Forensic Geochemistry Reveals International Ship Dumping as a Source of New Oil Spill in Brazil's Coastline (Bahia) in Late 2023.

In the present study, we applied forensic geochemistry to investigate the origin and fate of spilled oils like tarballs stranded at the beaches of Bahia, in northeastern Brazil, in September 2023, based on their fingerprints. Saturated and aromatic compounds were assessed by gas chromatography, and the oceanic surface circulation patterns were deciphered to determine the geographic origin of the spill. Contamination by petroleum represents an enormous threat to the unique, species-rich ecosystems of the study area. The geochemical fingerprint of the oil spilled in 2023 did not correlate with those of previous events, including the one in 2019, the one in early 2022 in Ceará, and an extensive spill across the Brazilian Northeast in late 2022. However, the fingerprint did correlate with crude oils produced by Middle Eastern countries, most likely Kuwait. The oil of the 2023 spill had a carbonate marine origin from early mature source rocks. These findings, together with the moderate weathering of the 2023 tarballs and the ocean circulation patterns at the time of the event, indicate that the oil was discharged close to the shore of Brazil, to the east or southeast of Salvador, by a tanker on an international route in the South Atlantic.

Qualitative Analysis of Baltic Amber Resin by Gas Chromatography Coupled with Mass Spectrometry and the Therapeutic Potential of this Fossil Resin

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the molecular composition of a sample of Baltic amber taken from an amber bracelet, verify the presence or absence of compounds beneficial to human health, and discuss the therapeutic potential of this fossil resin. Material and Methods: For this, a qualitative analysis was performed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS system), which can perform an automated separation into individual components of amber. Results: The samples comprised terpenes and terpenoids: monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, diterpenoids, hydronaphthalene, succinic acid, and isopimaric acid. These have therapeutic potential for several diseases, inhibit several stages of the inflammatory process, and improve the symptoms caused by it. Conclusion: The amber of this sample tested is formed by terpenes and terpenoids, substances with anti-inflammatory and analgesic. However, an in-depth study is needed on the release and absorption of substances in human skin or their actual effectiveness.

Weathering impacts on petroleum biomarker, aromatic, and polar compounds in the spilled oil at the northeast coast of Brazil over time.

After the wide oil spill reached the northeast of Brazil, the resurgence of oil was recorded and to evaluate this oil in detail, two samples collected in the state of Pernambuco in 2019 and 2021 were submitted to multiple analytical techniques. For both, we have found similar saturated biomarkers and triaromatic steroid ratios, implying that they are from the same spilled source. The n-alkanes, isoprenoids, and cycloalkanes were almost completely degraded due to evaporation, photooxidation, and/or biodegradation processes. The preferential loss of less alkylated PAHs than the more alkylated ones suggests that biodegradation was the most active process. This hypothesis is reinforced by the formation of mono and dicarboxylic acids assessed by GC × GC-TOFMS and ESI(-) FT-ICR MS high-resolution techniques. Furthermore, based on the ESI(-) FT-ICR MS results, three new ratios were proposed to evaluate the progress of the biodegradation process over time: Ox>2/O, SOx/SO, and SOx/N.

Patient-centered outcomes in non-small-cell lung cancer: a real-world perspective.

Aims: To assess non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patient-centered outcomes in the real world. Methods: This is a prospective study of NSCLC patients treated at a private cancer care institution in Brazil between 2014 and 2019. Results: The report comprises 337 patients. Advanced stage was associated with higher symptom burden - fatigue (p = 0.03), pain (p < 0.001) and arm pain (p = 0.022) - and worse global, social and physical functioning (all p < 0.001). In the first 2 years, most factors evolved to either improvement or stability: cough (p = 0.02), pain (p = 0.002), global functioning (p < 0.001) and emotional functioning (p < 0.001). Staging (p < 0.001), fatigue (p = 0.001) and gender (p = 0.004) were independently associated with overall survival. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate the feasibility of conducting real-world prospective analysis of patient-centered outcomes.

