The monitoring of phthalate esters (PAEs) is challenging due to background contamination as well as the low selectivity observed when analyzing them by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) using electron ionization (EI). In this sense, alternative and soft ionization techniques could help to enhance the performance of the analytical determinations of PAEs in food samples. In this work, the use of a novel and soft ionization technique tube plasma ionization (TPI) has been explored to enhance the selectivity and sensitivity in the determination of PAEs in drinking water samples with GC-MS.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction Virologic failure due to antiretroviral drug resistance is a threat to efforts to control the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic. Understanding the factors that influence the genetic and clinical expression of drug resistance is fundamental for infection control. Methods A nested case-control study was conducted on a cohort of adult HIV patients between 2016 and 2022.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPomegranate ( L.) peel is a potential source of bioactive phenolic compounds such as ellagic acid and α- and β-punicalagin. This work explores the efficiency of natural deep eutectic solvents combined with ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) for their extraction.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThermotolerant Campylobacter is an important zoonotic pathogen known for causing gastroenteritis in humans, with poultry as its primary reservoir. A total of 468 samples were collected, of which 335 were chicken carcass samples (representing the food component), and 133 were chicken caeca samples (representing the animal component). These samples underwent culture, with colonies examined under a microscope.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOropharyngeal Dysphagia (OD) increases the risk of hospitalization and the use of health services; however, it is often detected and studied in institutionalized patients with limited attention given to the community. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of OD and its associated factors after conducting a program consisting of a systematic assessment of OD for in patients living independently in their dwellings and requiring home-based care. We conducted a cross-sectional study involving a systematic assessment of disabled and elderly patients enrolled in a home-based primary care program at three urban centers (Barcelona, Spain).
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