Abundance of Leishmania (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) vectors in Baldim, a municipality in the Espinhaço Range Biosphere Reserve in Brazil.

Leishmaniasis is a zoonoses caused by protozoan parasites belonging to the Leishmania genus that is transmitted to humans through the bite of previously infected phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera:Psychodidae:Phlebotominae). In Brazil, 2 types of leishmaniasis are endemic, tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL). In Baldim, a municipality in the Espinhaço Range Biospere Reserve (ERBR), 5 autochthonous cases of TL, and one autochthonous case of VL were reported from 2017 to 2022. Owing to the lack of data on entomological fauna, we surveyed the occurrence and distribution of phlebotomine sandflies that could act as Leishmania vectors, as well as natural Leishmania infection. During 1 year, 918 sandfly specimens belonging to 12 species were collected. The predominant species was Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) (32.0%), a proven VL agent, followed by Evandromyia evandroi (Costa Lima & Antunes, 1936) (20.7%), Evandromyia cortelezzii (Brèthes, 1923) (17.0%), Nyssomyia whitmani (Antunes & Coutinho, 1939) (12.2%), and Nyssomyia intermedia (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) (10.5%), all putative or proven TL agents. Seasonal fluctuations and endo-exophilic behavior were delineated for the main phlebotomine sandflies. The population of Lu. longipalpis was higher during the coolest and driest months, although different profiles were noted for the other species. Natural Leishmania infection was not detected in any of the 197 phlebotomine sandfly females analyzed. The results were compared with those previously obtained in other municipalities belonging to the ERBR. The presence of Leishmania vectors and human cases of leishmaniasis indicate a risk of Leishmania transmission in the region.

Integrated analysis of marine biotoxins and contaminants of emerging concern in bivalve mollusks from Santa Catarina, Brazil.

Santa Catarina is the main producer state of oysters and mussels in Brazil, reaching 98 % of national production. To assure the safety of bivalve mollusks production, control programs of marine biotoxins (MBs) have been continuously performed. Herein, the co-occurrence of MBs and contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in oyster and mussels from the main production sites of Santa Catarina was reported, covering 178 compounds. Samples of wild and non-cultivated oysters and mussels were also assessed. Chemometric tools were used to evaluate and optimize several sample preparation techniques such as solid-liquid, ultrasound assisted, and pressurized liquid extraction. The optimized protocol was based on ultrasound assisted extraction followed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. The results showed the incidence of several CECs and MBs. In the case of MBs, all results were below the regulatory limits for both cultivated and non-cultivated samples. Wild mollusks have shown a higher number of compounds. Regarding CECs, the more frequent compounds were caffeine, diclofenac, meloxicam, and sertraline. Domoic acid and okadaic acid were the main toxins detected. The results highlighted the need of monitoring for MBs and the potential of oyster and mussels as sentinel organisms to risk analysis of CECs in coastal regions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first method to describe a simultaneous sample preparation and analysis of CECs and MBs in bivalve mollusks, as well as the first report of meloxicam and florfenicol in mussels and oysters.

Dataset about Southern-Brazilian geopropolis: Physical and chemical perspectives.

The dataset showed in this manuscript belongs to the investigation of the Southern-Brazilian geopropolis of stingless bees. Stingless bees are native species of insects from tropical areas; they produce honey, pollen and geopropolis that is composed of a mix of vegetal extracts, digestive enzymes, and mostly by soil. Used in folk medicine as antiseptic, antioxidant and antimicrobial agent, the composition is due to bee species, climate changes, local flora, and soil type. Moreover, the complex chemical content gives to the geopropolis a bioactive potential, with scavenging characteristics that is important to avoid free radical damages in the human health. Regarding the importance of exploring new natural matrices sources with bioactive potential, the first approach of chemical characterization of geopropolis is indispensable. Thus, ten samples of Southern-Brazilian geopropolis were analyzed and the bioactive responses obtained were discussed in the accompanying article titled "Southern-Brazilian geopropolis: A potential source of polyphenolic compounds and assessment of mineral composition". Furthermore, the physicochemical analysis of moisture and ash content, the yield of extraction, the reducing activity and free radical scavenging potential of ethanolic extracts, the antimicrobial activity, and the analysis of HPLC-ESI-MS/MS chromatograms are the main data presented in brief. The data can guide scientists in order to know methods and data for these samples.

