Detection of exotic massive hadrons in ultrahigh energy cosmic ray telescopes

We investigate the detection of exotic massive strongly interacting hadrons (uhecrons) in ultrahigh energy cosmic ray telescopes. The conclusion is that experiments such as the Pierre Auger Observatory have the potential to detect these particles. It is shown that uhecron showers have clear distinctive features when compared to proton and nuclear showers. The simulation of uhecron air showers, and its detection and reconstruction by fluorescence telescopes, is described. We determine basic cuts in observables that will separate uhecrons from the cosmic ray bulk, assuming this is composed by protons. If these are composed by a heavier nucleus, the separation will be much improved. We also discuss photon induced showers. The complementarity between uhecron detection in accelerator experiments is discussed.

Development and validation of a fast RP-HPLC method to determine the analogue of the thyroid hormone, 3,5,3 '-triiodothyroacetic acid (TRIAC), in polymeric nanoparticles

The objective of this work was to develop and validate a rapid Reversed-Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography method for the quantification of 3,5,3 '-triiodothyroacetic acid (TRIAC) in nanoparticles delivery system prepared in different polymeric matrices. Special attention was given to developing a reliable reproductive technique for the pretreatment of the samples. Chromatographic runs were performed on an Agilent 1200 Series HPLC with a RP Phenomenex (R) Gemini C18 (150 x 4, 6 mm i.d., 5 mu m) column using acetonitrile and triethylamine buffer 0.1% (TEA) (40 : 60 v/v) as a mobile phase in an isocratic elution, pH 5.6 at a flow rate of 1 ml min(-1). TRIAC was detected at a wavelength of 220 nm. The injection volume was 20 mu l and the column temperature was maintained at 35 degrees C. The validation characteristics included accuracy, precision, specificity, linearity, recovery, and robustness. The standard curve was found to have a linear relationship (r(2) - 0.9996) over the analytical range of 5-100 mu g ml(-1) . The detection and quantitation limits were 1.3 and 3.8 mu g ml(-1), respectively. The recovery and loaded TRIAC in colloidal system delivery was nearly 100% and 98%, respectively. The method was successfully applied in polycaprolactone, polyhydroxybutyrate, and polymethylmethacrylate nanoparticles.

Flow injection analysis of paracetamol using a biomimetic sensor as a sensitive and selective amperometric detector

This work describes the coupling of a biomimetic sensor to a flow injection system for the sensitive determination of paracetamol. The sensor was prepared as previously described in the literature (M. D. P. T. Sotomayor, A. Sigoli, M. R. V. Lanza, A. A. Tanaka and L. T. Kubota, J. Braz. Chem. Soc., 2008, 19, 734) by modifying a glassy carbon electrode surface with a Nafion (R) membrane doped with iron tetrapyridinoporphyrazine (FeTPyPz), a biomimetic catalyst of the P450 enzyme. The performance of the sensor for paracetamol detection was investigated and optimized in a flow injection system (FIA) using a wall jet electrochemical cell. Under optimized conditions a wide linear response range (1.0 x 10(-5) to 5.0 x 10(-2) mol L(-1)) was obtained, with a sensitivity of 2579 (+/- 129) mu A L mu mol(-1). The detection and quantification limits of the sensor for paracetamol in the FIA system were 1.0 and 3.5 mu mol L(-1), respectively. The analytical frequency was 51 samples h(-1), and over a period of five days (320 determinations) the biosensor maintained practically the same response. The system was successfully applied to paracetamol quantification in seven pharmaceutical formulations and in water samples from six rivers in Sao Paulo State, Brazil.

Sequence-specific electrochemical detection of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris DNA using electroconductive polymer-modified fluorine tin oxide electrodes

This study outlines the quantification of low levels of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris in pure cultures, since this bacterium is not inactivated by pasteurization and may remain in industrialized foods and beverages. Electroconductive polymer-modified fluorine tin oxide (FTO) electrodes and multiple nanoparticle labels were used for biosensing. The detection of A. acidoterrestris in pure cultures was performed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the sensitivity was further increased by asymmetric nested RT-PCR using electrochemical detection for quantification of the amplicon. The quantification of nested RT-PCR products by Ag/Au-based electrochemical detection was able to detect 2 colony forming units per mL (CFU mL(-1)) of spores in pure culture and low detection and quantification limits (7.07 and 23.6 nM, respectively) were obtained for the target A. acidoterrestris on the electrochemical detection bioassay.

