Sustainable valorization of recycled low-density polyethylene and cocoa biomass for composite production.

The development of products from wastes such as plastic and lignocellulosic materials brings great advantages from the economic and sustainable point of view. The use of waste, previously destined for disposal, enables the changes in production patterns, and prevents major environmental problems. This research investigated the inclusion of different contents of cocoa almond husk on the properties of composites with recycled low-density polyethylene (LDPE) matrix. The composites were produced by extrusion process with proportions: 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% of cocoa waste reinforcement in the polymer matrix. The density of the composites decreased (from 0.81 to 0.61 g/cm3) with the addition of the lignocellulosic waste in the matrix. The hygroscopicity was increased, however, at considerably low levels (0.17 to 2.68 %). There was a decrease in composite strength and elongation, becoming the material more rigid. The use of the cocoa waste for composites production is feasible to use since it can be adapted to the required application and still incorporate additives requested for specific purposes. This research demonstrated that is possible the combination of recycled low-density polyethylene and lignocellulosic wastes for the production of materials with high added value.

Reduction of Inflammation and Colon Injury by a Spearmint Phenolic Extract in Experimental Bowel Disease in Mice.

Background: Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) encompasses both Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, known to be connected to an enlarged risk for developing colorectal cancer (CRC). Spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) is a Mediterranean plant used as an aromatic agent, and studies have mainly focused on the essential oil suggesting an anti-inflammatory activity. This work aimed to perform a preliminary screening of the in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of a spearmint phenolic extract in an acute inflammation model, in a chronic inflammation model of colitis, and also study the effects in vitro on a colon cancer model. Methods: Spearmint extract was administered to rats of a paw oedema model (induced by carrageenan) and to mice from a TNBS-induced colitis model in parallel with studies using HT-29 CRC cells. Results: Administration of the extract led to reduced paw inflammation, reduction of colon injury and inflammation, with attenuation of histological markers, and reduction of iNOS expression. It repressed the in vitro movement of HT-29 cells in a wound healing assay. Conclusions: These findings suggest that spearmint extract exhibits acute and chronic anti-inflammatory activity and is able to inhibit migration of cancer cells, suggesting a potential role in the supplementary therapy of IBD patients.

Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction of organophosphorous pesticides using nonhalogenated solvents.

Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) combined with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was applied to the determination of five organophosphorous pesticides (OPPs) in water samples. The analytes included in this study were prophos, diazinon, chlorpyrifos methyl, fenchlorphos, and chlorpyrifos. The use of nonhalogenated solvents (cyclohexane, heptane, and octane) as extraction solvents was investigated using acetone, acetonitrile, or methanol, as dispersion solvents. The combination of less polar dispersion solvents (1-propanol and 2-propanol) and nonhalogenated extraction solvents was also studied in dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction for the first time. Several experimental conditions were tested (nature and volume of extraction solvents, nature and volume of dispersion solvents, salting-out effect) and the corresponding enrichment factors and recoveries were evaluated. The best microextraction condition was obtained using 50 µL of cyclohexane and 0.3 mL of 1-propanol. The detection and quantification limits were in the low ppt range, with values between 3.3-8.0 ng/L and 11.0-26.6 ng/L, respectively. Relative standard deviations were between 6.6 and 13.1% for a fortification level of 500 ng/L. At the same fortification level, the relative recoveries (RR) of Alvito's dam water, Judeu's river water, and well water samples were in the range of 50.3-97.1%.

Determination of organophosphorous pesticides in the ppq range using a simple solid-phase extraction method combined with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction.