Simplex-centroid design and Derringer's desirability function approach for simultaneous separation of phenolic compounds from Mimosa scabrella Bentham honeydew honeys by HPLC/DAD.

Honeydew honeys have been under-evaluated about their major phenolic compounds, especially Mimosa scabrella Bentham (bracatinga) honeydew honey. In this work, a fast and robust chromatographic method was optimized for simultaneous separation and quantification by HPLC/DAD of 18 phenolic compounds detected in bracatinga honeydew honey. A simplex-centroid design, central composite rotatable design and response surface-desirability function simultaneous optimization of Derringer and Suich were used, evaluating the mobile phase composition, flow rate and oven temperature to separate all the peaks. These multivariate procedures were efficient in determining the optimal separation conditions, using peak pair resolutions and run time as responses. The 18 peaks were separated in 25 min and the mobile phase gradient started with 1.6% MeOH, 3.3% ACN, 1.0% THF and 94.1% formic acid 0.1% changing to 10.0% MeOH, 33.3% ACN, 6.0% THF and 50.7% formic acid 0.1%, oven temperature of 33 °C and flow rate of 0.73 mL min-1. The method was validated according to Eurachem guidelines and considered accurate and robust. It was applied to 18 bracatinga honeydew honey samples in which 9 phenolic compounds were identified and quantified.

Ângulo de fase e indicadores de risco do (e indicadores de riesgo del) estado nutricional em pacientes pré-cirúrgicos / The phase angle and indicators of risk and nutritional status in pre-surgical patients

Introduction: Malnutrition is an important risk factor for postoperative complications and the phase angle (PA) marker, since it is interpreted as an indicator of membrane integrity and as a predictor of body cell mass. It has been described as a useful parameter to identify malnutrition. Objective: To verify the association between PA and indicators of risk screening and assessment of nutritional status in pre-surgical patients. Methods: Observational study performed in the period from May to December 2014 in a university hospital in the Northeast of Brazil, including 83 patients in the preoperative period. We studied demographic, clinical, anthropometric variables (body mass index (BMI), arm circumference (AC)), Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS, 2002), and PA through bioelectrical impedance. Results: The mean age was 51.3 ± 14.9 years, predominantly female (73.5%). There was a predominance of oncological surgeries (53%). A prevalence of 27.7% of low PA, 30.1% of nutritional risk and 27.7% of malnutrition was observed, according to AC. A positive correlation with the other parameters (BMI and AC) was observed in relation to age (r = -0.421; p <0.001) and nutritional screening (r = -0.216; p = 0.049). Conclusion: FA showed moderate correlation with anthropometric and nutritional risk parameters, suggesting caution in the isolated adoption of this parameter as a diagnostic method and nutritional risk indicator in surgical patients.