Leak detection by inverse transient analysis in an experimental PVC pipe system

Leakage reduction in water supply systems and distribution networks has been an increasingly important issue in the water industry since leaks and ruptures result in major physical and economic losses. Hydraulic transient solvers can be used in the system operational diagnosis, namely for leak detection purposes, due to their capability to describe the dynamic behaviour of the systems and to provide substantial amounts of data. In this research work, the association of hydraulic transient analysis with an optimisation model, through inverse transient analysis (ITA), has been used for leak detection and its location in an experimental facility containing PVC pipes. Observed transient pressure data have been used for testing ITA. A key factor for the success of the leak detection technique used is the accurate calibration of the transient solver, namely adequate boundary conditions and the description of energy dissipation effects since PVC pipes are characterised by a viscoelastic mechanical response. Results have shown that leaks were located with an accuracy between 4-15% of the total length of the pipeline, depending on the discretisation of the system model.

Prediction of Crude Oil Properties and Chemical Composition by Means of Steady-State and Time-Resolved Fluorescence

Steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence measurements are reported for several crude oils and their saturates, aromatics, resins, and asphaltenes (SARA) fractions (saturates, aromatics and resins), isolated from maltene after pentane precipitation of the asphaltenes. There is a clear relationship between the American Petroleum Institute (API) grade of the crude oils and their fluorescence emission intensity and maxima. Dilution of the crude oil samples with cyclohexane results in a significant increase of emission intensity and a blue shift, which is a clear indication of the presence of energy-transfer processes between the emissive chromophores present in the crude oil. Both the fluorescence spectra and the mean fluorescence lifetimes of the three SARA fractions and their mixtures indicate that the aromatics and resins are the major contributors to the emission of crude oils. Total synchronous fluorescence scan (TSFS) spectral maps are preferable to steady-state fluorescence spectra for discriminating between the fractions, making TSFS maps a particularly interesting choice for the development of fluorescence-based methods for the characterization and classification of crude oils. More detailed studies, using a much wider range of excitation and emission wavelengths, are necessary to determine the utility of time-resolved fluorescence (TRF) data for this purpose. Preliminary models constructed using TSFS spectra from 21 crude oil samples show a very good correlation (R(2) > 0.88) between the calculated and measured values of API and the SARA fraction concentrations. The use of models based on a fast fluorescence measurement may thus be an alternative to tedious and time-consuming chemical analysis in refineries.

Method development and optimization for the determination of selenium in bean and soil samples using hydride generation electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

The present investigation is the first part of an initiative to prepare a regional map of the natural abundance of selenium in various areas of Brazil, based on the analysis of bean and soil samples. Continuous-flow hydride generation electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (HG-ET AAS) with in situ trapping on an iridium-coated graphite tube has been chosen because of the high sensitivity and relative simplicity. The microwave-assisted acid digestion for bean and soil samples was tested for complete recovery of inorganic and organic selenium compounds (selenomethionine). The reduction of Se(VI) to Se(IV) was optimized in order to guarantee that there is no back-oxidation, which is of importance when digested samples are not analyzed immediately after the reduction step. The limits of detection and quantification of the method were 30 ng L(-1) Se and 101 ng L(-1) Se, respectively, corresponding to about 3 ng g(-1) and 10 ng g(-1), respectively, in the solid samples, considering a typical dilution factor of 100 for the digestion process. The results obtained for two certified food reference materials (CRM), soybean and rice, and for a soil and sediment CRM confirmed the validity of the investigated method. The selenium content found in a number of selected bean samples varied between 5.5 +/- 0.4 ng g(-1) and 1726 +/- 55 ng g(-1), and that in soil samples varied between 113 +/- 6.5 ng g(-1) and 1692 +/- 21 ng g(-1). (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

High prevalence, low counts and uncommon serotypes of Listeria monocytogenes in linguica, a Brazilian fresh pork sausage