Lay abstract This study looked at patient-centered outcomes in lung cancer in a real-world setting. Standardized quality-of-life questionnaires were used to actively measure patients' perception of their functional well-being and health in a clinical setting. Three hundred thirty-seven patients were enrolled in a private cancer center in Brazil between 2014 and 2019. We demonstrated that patients diagnosed at advanced stages presented with more symptoms and lower capacity to perform daily activities. However, symptoms and functioning tended to improve during treatment. Our results show that it is possible to put patients at the heart of cancer care and use their experience to guide clinical approach.

Effect of roasting speed on the volatile composition of coffees with different cup quality.

This study investigated the volatile composition of coffee blends of different cup quality, roasted in an industrial-scale semi-fluidized bed roaster (SFBR) and in a lab-scale fluidized bed roaster (FBR), at three roasting speeds/profiles, to reach medium roast degree. Thirty volatile compounds were selectively investigated. Roasting the specialty coffee blend in both roasters produced lower concentrations of total volatile compounds, compared to the low cup quality blends. Higher concentrations of pyrazines and phenols were observed in low cup quality blends. In SFBR, quality and roasting speed affected all groups of compounds, including impact compounds such as 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, 2-ethylpyrazine, 2,3-dimethylpyrazine, 2-methoxyphenol and 4-ethyl-2-methoxyphenol. In FBR, only phenols were affected. The present results help explain why different roast profiles should be used for coffees with different cup quality for better sensory outcome and why blending should be performed after roasting of green seeds. They also show that results obtained in lab scale roasters are not necessarily reproduced in industry under the same settings.

Sex differences in pericardial adipose tissue assessed by PET/CT and association with cardiometabolic risk.

Background Recent studies suggest that pericardial adipose tissue (PAT) is associated with whole body adiposity and insulin resistance. Moreover, the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) differs between men and women. Although CVD is more prevalent in men, women suffering from CVD have a higher mortality compared to men. Differences in PAT may account for some of the observed sex differences in manifestations of CVD. Purpose To assess pericardial adipose tissue (PAT) as a biomarker for cardiometabolic risk and to assess potential sex differences. Material and Methods We studied 303 individuals (151 women, 152 men; mean age = 57 ± 17 years) across the weight spectrum. PAT and abdominal adipose tissue were quantified using clinical computed tomography (CT) scans obtained as part of a positron emission tomography (PET)/CT. Cardiometabolic risk factors were assessed from medical records. Linear regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to evaluate associations between PAT and cardiometabolic risk. Results PAT was higher in overweight and obese individuals compared to lean individuals and higher in men compared to women. PAT was positively associated with body mass index, abdominal fat ( P < 0.0001), fasting glucose, and serum lipids ( P < 0.05) with stronger associations in women than in men. PAT was accurate in detecting the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome with 74% sensitivity and 76% specificity (AUC = 0.80). Conclusion PAT is associated with measures of cardiometabolic risk and these associations are stronger in women compared to men. PAT could serve as a biomarker for opportunistic screening for cardiometabolic risk in patients undergoing chest CT.

Use of counter-current chromatography as a selective extractor for the diterpenequinone 7α-hydroxyroyleanone from Tetradenia riparia.

A solvent system was developed for selective isolation by high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) of the benzoquinone 7α-hydroxyroileanone, 1, a bioactive diterpene from a dichloromethane extract of Tetradenia riparia leaves. Several solvent systems were initially studied, including hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water in several ratios, hexane-acetone-methanol-water, hexane-ethanol-water and hexane-acetonitrile-methanol, which gave recovery rates for the target compound between 13.4 and 35.9%. The new solvent system hexane-5% aqueous Na2CO3 (1:1) was developed based on the chemical ionization reaction of the benzoquinone hydroxyl group in the basic pH of the carbonate solution, prompted by the extraction procedure used for the extraction of lapachol (a natural naphtoquinone) from a Tabebuia species wood. By using the HSCCC chromatograph as a liquid-liquid extractor with the above mentioned solvent system the recovery rate of 1 increased to 81.8%, affording the quinone with 97% purity.