Introdução: A desnutrição é um fator de risco (La desnutrición es un factor de riesgo) importante de complicações pós-operatórias e o ângulo de fase (AF), por ser interpretado (y el ángulo de fase, al ser interpretado) como indicador de integridade de membrana e preditor de massa celular corporal, tem sido descrito como um (se describe como un) parâmetro útil para identificar a desnutrição. Objetivo: Verificar a associação entre o AFe indicadores de triagem de risco e de avaliação do (de clasificación del riesgo y de evaluación del) estado nutricional em pacientes pré-cirúrgicos. Métodos: Estudo observacional realizado no período de maio a dezembro/2014 em hospital universitário localizado no Nordeste brasileiro, envolvendo 83 pacientes no período (incluyendo 83 pacientes en el período) pré-operatório. Foram estudadas variáveis (Se estudiaron variables) demográficas, clínicas, antropométricas (índice de massa corporal (IMC), circunferência do braço (del brazo) (CB), triagem de risco nutricional através da Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS, 2002), e o AF através da impedância bioelétrica. Resultados: A média de idade foi (La media de edad fue de) 51.3 ± 14.9 anos, predominando o sexo feminino (73.5%). Verificou-se predomínio das cirurgias oncológicas (53%). Foi observada prevalência de 27.7% de baixo (de bajo) AF, 30.1% de risco nutricional 27.7% de desnutrição, segundo a (según la) CB. Foi observada uma correlação inversa do AF com a idade (Se observó una correlación inversa del AF en relación con la edad) (r =-0.421; p < 0.001), e triagem nutricional (r = -0.216; p = 0.049), e correlação positiva com os demais (con los otros) parâmetros (IMC e CB). Conclusão: O AF mostrou correlação moderada com os parâmetros antropométricos e de risco nutricional, sugerindo cautela na adoção isolada desse (y de riesgo nutricional, lo que sugiere cautela en la adopción aislada de este) parâmetro como método diagnóstico e indicador de risco nutricional em pacientes cirúrgicos.

Sarcopenia en pacientes ancianos atendidos ambulatoriamente: prevalencia y factores asociados.

Introducción: la sarcopenia se define como un síndrome geriátrico, multifactorial, caracterizado por la pérdida progresiva de masa muscular esquelética, asociada a consecuencias graves, tales como comorbideces, mala calidad de vida y mortandad. Objetivo: identificar la prevalencia y los factores asociados a la sarcopenia en ancianos atendidos ambulatoriamente. Métodos: estudio transversal y observacional realizado con pacientes ancianos de ambos sexos atendidos en ambulatorio geriátrico, entre junio y diciembre de 2014, en un hospital universitario ubicado en el nordeste brasileño. Se determinó la sarcopenia a través de la masa muscular (circunferencia de la pantorrilla < 31 cm), fuerza muscular (evaluada por la fuerza de prensión palmar < 30 kg para hombres y < 20 kg para mujeres) y velocidad de marcha (< 0,8 metros/segundo). Entre las variables de asociación, se consideraron aspectos socioeconómicos y demográficos, variables clínicas, estilo de vida y antropometría. La tabulación y análisis de los datos se realizaron por medio del paquete estadístico SPSS versión 13.0. Resultados: la muestra se compuso de 50 pacientes, con promedio de edad de 73,9 (± 7,4) años, en la que se verificó una prevalencia de sarcopenia del 18%. La sarcopenia fue más prevalente en individuos con edad ≥ 80 años (p = 0,012), en los ancianos con bajo peso según el IMC (p < 0,001), con desnutrición de acuerdo con la CB (p = 0,004) y en los pacientes sin hipertensión arterial (p = 0,027), no encontrándose asociación con variables socioeconómicas, clínicas y del estilo de vida. Conclusiones: la prevalencia de la sarcopenia fue significativa y semejante a la descrita por otros autores, encontrándose asociación con la edad avanzada, desnutrición y ausencia de hipertensión.

Juçara fruit (Euterpe edulis Mart.): Sustainable exploitation of a source of bioactive compounds.

Juçara (Euterpe edulis Martius) is a palm tree widely distributed in the Atlantic Forest, which produces round fruits that recently gained worldwide attention, mainly for its resemblance to fruits of Euterpe oleracea and Euterpe precatoria Martius used to produce açaí. Juçara fruits stand out for their high nutritional value, which contain different kinds of nutrients, including fatty acids, protein, fibers, minerals and vitamins, and bioactive compounds such as anthocyanins, non-anthocyanin flavonoids and phenolic acids, which are associated with potent biological activities. The main objective of this work is to present the available compositional data regarding juçara fruits to produce a comprehensive source of recent information on important chemical constituents and the potential health benefits of these fruits in reference to the species E. oleracea and E. precatoria. In addition, information on botanical aspects, production chain and markets are presented.

A Rapid Method for Analysis of Phenylalanine in Cereal Products by MEKC-UV Using LC/MS/MS as a Comparative Method.

