Application of dispersive solid phase extraction for trace analysis of toxic chemicals in foods.

The objectives of this study were to develop and validate a method for the identification of toxic organic chemicals, including groups of controlled substances, alkaloids and pesticides that are highly toxic and considered threats to public health. This project aims to ensure our laboratory's readiness to respond to emergencies involving our food supply in cooperation with the Food Emergency Response Network (FERN) program. The food matrices were homogenized in a blender or food processor prior to extraction with an acetonitrile-water mixture using a QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) procedure. The extracts were then analyzed by either gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) or liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI/MS/MS). Method validation was performed on a variety of food matrices including lettuce, grapes, milk, chicken, pork and beef. MDLs for the toxic compounds ranged from 0.01 to 0.66 mg/kg (ppm). The findings in this study will provide a valuable resource for the determination of toxic chemicals in food matrices for emergency response situations.

[The challenge of tobacco control at a university hospital]. / O dasafio de controlar o tabagismo em um hospital universitário.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the actions taken by the Commission of Tobacco Control (CTC) to control smoking in the hospital environment. METHODS: Descriptive and exploratory retrospective documentary research conducted at a university hospital in southern Brazil, in 2014. The content of the minutes of CTC meetings was used to create a database, and the rounds reports were descriptively analyzed. We sought to identify the most relevant actions from 2005 to 2014. RESULTS: The CTC implemented the Tobacco-Free Environment programme restricted cigarette smoking to designated areas and subsequently deactivated these areas. The only remaining outdoor smoking area in 2014 was deactivated. CONCLUSION: CTC actions have contributed to tobacco control in the hospital environment. This study will hopefully serve as a model to encourage other institutions to implement similar actions.

The challenge of tobacco control at a university hospital / El reto de la lucha contra el tabaco en un hospital universitário / O desafio de controlar o tabagismo em um hospital universitário

Objective: To identify the actions taken by the Commission of Tobacco Control (CTC) to control smoking in the hospital environment.Methods: Descriptive and exploratory retrospective documentary research conducted at a university hospital in southern Brazil, in 2014. The content of the minutes of CTC meetings was used to create a database, and the rounds reports were descriptively analyzed. We sought to identify the most relevant actions from 2005 to 2014.Results: The CTC implemented the Tobacco-Free Environment programme restricted cigarette smoking to designated areas and subsequently deactivated these areas. The only remaining outdoor smoking area in 2014 was deactivated.Conclusion: CTC actions have contributed to tobacco control in the hospital environment. This study will hopefully serve as a model to encourage other institutions to implement similar actions.

Objetivo: Identificar las medidas adoptadas por la Comisión de Control del Tabaco (CCT) para controlar el tabaquismo del entorno hospitalario.Métodos: Investigación documental retrospectiva descriptiva y exploratoria, realizada en hospital universitario en el sur de Brasil, en 2014. Construyó una base de datos con el contenido de las actas de las reuniones del CCT y la notificación de las rondas realizadas, que se analizó descriptivamente. Se buscó identificar las acciones más relevantes, en el periodo 2005-2014.Resultados: El CCT implementó el Programa de Ambiente Libre de Tabaco, restringió el consumo de cigarrillos a las instalaciones designadas, y luego los convirtió. Sólo quedaba un área externa de la tolerancia al consumo de tabaco en 2014, que fue desactivado.Conclusiones: Las acciones del CCT ayudaron a controlar el tabaquismo del hospital. Se espera que este estudio sirva de estímulo y modelo para otras instituciones.

Objetivo: Identificar as ações desenvolvidas por uma Comissão de Controle do Tabagismo (CCT) para controlar o fumo do ambiente hospitalar.Métodos: Pesquisa documental descritivo-exploratória retrospectiva, realizada em hospital universitário do sul do Brasil, em 2014. Construiu-se um banco de dados com o conteúdo das atas de reuniões da CCT e relatório das rondas realizadas, o qual foi analisado de forma descritiva. Buscou-se identificar as ações mais relevantes no período de 2005 a 2014.Resultados: A CCT implementou o Programa Ambiente Livre do Tabaco, restringiu o consumo do cigarro aos fumódromos e posteriormente desativou os mesmos. Permaneceu somente uma área externa de tolerância ao fumo até 2014, a qual foi desativada.Conclusões: As ações da CCT contribuíram para controlar o fumo do ambiente hospitalar. Espera-se que este estudo sirva de incentivo e modelo para outras instituições.