A perspectiva fenomenológico-existencial na compreensão das técnicas projetivas no psicodiagnóstico infantil / The phenomenological-existential perspective in the comprehension of the projective techniques for child psychodiagnostic / La perspectiva fenomenológico-existencial en la comprensión de las técnicas proyectivas en el psicodiagnóstico infantil

O objetivo deste artigo é discutir a possibilidade de um olhar fenomenológico-existencial aos testes projetivos, amplamente usados como instrumentos de avaliação psicológica e psicodiagnóstico. Inicialmente, o conceito de projeção é mapeado em suas diversas definições, começando pela concepção psicanalítica (que, classicamente, é entendida como “a oficial” e dá suporte às leituras e interpretações dos resultados obtidos com base no traçado e nas histórias contadas pelo testando). Em seguida, serão mostradas outras perspectivas do termo, com base na visão de autores do âmbito da fenomenologia existencial, como Sartre e Merleau-Ponty. Ao longo do texto, serão feitas algumas propostas de entendimento das provas gráficas com uma metodologia fenomenológico-existencial (como exemplo, a maiêutica socrática), que não trabalha com base em critérios prévios de análise, mas entende a fundamental participação do sujeito na "doação de significados" e na devolutiva dos resultados, momento em que a análise se completa.

The purpose of this article is to discuss the possibility of an existentialphenomenological view of projective tests, widely used as instruments for psychological assessment and psychodiagnosis. Initially, the concept of projection is mapped approaching its various definitions, starting with the psychoanalytic conception (which is usually understood as the "official one", and seconds the reading and interpretation of the results obtained based on the script and history reported by the subject). Afterwards, different perspectives of the term will be shown, grounded by the vision of authors within the existential phenomenological scope such as Sartre and Merleau- Ponty. Along the text, some proposed understanding of graphic tests will be made with an existential-phenomenological methodology (for instance, Socrates’ maieutic method), which does not work based on previous analysis criteria, but understands the subject’s fundamental role in the “donation of meanings” and in the feedback of results, when the analysis is completed

El propósito de este artículo es discutir la posibilidad de una mirada existencialfenomenológica en pruebas proyectivas, ampliamente utilizadas como instrumentos de evaluación psicológica y psicodiagnóstico. Inicialmente, el concepto de proyección es observado en sus diversas definiciones, empezando con la concepción psicoanalítica (que, clásicamente, se entiende como "oficial", y da apoyo a las lecturas e interpretaciones de los resultados obtenidos con base en los dibujos y las historias contadas por los sujetos). A continuación se muestran diferentes perspectivas del término desde la visión de los autores del ámbito de la fenomenología existencial, como Sartre y Merleau-Ponty. A lo largo del texto se realizarán algunas propuestas de entendimiento de las pruebas gráficas con una metodología fenomenológicaexistencial (como por ejemplo la mayéutica socrática) que no trabaja con criterios previos de análisis, pero entiende el papel fundamental del sujeto en la "donación de significados" y en las devoluciones de los resultados, momento en el que el análisis se completa.

Fraturas e imobilizações em ortotraumatologia / Fractures and fixtures in orthotherumatology

Introdução: Fratura caracteriza-se pela ruptura da continuidade do osso e perda da integridade da estrutura esquelética. Imobilização éutilizada para controlar ou abolir movimentos de um membro fraturado e obtenção do reparo da lesão, sendo importante a sua efi cácia.Objetivos: Apresentar o número de atendimentos realizados no ambulatório de ortopedia de um hospital-escola do interior paulista,durante três meses, e relatar os principais tipos de imobilizações (talas/gessos); caracterizar o perfi l sociográfi co dos sujeitos; apresentaras principais dúvidas, difi culdades e problemas relatados pelos pacientes e/ou acompanhantes em relação à imobilização; elaborar umfolheto explicativo com orientações/esclarecimentos quanto aos cuidados durante a imobilização, atendendo à prerrogativa do Processode Enfermagem. Material e Método: Estudo descritivo realizado por meio de um instrumento semiestruturado com perguntas abertase fechadas. Resultados: Participaram 100 pessoas, destes, 54% do gênero masculino e 46% feminino, 27% compareceram ao serviçoacompanhados, 31% tinham ensino médio completo, 54% recebiam um salário mínimo. Na avaliação do atendimento, orientações eesclarecimentos dos serviços ortopédicos a maioria considerou ótimo e bom, 35% regular, 4% ruim; quanto às orientações sobre afratura...