Solid-phase extraction combined with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (SPE-DLLME) was applied for the extraction of six organophosphorous pesticides (OPPs) in water samples. The analytes considered in this study were determined by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry and included prophos, diazinon, chlorpyrifos methyl, methyl parathion, fenchlorphos and chlorpyrifos. Several extraction conditions (extraction solvent and elution/dispersion solvents nature, extraction solvent volume, elution solvent volume, water volume and sample volume) were tested for SPE-DLLME with these analytes and the best results were obtained using carbon tetrachloride as the extraction solvent and acetone as the elution/dispersion solvent. Calibration curves for the determination of OPPs in water samples were constructed in the concentration range of 10-100 ng/L. Limits of detection (LODs) ranged from 38 to 230 pg/L values that are below the maximum admissible level for drinking water (100 ng/L). Relative standard deviations (RSD) were between 8.6 and 10.4% for a fortification level of 100 ng/L. At the same fortification level, the relative recoveries (R.R.) of tap, well and irrigation water samples were in the range of 30.2-97.1%.

Validated dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction for analysis of organophosphorous pesticides in water.

Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) combined with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was applied to the determination of six organophosphorous pesticides (OPPs) in water samples. The analytes included in this study were prophos, diazinon, chlorpyrifos methyl, methyl parathion, fenchlorphos and chlorpyrifos. Several extraction and dispersion solvents were tested for dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction of these analytes and the best results were obtained using chloroform as extraction solvent and 2-propanol as dispersion solvent. Calibration curves of the analytes in water samples were constructed in the concentration range from 100 to 1100 ng/L for prophos, diazinon and methyl parathion and in the range from 100 to 1000 ng/L for chlorpyrifos methyl, fenchlorphos and chlorpyrifos. Limits of detection (LODs) were in the range of 1.5-9.1 ng/L and limits of quantification (LOQs) were in the range of 5.1-30.3 ng/L, below the maximum admissible level for drinking water. Relative standard deviations (RSDs) were between 6.5 and 10.1% in the concentration range of 100-1000 ng/L. The relative recoveries (%RRs) of tap, well and irrigation water samples fortified at 800 ng/L were in the range of 46.1-129.4%, with a larger matrix effect being detected in tap water.

Nós e a morte: um estudo psicológico "Sivis vitam, para mortem" / We and the dead: a psycologycal study

Partindo de um artigo inédito de Freud escrito em 1915, a autora estabelece comparaçöes em relaçäo ao comportamento humano frente a situaçöes de morte, tendo em vista suas experiências e vivências adquiridas nos campos de Enfermagem e Psicologia.

Enfermagem e segurança emocional do paciente / Nursing and patient's emotional security

Situa-se a segurança emocional como uma necessidade humana básica que se apresenta intimamente relacionada às demais necessidades do homem. É focalizado, primordialmente, o desequilíbrio da segurança emocional no paciente clínico. Säo elaborados, a conceituaçäo desta necessidade e os sinais e sintomas que podem ocorrer quando existe alteraçäo de sua satisfaçäo. Apresenta-se também aspectos da assistência de enfermagem.

Utilizando a técnica de dessensibilizaçäo no preparo do paciente psiquiátrico para a alta hospitalar / Utilizing the psychologic dissensibilization technique in the planning of the patient's discharge

Utilizaçäo da técnica psicologica da dessensibilizaçäo por alguns elementos da equipe de saúde no sentido de obter mudança de comportamento do paciente em relaçäo à alta hospitalar.

A morte do paciente e sua repercussäo em estudantes de enfermagem / The patient death and its reflection in a group of nursing students

Relata experiência sobre a influência exercida pelo paciente moribundo e a morte, em um grupo de estudantes de enfermagem e o trabalho realizado a fim de conduzi-lo a uma mudança de atitude e permitir um cuidado mais adequado das situaçöes referidas.

Participaçäo grupal na avaliaçäo de seus participantes / Group participation of fellow-member problems

Relata-se o comportamento de um grupo de estudantes de enfermagem e as respectivas atividades, face a uma situaçäo capaz de gerar angústia entre os elementos do grupo. Trata-se da reprovaçäo de um dos estudantes, situaçäo examinada em grupo e na qual ele tenta inicialmente fugir a realidade, usando mecanismos descritos por Bion (1966, 1972), adotando falsas posiçöes que säo apontadas e manejadas pela coordenadora.