The aim of this study was to develop a new and fast micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) method for the determination of phenylalanine in cereal samples. The background electrolyte was chosen by a factorial design and was composed of 30 mmol/L phosphoric acid, 100 mmol/L sodium dodecyl sulfate, and 25% methanol (v/v) at pH 1.9. A fused silica capillary (48.5 cm total length×8.5 cm effective length×50 µm id×375 µm od) was used in a short-end injection configuration, and direct UV detection was at 200 nm. The method was validated following the Eurachem guidelines, and values such as linearity (from 10.1 to 40.4 mg/L); recovery (86.8-103.9%); repeatability (0.06-0.22% for migration time and 1.14-4.82% for peak area); reproducibility (0.04-0.61% for migration time and 2.22-5.72% for peak area); and LOD and LOQ of 20 and 60 mg/100 g, respectively, were obtained. After the comparison involving selectivity and accuracy between capillary electrophoresis and LC/MS/MS method, the MEKC-UV method was successfully applied to analysis of phenylalanine in different cereal products.

[PRESSURE ULCER: INCIDENCE AND DEMOGRAPHIC, CLINICAL AND NUTRITION FACTORS ASSOCIATED IN INTENSIVE CARE UNIT PATIENTS]. / ÚLCERA POR PRESIÓN: INCIDENCIA Y FACTORES DEMOGRÁFICOS, CLÍNICOS Y NUTRICIONALES ASOCIADOS EN PACIENTES DE UNA UNIDAD DE CUIDADOS INTENSIVOS.

UNLABELLED: Pressure ulcer (PU) is a lesion in the skin and/or underlying tissue, usually over bony prominences caused by pressure and / or shear associated. Although preventable, is still very prevalent, and pointed out that multiple factors are involved in its etiology. OBJECTIVE: to identify the incidence of pressure ulcers, clinical and nutritional factors associated in patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unity (ICU) of a university hospital. METHODS: a prospective, observational study, with patients admitted to an ICU from June to November 2014. The UP was determined by inspection body three times a week during the morning bath, based on the characteristics established by the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, 2014. We collected demographic, clinical, biochemical and nutritional. The Braden Scale was used to verify individuals at risk of PU development. RESULTS: the sample consisted of 51 patients with a mean age of 57.7 (± 16.4) years. There was an incidence of UP 52.9%, and the factors associated with its development were: use of vasoactive drugs (p = 0.029), length of hospital stay > 10 days (p ≤ 0.001) and absence of anemia (p = 0.011). CONCLUSION: the high incidence of UP highlights the vulnerability of patients in intensive care. Although characterized by being a multifactorial condition only the use of vasoactive drugs, length of hospital stay and the absence of anemia were associated with the appearance of refs. Nutritional and clinical factors often related to trauma were not associated with their development.

La úlcera por presión (UP) es una lesión localizada en la piel y/o tejido subyacente, generalmente sobre prominencias óseas, provocada por la presión y/o asociada a cizallamiento. Aunque evitable, todavía es muy prevalente, siendo destacable que en su etiología están involucrados múltiples factores. Objetivo: identificar la incidencia de úlceras por presión y los factores demográficos, clínicos y nutricionales asociados en pacientes internados en la UCI de un hospital universitario. Métodos: estudio prospectivo, observacional, con pacientes internados en una UCI de un hospital universitario ubicado en el nordeste brasileño, durante el periodo de junio a noviembre de 2014. Se determinó la UP a través de la inspección corporal tres veces a la semana durante el baño matinal, con base en las características establecidas por la National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, 2014. Se recolectaron datos demográficos, clínicos, bioquímicos y nutricionales. Se utilizó la escala de Braden para verificar a los individuos con riesgo de desarrollo de UP. Resultados: la muestra se compuso de 51 pacientes, con un promedio de edad de 57,7(± 16,4) años. Se verificó una incidencia de UP del 52,9%, y los factores asociados a su desarrollo fueron: uso de droga vasoactiva (p = 0,029), tiempo de hospitalización > 10 días (p ≤ 0,001) y ausencia de anemia (p = 0,011). Conclusión: la elevada incidencia de UP resalta la vulnerabilidad de los pacientes en cuidados intensivos. A pesar de caracterizarse por ser una condición multifactorial, solo el uso de drogas vasoactivas, el tiempo de hospitalización y la ausencia de anemia se asociaron a la aparición de UP. Factores nutricionales y clínicos frecuentemente relacionados a las lesiones se asociaron con su desarrollo.