Introduction: Fracture is featured by rupture of bone continuity and loss of skeletal structure integrity. Immobilization is performed tocontrol or abolish movements of a fractured limb and obtain injury repair, being relevant its effectiveness. Objectives: To present thenumber of visits performed at the orthopedic clinic of a school hospital in São Paulo countryside during three months, and to reportthe main types of immobilizations (splints/plasters); to characterize the subjects sociographic profi le and to present the main doubts,diffi culties and problems reported by patients and/or companions regarding the immobilization; to elaborate an explanatory folder withguidelines/clarifi cations about the care during immobilization, according to the prerogative of the Nursing Process. Material and Method:It is a descriptive study, carried out using a semi-structured instrument with open and closed questions. Results: The study included atotal of 100 people, 54% male and 46% female; 27% were accompanied, 31% had completed high school, 54% received just a minimumwage. In the evaluation of care, guidelines...

Introducción: La fractura se caracteriza por la ruptura de la continuidad del hueso y la pérdida de la integridad de la estructura esquelética.La inmovilización se utiliza para controlar o suprimir movimientos de un miembro fracturado y obtener la reparación de la lesión, siendoimportante su efi cacia. Objetivos: Presentar el número de atendimientos realizados en el ambulatorio de ortopedia de un hospital-escueladel interior paulista, durante tres meses y relatar los principales tipos de inmovilizaciones (tallas/yesos); caracterizar el perfi l sociográfi code los sujetos; presentar las principales dudas, difi cultades y problemas relatados por los pacientes y/o acompañantes en relación ala inmovilización; elaborar un folleto explicativo con orientaciones/aclaraciones en cuanto a los cuidados durante la inmovilización,atendiendo a la prerrogativa del proceso de enfermería. Material y Método: Estudio descriptivo realizado por medio de un instrumentosemiestructurado con preguntas abiertas y cerradas. Resultados: Participaron 100 personas, de éstas, el 54% del género masculino y46% femenino, el 27% asistieron al servicio acompañados, 31% tenían enseñanza media completa, 54% recibían un salario mínimo.En la evaluación de la atención, orientaciones y aclaraciones de los servicios ortopédicos la mayoría consideró óptimo y bueno, 35%regular, 4% malo, en cuanto a las orientaciones...

Quantification of real thermal, catalytic, and hydrodeoxygenated bio-oils via comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with mass spectrometry.

The elucidation of bio-oil composition is important to evaluate the processes of biomass conversion and its upgrading, and to suggest the proper use for each sample. Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-TOFMS) is a widely applied analytical approach for bio-oil investigation due to the higher separation and resolution capacity from this technique. This work addresses the issue of analytical performance to assess the comprehensive characterization of real bio-oil samples via GC×GC-TOFMS. The approach was applied to the individual quantification of compounds of real thermal (PWT), catalytic process (CPO), and hydrodeoxygenation process (HDO) bio-oils. Quantification was performed with reliability using the analytical curves of oxygenated and hydrocarbon standards as well as the deuterated internal standards. The limit of quantification was set at 1ngµL-1 for major standards, except for hexanoic acid, which was set at 5ngµL-1. The GC×GC-TOFMS method provided good precision (<10%) and excellent accuracy (recovery range of 70-130%) for the quantification of individual hydrocarbons and oxygenated compounds in real bio-oil samples. Sugars, furans, and alcohols appear as the major constituents of the PWT, CPO, and HDO samples, respectively. In order to obtain bio-oils with better quality, the catalytic pyrolysis process may be a better option than hydrogenation due to the effective reduction of oxygenated compound concentrations and the lower cost of the process, when hydrogen is not required to promote deoxygenation in the catalytic pyrolysis process.

