Paper-based microfluidic devices on the crime scene: A simple tool for rapid estimation of post-mortem interval using vitreous humour.

This paper describes for the first time the use of paper-based analytical devices at crime scenes to estimate the post-mortem interval (PMI), based on the colorimetric determination of Fe in vitreous humour (VH) samples. Experimental parameters such as the paper substrate, the microzone diameter, the sample volume and the 1,10-phenanthroline (o-phen) concentration were optimised in order to ensure the best analytical performance. Grade 1 CHR paper, microzone with diameter of 5 mm, a sample volume of 4 μL and an o-phen concentration of 0.

Polymeric Nanoparticles of Enoxaparin as a Delivery System: In Vivo Evaluation in Normal Rats and in a Venous Thrombosis Rat Model.

Enoxaparin is an anticoagulant widely used in the treatment and prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The subcutaneous route of administration, sometimes in repeated doses during 24 hours, represents a limitation to its use. Thus, the development of a product that can be administered either subcutaneously, in a smaller number of applications becomes a major challenge, with interesting clinical applications.

Folate, vitamin B12 and Homocysteine status in the post-folic acid fortification era in different subgroups of the Brazilian population attended to at a public health care center.

Background: Folate and vitamin B12 are essential nutrients, whose deficiencies are considerable public health problems worldwide, affecting all age groups. Low levels of these vitamins have been associated with high concentrations of homocysteine (Hcy) and can lead to health complications. Several genetic polymorphisms affect the metabolism of these vitamins.

Metals and (metallo)proteins identification in vitreous humor focusing on post-mortem biochemistry.

This work describes the evaluation of metals and (metallo)proteins in vitreous humor samples and their correlations with some biological aspects in different post-mortem intervals (1-7 days), taking into account both decomposing and non-decomposing bodies. After qualitative evaluation of the samples involving 26 elements, representative metal ions (Fe, Mg and Mo) are determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry after using mini-vial decomposition system for sample preparation. A significant trend for Fe is found with post-mortem time for decomposing bodies because of a significant increase of iron concentration when comparing samples from bodies presenting 3 and 7 days post-mortem interval.

Insulin-loaded poly(epsilon-caprolactone) nanoparticles: efficient, sustained and safe insulin delivery system.

The aim of this work was to develop an efficient, biodegradable, biocompatible and safe controlled release system using insulin-loaded poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) nanoparticles. The insulin-loaded PCL nanoparticles were prepared by double emulsion method (water-in-oil-in-water) using Pluronic F68 as emulsifier. Using the double emulsion method a high insulin encapsulation efficiency (90.

Blood calcium levels in immature rats: influence of extracellular calcium concentration on myocardial calcium handling.

Calcium ions play an important role in several cell functions, from fertilization to cell death. The cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration is much lower than the extracellular concentration ([Ca(2+)](o)). The latter may markedly affect Ca(2+) fluxes across the cell membrane and thus the cellular Ca(2+) load.

Direct monitoring of drug degradation by easy ambient sonic-spray ionization mass spectrometry: the case of enalapril.

Using enalapril maleate as a test case, the ability of ambient mass spectrometry, namely, via easy ambient sonic-spray ionization mass spectrometry (EASI-MS), to perform direct monitoring of drug degradation has been tested. Two manufacturing processes were investigated (direct compression and wet granulation), and the formation of degradation products was measured via both EASI-MS and high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection for a total period of 18 months. Both techniques provide comparable results, which indicate that direct analysis by ambient mass spectrometric techniques presents a viable alternative for drug degradation monitoring with superior simplicity, throughput, and reliability (no sample manipulation), and comparable quantitative results.

Research on zinc blood levels and nutritional status in adolescents with autoimmune hepatitis.

Context: Zinc deficiency in children and adolescents impairs their growing, development and immune system.

Objectives: To verify the existence of plasma and leukocyte zinc deficiency in adolescents with autoimmune hepatitis.

Methods: The study comprised 23 patients with autoimmune hepatitis, aged 10-18 years, assisted at the Ambulatory Service of Pediatric Hepatology of the University of Campinas Teaching Hospital, Campinas, SP, Brazil, and adolescents with ages compatible with the patients' ages comprised the control group.

New substituted 4-arylaminoquinazolines as potent inhibitors of breast tumor cell lines: in vitro and docking experiments.

The arylquinazolines represent significant advances in the clinical management of breast cancer. Nevertheless some confirmatory studies must be considered to foster the use of anti-EGFR therapies including safety and clinical use. Two 4-arylaminoquinazoline derivatives, recently synthesized, were tested as kinase inhibitors and their citotoxicities showed potent growth inhibitory activity in breast tumor cell lines (MCF-7).

Synthesis and application of a peroxidase-like molecularly imprinted polymer based on hemin for selective determination of serotonin in blood serum.

This work reports the preparation of a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for selective catalytic detection of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT). The process is based on the synthesis of polymers with hemin introduced as the catalytic center to mimic the active site of peroxidase. The copolymer MIP, containing artificial recognition sites for 5-HT, has been prepared by bulk polymerization using methacrylic acid (MAA) and hemin as the functional monomers, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as the cross-linker.

