacokinetics study with nanoparticles and it was fully validated for the different biological matrices.2 Finally, BIBP 3226 is a potent and selective neuropeptide Y Y1 receptor antagonist that has been successfully used in in vitro studies showing a positive impact in bone turnover and thus providing good perspectives towards its application as a pharmacological tool for bone regeneration. Having in mind the therapeutic potential of BIBP 3226 and also the need to elucidate receptor-antagonist internalization mechanisms, the challenge was to develop a methodology based on HPLC-MS/MS that permitted to quantify the low quantities of antagonist expected to be internalized by cells.

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an important antifibrinolytic agent in the treatment of different haemorrhagic conditions.1,2 However, the information about pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics is scarce. Therefore, the development of analytical methods for the quantification of TXA in different types of biological samples is required, because this information will be relevant in the establishment of adequate doses. TXA has been determined in different biological matrices but the quantification in urine samples assumes particular importance because urinary excretion is the main route of elimination.1,2 Sample preparation is a critical step in analytical procedures for the elimination of interfering compounds and also for analyte pre-concentration.2,3,4 Among the different sample preparation techniques, solid-phase extraction (SPE) is one the most versatile sample-processing methods and the automation of this strategy increases precision by reducing human intervention, sources of error and also analysis time and cost.3,4 Hence, the main goal of the present work was the development of an automated micro-solid-phase extraction (SPE) methodology using bead injection (BI) in a mesofluidic lab-on-valve (LOV) flow system combined to liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry for the determination of TXA in urine samples. For the µSPE-BI-LOV methodology, three sorbents were tested, namely OASIS-HLB, -MCX and -MAX, and different parameters were evaluated, including eluent and carrier composition, composition of matrix removal solution and sample loading volume. All steps of SPE were defined and implemented by computer programming. The processed samples were analysed using a method based on ultra-highperformance liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS).5 Chromatographic separation was achieved using a BEH Amide column (50 × 2.1 mm; 1.7 µm particle size), maintained at 40 °C. The mobile phase consisted of a mixture of acetonitrile-aqueous ammonium bicarbonate (pH 7.4; 10 mM), at a flow rate of 0.1 mL min−1. The MS was operated in positive ionization mode (ESI+) and data was acquired in selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode (m/z 158.25 > 95.15 for quantification, and m/z 158.25 > 123.20 for identification). Firstly, studies were performed using TXA standards, in order to establish the optimal conditions for SPE. The results revealed that OASISHLB sorbent permitted to achieve higher recovery percentages (ca. 80%) and higher repeatability compared to the other tested sorbents, particularly OASIS-MCX. Consequently, OASIS-HLB was selected for the further experiments. The eluent composition and the sample loading volume were also studied, and the best results were obtained using a mixture of acetonitrile-aqueous ammonium bicarbonate (pH 7.4; 10 mM) (75:25, v/v) and 1000 µL of sample, respectively. Furthermore, the use of 0.1% (v/v) of formic acid as washing solution and solvent for sample preparation permitted to increase analyte recovery from 55% to 80%. The use of aqueous ammonium bicarbonate (pH 7.4; 10 mM) or water as carrier was also tested, and the obtained analyte recoveries were similar. The method is currently under development targeting the application to urine samples recovered during scoliosis surgery and the implementation of a strategy for hyphenation of the automated SPE system with mass spectrometry.

In dynamic leaching methods, portions of extractant reagents are continuously provided to the solid sample contained in flow-through microcolumns or chambers, enabling the renewal of extracting fluid and avoiding saturation effects from fluid stagnation. These methods are also suitable for fast measurements in real time with small extract manipulation, especially when coupled online with suitable detectors [1]. In this work, the bioaccessible fraction and kinetic leaching profile of zinc in pet food was determined using a robust flow-through device, composed by two filters placed in polypropylene holders to entrap the solid sample, designed for dynamic leaching experiments [2]. Continuous extraction flow was ensured by a peristaltic pump connecting the extraction reservoir and the extraction chamber, at a flow rate of 0.5 mL min-1. Synthetic fluids simulating digestive compartments were applied as extractants. The kinetic extraction profile of fast leachable Zn was evaluated by flame atomic absorption. Operational conditions, including filters’ composition and pore size, were tested. Preliminary results have shown that different extracting fluids (with and without digestive enzymes) had an influence on the total amount and on the leaching kinetic profile of Zn. In fact, higher values were obtained when enzymes were present in the extracting fluids. The proposed dynamic leaching method was suitable for evaluation of bioaccessible Zn in pet food. This information will be applied for the improvement of Zn supplementation in dog foods and for designing new products with enhanced mineral delivery.