Simultaneous determination of free and total glycerol in biodiesel by capillary electrophoresis using multiple short-end injection.

A rapid method for the simultaneous determination of free glycerol (FG) and total glycerol (TG) in biodiesel by CE using a short-end multiple injection (SE/MI) configuration system is described. The sample preparation for FG involves the extraction of glycerol with water and for TG a saponification reaction is carried out followed by extraction as in the case of FG. The glycerol extracted in both cases is submitted to periodate oxidation and the iodate ions formed are measured on a CE-SE/MI system. The relevance of this study lies in the fact that no analytical procedure has been previously reported for the determination of TG (or of FG and TG simultaneously) by CE. The optimum conditions for the saponification/extraction process were 1.25% KOH and 25°C, with a time of only 5 min, and biodiesel mass in the range of 50.0-200.0 mg can be used. Multiple injections were performed hydrodynamically with negative pressure as follows: 50 mbar/3s (FG sample); 50 mbar/6s (electrolyte spacer); 50 mbar/3s (TG sample). The linear range obtained was 1.55-46.5 mg/L with R(2) > 0.99. The LOD and LOQ were 0.16 mg/L and 0.47 mg/L, respectively for TG. The method provides acceptable throughput for application in quality control and monitoring biodiesel synthesis process. In addition, it offers simple sample preparation (saponification process), it can be applied to a variety biodiesel samples (soybean, castor, and waste cooking oils) and it can be used for the determination of two key parameters related to the biodiesel quality with a fast separation (less than 30 s) using an optimized CE-SE/MI system.

Method development and validation for isoflavones in soy germ pharmaceutical capsules using micellar electrokinetic chromatography.

The separation of six soy isoflavones (Glycitein, Daidzein, Genistein, Daidzin, Glycitin and Genistin) was approached by a 3(2) factorial design studying MEKC electrolyte components at the following levels: methanol (MeOH; 0-10%) and sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS; 20-70 mmol L(-1)); sodium tetraborate buffer (STB) concentration was kept constant at 10 mmol L(-1). Nine experiments were performed and the apparent mobility of each isoflavone was computed as a function of the electrolyte composition. A novel response function (RF) was formulated based on the production of the mobility differences, mobility of the first and last eluting peaks and the electrolyte conductance. The inspection of the response surface indicated an optimum electrolyte composition as 10 mmol L(-1) STB (pH 9.3) containing 40 mmol L(-1) SDS and 1% MeOH promoting baseline separation of all isoflavones in less than 7.5 min. The proposed method was applied to the determination of total isoflavones in soy germ capsules from four different pharmaceutical laboratories. A 2h extraction procedure with 80% (v/v) MeOH under vortexing at room temperature was employed. Peak assignment of unknown isoflavones in certain samples was assisted by hydrolysis procedures, migration behavior and UV spectra comparison. Three malonyl isoflavone derivatives were tentatively assigned. A few figures of merit for the proposed method include: repeatability (n=6) better than 0.30% CV (migration time) and 1.7% CV (peak area); intermediate precision (n=18) better than 6.2% CV (concentration); recoveries at two concentration levels, 20 and 50 microg mL(-1), varied from 99.1 to 103.6%. Furthermore, the proposed method exhibited linearity in the concentration range of 1.6-50 microg mL(-1) (r(2)>0.9999) with LOQ varying from 0.67 to 1.2 microg mL(-1). The capsules purity varied from 93.3 to 97.6%.