Assistência de enfermagem no transplante cardíaco: revisão integrativa / Nursing care in heart transplantation: integrative review / Asistencia de enfermería en transplante cardíaco: revisión integradora

Objetivo: analisar a produção científica dos enfermeiros acerca da assistência de enfermagem ao cliente submetido ao transplante cardíaco. Método: revisão integrativa, com levantamento de artigos dos últimos 10 anos na LILACS, BIREME e biblioteca virtual SCIELO com a questão de pesquisa <> Resultados: após a análise, emergiram as seguintes categorias: << O perfil do cliente submetido ao transplante de coração: a família e a qualidade de vida >> e << Assistência de Enfermagem: diagnósticos, intervenções e educação em saúde como coadjuvante na recuperação pósoperatória >> Conclusão: a atuação do enfermeiro no processo de cuidar do paciente transplantado cardíaco deve conceber uma ligação direta e contínua da assistência e da educação em saúde.(AU)

Objective: to analyze the scientific production of nurses about nursing care of the client submitted to heart transplantation. Method: integrative review, with articles survey from the last 10 years in LILACS, BIREME and SCIELO virtual library with the research question << Which are the scientific evidence available in the literature related to the impact of the activities of nurse´s care of heart transplantation? >> Results: after analysis, emerged the following categories << The customer profile submitted to heart transplantation: the family and the quality of life >> and << Nursing Care: Diagnostics, interventions and health education as a support in postoperative recovery >> Conclusion: the work of nurses in the care of heart transplanted patients should design a direct and continuous connection of care and health education.(AU)

Objetivo: analizar la producción científica de los enfermeros acerca de la asistencia de enfermería al paciente sometido al trasplante cardíaco. Método: revisión integradora, con levantamiento de artículos de los últimos 10 años en la LILACS, BIREME y biblioteca virtual SCIELO con la pregunta de investigación << ¿Cuáles son las evidencias científicas disponibles en la literatura relacionadas al impacto de la actuación de los enfermeros frente a la asistencia al trasplantado cardíaco? >> Resultados: después del análisis emergieron las siguientes categorías << El perfil del cliente sometido al trasplante de corazón: la familia y la calidad de vida >> y << Asistencia de Enfermería: Diagnósticos, intervenciones y educación en salud como coadyuvante en la recuperación pos-operatoria >> Conclusión: la actuación del enfermero en el proceso de cuidar del paciente trasplantado cardíaco debe concebir una ligación directa y continua de la asistencia y de la educación en salud.(AU)

Evaluation of the composition of Carica papaya L. seed oil extracted with supercritical CO2.

Among the most important tropical fruit grown in the world today and in Brazil, papaya occupies a prominent place. Native to tropical America, papaya has spread to several regions of the world, and Brazil accounts for 12.74% of the world production, followed by Mexico, Nigeria and India. The culture reached a harvested area of 441,042 ha and production of 12,420,585 t worldwide. The largest interest in this fruit relies on its main constituent compounds, like vitamins A, B and C, alkaloids (carpaine and pseudocarpaine), proteolytic enzymes (papain and quimiopapain) and benzyl isothiocyanate, more known as BITC, which has anthelmintic activity. Because of that, the present work has as objective the evaluation of the efficiency and composition of the oil extracted from Carica papaya L. seeds with supercritical carbon dioxide. The experiments were performed in a unit containing mainly a high-pressure pump and a stainless steel extractor with 42 mL of volume. The sampling was performed at each 20 min until the saturation of the process. About 6.5 g of sample were fed for each experiment done at 40, 60 and 80 °C under the pressures of 100, 150 and 200 bar. Samples of the Carica papaya L. fruit were acquired in a popular market and free for personal use intended for the study. After collection, the seeds were crushed with the help of a pestle, and dried at 60 °C for 60 min. For each operational condition, the extraction curves were constructed relating cumulative mass of oil extracted in function of the operational time. The better efficiencies were found at 40 °C and 200 bar (1.33%) followed by 80 °C and 200 bar (2.56%). Gas chromatography and NMR analysis could identify an insecticide component (BITC) that enables new applications of this residue in pharmaceutical and chemical industries.