Linguica is a highly popular and appreciated pork product in Brazil, frequently consumed undercooked. Aiming at collection of data for a future risk assessment, this study evaluated the prevalence and counts of Listeria monocytogenes in linguica samples collected at retail level in Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil. ISO methods were used for detection and enumeration of the pathogen (11290-1 and 11290-2, respectively). Isolates were submitted to Simplex-PCR for hlyA gene and those with biochemical features of L. monocytogenes and hlyA positive were serotyped using a Multiplex PCR. Ninety percent of the samples were positive for Listeria spp., and L monocytogenes was detected in 42% of the samples, with counts below 10(2) CFU/g in all samples. A prevalence of uncommon serotypes 4a and 4c was observed. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Determination of eight fatty acid ethyl esters in meconium samples by headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A number of fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) have recently been detected in meconium samples. Several of these FAEEs have been evaluated as possible biomarkers for in utero ethanol exposure. In the present study, a method was optimized and validated for the simultaneous determination of eight FAEEs (ethyl laurate, ethyl myristate, ethyl palmitate, ethyl palmitoleate, ethyl stearate, ethyl oleate, ethyl linoleate and ethyl arachidonate) in meconium samples. FAEEs were extracted by headspace solid-phase microextraction. Analyte detection and quantification were carried out using GC-MS operated in chemical ionization mode. The corresponding D5-ethyl esters were synthesized and used as internal standards. The LOQ and LOD for each analyte were <150 and <100 ng/g, respectively. The method showed good linearity (r(2)>0.98) in the concentration range studied (LOQ -2000 ng/g). The intra- and interday imprecision, given by the RSD of the method, was lower than 15% for all FAEEs studied. The validated method was applied to 63 authentic specimens. FAEEs could be detected in alcohol-exposed newborns ( >600 ng/g cumulative concentration). Interestingly, FAEEs could also be detected in some non-exposed newborns, although the concentrations were much lower than those measured in exposed cases.

Simultaneous determination of econazole nitrate, main impurities and preservatives in cream formulation by high performance liquid chromatography

A reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method for determination of econazole nitrate, preservatives (methylparaben and propylparaben) and its main impurities (4-chlorobenzl alcohol and alpha-(2,4-dicholorophenyl)-1H-imidazole-1-ethanol) in cream formulations, has been developed and validated. Separation was achieved on a column Bondclone (R) C18 (300 mm x 3.9 mm i.d., 10 mu m) using a gradient method with mobile phase composed of methanol and water. The flow rate was 1.4 mL min(-1), temperature of the column was 25 C and the detection was made at 220 nm. Miconazole nitrate was used as an internal standard. The total run time was less than 15 min, The analytical curves presented coefficient of correlation upper to 0.99 and detection and quantitation limits were calculated for all molecules. Excellent accuracy and precision were obtained for econazole nitrate. Recoveries varied from 97.9 to 102.3% and intra- and inter-day precisions, calculated as relative standard deviation (R.S.D), were lower than 2.2%. Specificity, robustness and assay for econazole nitrate were also determined. The method allowed the quantitative determination of econazole nitrate, its impurities and preservatives and could be applied as a stability-indicating method for econazole nitrate in cream formulations. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Photoinduced Nitric Oxide and Singlet Oxygen Release from ZnPC Liposome Vehicle Associated with the Nitrosyl Ruthenium Complex: Synergistic Effects in Photodynamic Therapy Application

Under continuous photolysis at 675 nm, liposomal zinc phthalocyanine associated with nitrosyl ruthenium complex [Ru(NH.NHq)(tpy)NO](3+) showed the detection and quantification of nitric oxide (NO) and singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)) release. Photophysical and photochemical results demonstrated that the interaction between the nitrosyl ruthenium complex and the photosensitizer can enable an electron transfer process from the photosensitizer to the nitrosyl ruthenium complex which leads to NO release. Synergistic action of both photosensitizers and the nitrosyl ruthenium complex results in the production of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species, which is a potent oxidizing agent to many biological tissues, in particular neoplastic cells.

Management of Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis in Latin America A Consensus Position Paper From Pan-American League of Associations of Rheumatology and Grupo Latino Americano De Estudio de Artritis Reumatoide