A 3D-mirror synthetic receptor for ciprofloxacin host–guest interactions and potentiometric transduction is presented. The host cavity was shaped on a polymeric surface assembled with methacrylic acid or 2-vinyl pyridine monomers by radical polymerization. Molecularly imprinted particles were dispersed in 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether and entrapped in a poly(vinyl chloride) matrix. The sensors exhibited a near-Nernstian response in steady state evaluations. Slopes and detection limits ranged from 26.8 to 50.0mVdecade−1 and 1.0×10−5 to 2.7×10−5 mol L−1, respectively. Good selectivity was observed for trimethoprim, enrofloxacin, tetracycline, cysteine, galactose, hydroxylamine, creatinine, ammonium chloride, sucrose, glucose, sulphamerazine and sulfadiazine. The sensors were successfully applied to the determination of ciprofloxacin concentrations in fish and in pharmaceuticals. The method presented offered the advantages of simplicity, accuracy, applicability to colored and turbid samples and automation feasibility, as well as confirming the use of molecularly imprinted polymers as ionophores for organic ion recognition in potentiometric transduction.

A neurological dogma is that the contralateral effects of brain injury are set through crossed descending neural tracts. We have recently identified a novel topographic neuroendocrine system (T-NES) that operates via a humoral pathway and mediates the left-right side-specific effects of unilateral brain lesions. In rats with completely transected thoracic spinal cords, unilateral injury to the sensorimotor cortex produced contralateral hindlimb flexion, a proxy for neurological deficit. Here, we investigated in acute experiments whether T-NES consists of left and right counterparts and whether they differ in neural and molecular mechanisms. We demonstrated that left- and right-sided hormonal signaling is differentially blocked by the δ-, κ- and µ-opioid antagonists. Left and right neurohormonal signaling differed in targeting the afferent spinal mechanisms. Bilateral deafferentation of the lumbar spinal cord abolished the hormone-mediated effects of the left-brain injury but not the right-sided lesion. The sympathetic nervous system was ruled out as a brain-to-spinal cord-signaling pathway since hindlimb responses were induced in rats with cervical spinal cord transections that were rostral to the preganglionic sympathetic neurons. Analysis of gene–gene co-expression patterns identified the left- and right-side-specific gene co-expression networks that were coordinated via the humoral pathway across the hypothalamus and lumbar spinal cord. The coordination was ipsilateral and disrupted by brain injury. These findings suggest that T-NES is bipartite and that its left and right counterparts contribute to contralateral neurological deficits through distinct neural mechanisms, and may enable ipsilateral regulation of molecular and neural processes across distant neural areas along the neuraxis.

Olanzapine (Olz) have been reported to promote higher risk for metabolic side-effects, such as obesity, dyslipidemia, and diabetes. Moreover/On the other hand, acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) has been reported to improve homeostasis. This study aims to explore if ALC could improve metabolic homeostasis due to Olz effects on a rodent model. We investigated the effects of subchronic administration of Olz and with the addition of ALC on body weight gain and glucose metabolism in Wistar rats. Mid-term Olz exposure in rats significantly increases blood glucose levels in fasting and after the overload of glucose compared to the sali-ne-treated group (p<0.05). However, in rats mid-term treated with olanzapine plus acetyl-L-carnitine had no significant differences in fasting blood glucose levels compared to the saline-treated group. The findings suggest that ALC added to Olz treatment appeared to be effective to improve glucose metabolism during olanzapine subchronic treatment.