Construção de um software protótipo para auxílio na terapia do paciente ortopédico em uso de anticoagulante / Developing a prototype software to aid the therapy of an orthopedic patient using anticoagulant drugs / Desarrollo de un software prototipo para ayudar a la terapia del paciente ortopédico en uso de anticoagulantes

Objetivo: descrever as etapas de desenvolvimento de um protótipo que sirva como base para a futura construção de um software que possibilite aos profissionais da saúde, no âmbito hospitalar, prestar assistência com vistas à segurança do paciente ortopédico em uso de medicamento anticoagulante. Método: este estudo se fundamentou no conceito do ciclo de vida de prototipação em suas fases iniciais de planejamento e definição dos requisitos necessários para a futura construção de um software. Resultados: o uso da ferramenta Microsoft Access® para a construção do instrumento apresentou, como resultado parcial, quatro páginas, inicialmente, referentes ao registro e à terapêutica propostos para utilização do enfermeiro e do médico no tratamento com anticoagulante do paciente admitido na clínica de ortopedia. Conclusão: a avaliação desse recurso como base para construção de um software será objeto de estudo posterior.(AU)

Objective: to describe the development stages of a prototype that serves as a basis for future construction of software that enables health care professionals, within hospitals, to provide assistance with a view to the safety of orthopedic patients using anticoagulant medication. Method: this study was based on the concept of prototyping lifecycle in its early stages of planning and definition of requirements for future construction of software. Results: using the Microsoft Access® tool for constructing the instrument had, as a partial outcome, four pages, initially, related to the registration and treatment proposed to be used by the nurse and the physician when providing a patient admitted to the orthopedic clinic with anticoagulant drug treatment. Conclusion: the evaluation of this resource as a basis for developing software will be conducted in further studies.(AU)

Objetivo: describir las etapas de desarrollo de un prototipo que sirva como base para la futura construcción de un software que posibilite a los profesionales de la salud, dentro de los hospitales, prestar asistencia con miras a la seguridad del paciente ortopédico utilizando medicación anticoagulante. Método: este estudio se basó en el concepto del ciclo de vida de prototipos en sus primeras etapas de planificación y definición de requisitos para la futura construcción de un software. Resultados: el uso de la herramienta Microsoft Access® para construir el instrumento presentó, como un resultado parcial, cuatro páginas, inicialmente, para el registro y el tratamiento propuestos para uso del enfermero y del médico para atención con anticoagulante de un paciente ingresado en la clínica ortopédica. Conclusión: la evaluación de este recurso como base para el desarrollo de un software se llevará a cabo en un estudio posterior.(AU)

Quantification of trace O-containing compounds in GTL process samples via Fischer-Tropsch reaction by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-TOFMS) was successfully applied to eight real Brazilian Fischer-Tropsch (FT) product samples for the quantitative analysis of O-containing compounds. It not only allowed identifying and quantifying simultaneously a large number of O-containing compounds but also resolved many co-eluting components, such as carboxylic acids, which co-elute in one-dimensional gas chromatography. The homologous series of alcohols and carboxylic acids as trimethylsilyl derivatives were detected and identified at trace levels. The absolute quantification of each compound was accomplished with reliability using analytical curves. Linear alcohols (from C5 to C19), branched alcohols (C6-C13) and carboxylic acids (C4 to C12) were obtained in the range of 1.58 mg g(-1) to 14.75 mg g(-1), 0.51 mg g(-1) to 1.12 mg g(-1) and 0.21 mg g(-1) to 1.63 mg g(-1) of FT product samples, respectively. GC×GC-TOFMS provided a linear range (from 0.3 ng µL(-1) to 10 ng µL(-1)), good precision (<8%), and excellent accuracy (recovery range of 77% to 118%) for quantification of individual O-containing compounds in FT product samples. The results can benefit the development of gas-to-liquid technologies from natural gas and guide the choice of an FT conversion process that generates clean products with higher added value.

