Diclofenac Removal by Alkylammonium Clay Minerals Prepared over Microwave Heating.

Diclofenac is an emerging contaminant widely detected in water and has had adverse effects on the biota. In this study, the adsorbents were prepared by reacting tetradecyl-(C), hexadecyl-(C), and octadecyltrimethylammonium (C) bromides with sodium vermiculite (Na-Ver) and used for the removal of the first time for diclofenac sodium from aqueous solution. Synthesis was carried out in a microwave-assisted reactor operating at 50 °C for 5 min, using proportions of organic salts in 100 and 200% of the phyllosilicate cation exchange capacity.

Audiological findings of family farmers exposed to pesticides.

Purpose: To analyze the possible differences among the hearing of farmers and their families when compared to the population not exposed to pesticides.

Methods: Cross-sectional study with 70 smallholder family farmers (research group), with the mean age of 39.7 years, of both sexes and a mean of 23.

Adverse effects of pesticides on central auditory functions in tobacco growers.

Objective: To investigate the effects of exposure to pesticides on the central auditory functions (CAF) of Brazilian tobacco growers.

Design: This was a cross-sectional study carried out between 2010 and 2012. Participants were evaluated with two behavioural procedures to investigate CAF, the random gap detection test (RGDT) and the dichotic digit test in Portuguese (DDT).

Audiological evaluation in spinocerebellar ataxia.

Purpose: To describe the audiological and electrophysiological results in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA).

Methods: Retrospective and cross-sectional studies were performed. Forty-three patients were assessed using the following procedures: anamnesis and otolaryngologic exam, pure tone audiometry, acoustic immittance measures and brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP).

Evoked otoacoustic emissions in workers exposed to noise: A review.

Introduction:  The otoacoustic emissions test is an essential tool in the evaluation of auditory function, since it allows the early detection of cochlear damage of occupational origin.

Objective:  To present a review of the literature and analyze the effectiveness of the clinical application of the otoacoustic emissions test in workers exposed to noise.

Methods:  A bibliographical search covering a period of 10 years was performed in the Virtual Health Library including published articles in national and international journals indexed in the internationally recognized databases for the health sciences, LILACS, SCIELO, and MEDLINE, using the terms "otoacoustic emissions" and "occupational exposure.