Polymorphisms in the CBS gene and homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 levels: association with polymorphisms in the MTHFR and MTRR genes in Brazilian children.

Polymorphisms in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) and cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) genes, involved in the intracellular metabolism of homocysteine (Hcy), can result in hyperhomocysteinemia. The objective of this study was to evaluate prevalence estimates of CBS T833C, G919A and the insertion of 68-bp (844ins68) polymorphisms and their correlation with Hcy, folate and B(12) in 220 children previously genotyped for MTHFR C677T, A1298C, and MTRR A66G. The prevalence of heterozygote children for 844ins68 was 19.

Effects of a one-week treatment with acid gastric inhibitors on Helicobacter pylori-infected mice.

Objective: Antiacid drugs, including omeprazole and ranitidine, were prescribed to Helicobacter pylori-infected subjects in combination with antibiotics during eradication treatment. Several reports suggest that these drugs have additional pharmacological properties, such as antineutrophil, antiapoptotic and antioxidant characteristics. The aim of this work was to study the effects of acid suppressive medication treatment in the H.

Optimized hyperventilation preserves 2,3-diphosphoglycerate in severe traumatic brain injury.

Introduction: The concentration of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG/Hct) increases as a physiological occurrence to pH increase and hyperventilation. This response was tested in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Method: The concentration of 2,3-DPG/Hct was measured daily for six days in eleven patients with severe TBI in need of optimized hyperventilation because of intracranial hypertension.

Estrogen receptor alpha and beta gene polymorphisms are not risk factors for recurrent miscarriage in a Brazilian population.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of alpha (ESR1: c.454-397T>C and c.454-351A>G) and beta (ESR2: 1082G>A and 1730G>A) estrogen receptor gene polymorphisms in 2 Brazilian ethnic groups (Caucasian, African Brazilian) and to investigate their association with recurrent miscarriage (RM) in 75 women with a history of 3 or more consecutive pregnancy losses and 139 controls with at least 2 live births and no history of pregnancy loss.

Association between estrogen receptor alpha and beta gene polymorphisms and deep vein thrombosis.

Background: Estrogen and the estrogen receptors alpha (ESR1) and beta (ESR2) play a role in regulating genes, including coagulation and fibrinolysis genes.

Objective: We investigated the association between ESR1 c.454-397T>C and c.

Polymorphism C776G in the transcobalamin II gene and homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 concentrations. Association with MTHFR C677T and A1298C and MTRR A66G polymorphisms in healthy children.

One of the etiologies of hyperhomocysteinemia is decreased vitamin B(12). Genetic variation in the transcobalamin II gene, the transporter of vitamin B(12) to the cells, may produce altered homocysteine levels. We determined transcobalamin II C776G polymorphism, homocysteine, folate and vitamin B(12) levels and analyzed the interactive effect with the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T and A1298C and methionine synthase reductase A66G polymorphisms in 207 healthy Brazilian children.

Determination of glutathione in hemolysed erythrocyte with amperometric sensor based on TTF-TCNQ.

Background: GSH has a relevant role in human metabolism as an indicator of disease risks. An amperometric sensor for glutathione (GSH) determination is described as an alternative method featuring simple construction procedure and short time analysis.

Method: The developed sensor was used to determine glutathione at low potential using a TTF-TCNQ complex.

Polymorphisms in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and methionine synthase reductase genes and homocysteine levels in Brazilian children.

Hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for thrombosis, and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) polymorphisms, folate, and B12 levels could contribute to plasma homocysteine (Hcy) variation. Although well established in adults, few studies have been performed in childhood. In this study, we investigated association of polymorphisms C677T and A1298C in the MTHFR gene and A66G in the MTRR gene with Hcy levels in children.

Fast screening of low molecular weight compounds by thin-layer chromatography and "on-spot" MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

Fast screening of low-MW compounds is performed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) followed by direct on-spot matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry identification with nearly "matrix-free" mass spectra using an UV-absorbing ionic liquid matrix. Owing to minimal background ions from the proton donor triethylamine/alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid ionic liquid matrix, three arborescidine alkaloids, the anesthesics levobupivacaine and mepivacaine, and the antibiotic tetracycline were readily characterized most frequently by the MS detection of their protonated molecules. The technique is fast and sensitive, requires little sample preparation and manipulation, and is therefore suitable for fast screening with TLC separation and MS identification of low-MW compounds, with potential applications in areas such as phytochemistry, synthetic chemistry, and product manufacturing quality monitoring.

Chronic methionine load-induced hyperhomocysteinemia enhances rat carotid responsiveness for angiotensin II.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of chronic methionine treatment on vascular smooth muscle contractility for angiotensin II (Ang II). Methionine at 0.1, 1 and 2 g/kg body weight was administered daily in the drinking water for 2, 4, 8 and 16 weeks.

Combined cysteine and homocysteine quantitation in plasma by trap and release membrane introduction mass spectrometry.

Recently, a new and efficient method for total homocysteine (tHcy) quantitation in plasma using trap and release membrane introduction mass spectrometry (T&R-MIMS) with a versatile removable direct introduction membrane probe (DIMP) was described [R. Haddad, M. A.