Assessment of total hip arthroplasty as a predisposing factor for ischiofemoral impingement.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of total hip arthroplasty (THA) on ischiofemoral (IF) and quadratus femoris (QF) spaces with the hypothesis that THA does not affect ischiofemoral relationships. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was IRB approved and complied with HIPAA guidelines. We identified consecutive MR examinations (pelvis and/or hip) obtained at our institution in adults (≥18 years old) screened for THA-related complications. Native hips from the same individuals served as controls. We collected medical record data including age, gender, surgical history, and THA designs. Two radiologists independently measured the IF-RAD and IF-MRI (IF space on radiographs and MR imaging, respectively) and QF space (on MR imaging). Groups were compared using ANCOVA controlled for gender. RESULTS: The study group comprised 250 hips (132 subjects; 162 post-THA and 88 native hips). Subjects were aged 59 ± 10 years, with 66 males and 66 females. Comparison of IF-MRI and QF spaces between native and post-THA hips showed no differences (P > 0.12) and IF-RAD was higher in post-THA subjects (P = 0.01). No differences in the IF-MRI and QF spaces were present between native hips and different THA designs (P > 0.4). IF-RAD of metal-on-metal THA was higher than that of native hips (P = 0.01) and trended higher than ceramic-on-polyethylene THA (P = 0.08), with the remaining comparisons showing no significant differences (P > 0.4). CONCLUSIONS: Radiographic- and MRI-based measures in patients with standard THA do not show narrowing of IF and QF spaces.

Pelvic morphology in ischiofemoral impingement.

OBJECTIVE: To assess MRI measures to quantify pelvic morphology that may predispose to ischiofemoral impingement (IFI). We hypothesized that patients with IFI have a wider interischial distance and an increased femoral neck angle compared with normal controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was IRB-approved and complied with HIPAA guidelines. IFI was diagnosed based on clinical findings (hip or buttock pain) and ipsilateral edema of the quadratus femoris muscle on MRI. Control subjects did not report isolated hip/buttock pain and underwent MRI for surveillance of neoplasms or to exclude pelvic fractures. Two MSK radiologists measured the ischiofemoral (IF) and quadratus femoris (QF) distance, the ischial angle as a measure of inter-ischial distance, and the femoral neck angle. The quadratus femoris muscle was evaluated for edema. Groups were compared using ANOVA. Multivariate standard least-squares regression modeling was used to control for age and gender. RESULTS: The study group comprised 84 patients with IFI (53 ± 16 years, 73 female, 11 male) and 51 controls (52 ± 16 years, 33 female, 18 male). Thirteen out of 84 patients (15%) had bilateral IFI. Patients with IFI had decreased IF and QF distance (p < 0.0001), increased ischial angle (p = 0.004), and increased femoral neck angle (p = 0.02) compared with controls, independent of age and gender. CONCLUSION: Patients with IFI have increased ischial and femoral neck angles compared with controls. These anatomical variations in pelvic morphology may predispose to IFI. MRI is a useful method of not only assessing the osseous and soft-tissue abnormalities associated with IFI, but also of quantifying anatomical variations in pelvic morphology that can predispose to IFI.

Effects of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery on visceral and subcutaneous fat density by computed tomography.

We aimed to test the hypothesis that noninvasive fat density by computed tomography (CT) increases after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and correlates with improved cardiometabolic risk. We examined 21 obese adults before and 12 months after RYGB and 16 obese nonsurgical controls followed for 12 months. Visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) density increased after RYGB (P < 0.0001) while remaining stable in controls (P ≥ 0.1). In RYGB subjects, 12-month increase in VAT density correlated with decreased C-reactive protein (CRP) independent of change in VAT area or BMI (both P < 0.05). Twelve-month increase in SAT density correlated with increased HDL cholesterol independent of change in SAT area (P = 0.048), BMI (P = 0.03), or statin use (P = 0.002), and 1 unit increase in SAT density had increased odds of higher total abdominal fat loss (P = 0.002).

Visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue FDG uptake by PET/CT in metabolically healthy obese subjects.

OBJECTIVE: To measure FDG uptake in visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous (SAT) adipose tissue of metabolically healthy obese (MHO) and metabolically abnormal obese (MAO) compared to metabolically healthy lean (MHL) subjects. Given that MHO has increased metabolic risk, it was hypothesized that MHO and MAO display similar VAT FDG uptake. METHODS: The 18F-FDG-PET/CT studies of 141 adults (n = 60 MHL, n = 20 MHO, n = 61 MAO) were examined to determine VAT and SAT volumes and FDG uptake. Data on CVD risk factors (BMI, abdominal circumference, blood pressure, serum lipids, and fasting plasma glucose) were collected. RESULTS: MHO and MAO had similar VAT FDG uptake (P = 0.74), both significantly lower than MHL (P < 0.01) independent of age and gender. SAT FDG uptake was similar across all groups (P > 0.2) independent of age and gender. In all groups, VAT FDG uptake was higher than SAT (P < 0.0001). In separate sub-analyses of obese groups, VAT FDG uptake was more broadly negatively associated with whole-body adiposity than SAT FDG uptake, and FDG uptake in abdominal adipose depots was positively associated with liver density (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: FDG uptake in VAT of MHO is similar to MAO and lower than MHL, suggesting these subjects may present similar VAT dysfunction.

Compartmental neck fat accumulation and its relation to cardiovascular risk and metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Neck circumference is a predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. However, detailed assessment of neck fat has not been explored, and the contribution from individual neck fat compartments to CVD risk is unknown. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to measure neck adipose tissue (NAT) compartments and examine relations with CVD risk markers, with the hypothesis that neck adipose tissue (NAT) accumulation preferentially involves specific compartments that contribute differently to metabolic risk. DESIGN: We retrospectively studied 303 subjects with successfully treated malignancies or benign etiologies [151 women, 152 men; mean (± SD) age: 55 ± 17 y; mean body mass index (BMI; in kg/m(2)): 28 ± 6] who underwent whole-body positron emission tomography/computed tomography. NAT was measured at the level of the C5 vertebral body, subdivided into posterior (NATpost), subcutaneous (NATsc), and perivertebral (NATperivert) compartments. Data on CVD risk factors (BMI, abdominal circumference, visceral and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue, blood pressure, serum lipids, and fasting plasma glucose) were collected. We compared NAT compartments across lean, overweight, and obese groups and performed multivariate regression models correlating NAT with CVD risk factors. Receiver operating characteristic curve and prevalence ratio analyses were performed to examine the association of NAT compartments with metabolic syndrome. RESULTS: NATpost and NATsc were more consistently associated with cardiometabolic risk, especially in women, correlating with visceral adipose tissue (P < 0.0001) and triglycerides (P < 0.001) and a nearly 1.5-fold increase in the prevalence ratio for metabolic syndrome after adjustment for age and BMI (P < 0.05). NATsc was most abundant in women, whereas intermuscular compartments (NATpost and NATperivert) were higher in men. In both sexes, NATpost and NATperivert showed the largest increment between lean and obese subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Neck fat compartments expand differently with increasing adiposity, correlate with CVD risk factors, and are associated with metabolic syndrome, most notably NATpost and NATsc in women. Although neck circumference remains an important method to assess metabolic risk, cross-sectional NAT assessment provides further insight into fat accumulation in the neck. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02205021.

PM2.5-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in an area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil impacted by emissions of light-duty vehicles fueled by ethanol-blended gasoline.

The aim of this study was to characterize the PM2.5-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations and their diagnostic ratios in an area impacted by light-duty vehicles fueled by neat ethanol and ethanol-blended gasoline. Samples were collected using a high-volume sampler, extracted, and analyzed for all 16 EPA-priority PAHs using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) following the EPA 3550B Method. The most abundant PAHs were benzo[g,h,i]perylene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene and indeno[1,2,3-c,d]pyrene. The total mean concentration was 3.80 ± 2.88 ng m(-3), and the contribution of carcinogenic species was 58 ± 16 % of the total PAHs. The cumulative health hazard from the PAH mixture was determined, and the carcinogenic equivalents and mutagenic equivalents were 0.80 ± 0.82 and 1.17 ± 1.04 ng m(-3), respectively. Diagnostic ratios and normalized ratios were calculated for the individual samples.