Objective: A consensus meeting of representatives of 18 Latin-American and Caribbean countries gathered in Renaca, Chile, for 2 days to identify problems and provide recommendations for the care of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Latin America, a region where poverty and other health priorities make the efforts to provide effective and high quality care difficult. This report includes recommendations for health professionals, patients, and health authorities in Latin America, with an emphasis oil education and therapeutic issues. Methods: Fifty-one rheumatologists (list available only online on the JCR website) from 18 Latin-American and Caribbean countries with a special interest in RA participated in the consensus meeting. Participants were experts identified and appointed by the National Societies of Rheumatology affiliated with the Pan-American League of Associations for Rheumatology (PANLAR) and by the Grupo Latino Americano De Estudio de Artritis Reumatoide (GLADAR)-an independent group of Latin American rheumatologist researchers were also invited to the meeting. Eight topics were identified as priorities: patient, community and allied health professional education, health policy and decision making, programs for early detection and appropriate treatment of RA, role of classic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), role of biologic therapy, and drug safety surveillance. To reach consensus, a survey with questions relevant to the topic of interest was sent to all participants before the meeting. During a 2 day meeting, the answers of the survey were reviewed and discussed by each group, with final recommendations on action items. Results: The specific topic of the survey was answered by 86% of the participants and 68% of them answered the entire survey. It was agreed that RA and rheumatic diseases which are currently not but should be public health priorities in Latin America, because of their prevalence and impact on quality of life. Conclusions: Strategic areas identified as priorities for our region included: early diagnosis and access to care by multidisciplinary teams, creation of databases to identify infections with the use of biologic agents in RA which are relevant to Latin America, and overall efforts to improve the care of RA patients in accordance with international standards. Implementation of educational programs aimed to improve self-management for patients with RA was also considered crucial.

Real-time detection of pneumothorax using electrical impedance tomogyaphy

Objectives: Pneumothorax is a frequent complication during mechanical ventilation. Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a noninvasive tool that allows real-time imaging of regional ventilation. The purpose of this study was to 1) identify characteristic changes in the EIT signals associated with pneumothoraces; 2) develop and fine-tune an algorithm for their automatic detection; and 3) prospectively evaluate this algorithm for its sensitivity and specificity in detecting pneumothoraces in real time. Design: Prospective controlled laboratory animal investigation. Setting: Experimental Pulmonology Laboratory of the University of Sao Paulo. Subjects: Thirty-nine anesthetized mechanically ventilated supine pigs (31.0 +/- 3.2 kg, mean +/- SD). Interventions. In a first group of 18 animals monitored by EIT, we either injected progressive amounts of air (from 20 to 500 mL) through chest tubes or applied large positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) increments to simulate extreme lung overdistension. This first data set was used to calibrate an EIT-based pneumothorax detection algorithm. Subsequently, we evaluated the real-time performance of the detection algorithm in 21 additional animals (with normal or preinjured lungs), submitted to multiple ventilatory interventions or traumatic punctures of the lung. Measurements and Main Results: Primary EIT relative images were acquired online (50 images/sec) and processed according to a few imaging-analysis routines running automatically and in parallel. Pneumothoraces as small as 20 mL could be detected with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity 95% and could be easily distinguished from parenchymal overdistension induced by PEEP or recruiting maneuvers, Their location was correctly identified in all cases, with a total delay of only three respiratory cycles. Conclusions. We created an EIT-based algorithm capable of detecting early signs of pneumothoraces in high-risk situations, which also identifies its location. It requires that the pneumothorax occurs or enlarges at least minimally during the monitoring period. Such detection was operator-free and in quasi real-time, opening opportunities for improving patient safety during mechanical ventilation.

Use of SVM Methods with Surface-Based Cortical and Volumetric Subcortical Measurements to Detect Alzheimer`s Disease

Here, we examine morphological changes in cortical thickness of patients with Alzheimer`s disease (AD) using image analysis algorithms for brain structure segmentation and study automatic classification of AD patients using cortical and volumetric data. Cortical thickness of AD patients (n = 14) was measured using MRI cortical surface-based analysis and compared with healthy subjects (n = 20). Data was analyzed using an automated algorithm for tissue segmentation and classification. A Support Vector Machine (SVM) was applied over the volumetric measurements of subcortical and cortical structures to separate AD patients from controls. The group analysis showed cortical thickness reduction in the superior temporal lobe, parahippocampal gyrus, and enthorhinal cortex in both hemispheres. We also found cortical thinning in the isthmus of cingulate gyrus and middle temporal gyrus at the right hemisphere, as well as a reduction of the cortical mantle in areas previously shown to be associated with AD. We also confirmed that automatic classification algorithms (SVM) could be helpful to distinguish AD patients from healthy controls. Moreover, the same areas implicated in the pathogenesis of AD were the main parameters driving the classification algorithm. While the patient sample used in this study was relatively small, we expect that using a database of regional volumes derived from MRI scans of a large number of subjects will increase the SVM power of AD patient identification.

Clinical End Points and Response Criteria in Mycosis Fungoides and Sezary Syndrome: A Consensus Statement of the International Society for Cutaneous Lymphomas, the United States Cutaneous Lymphoma Consortium, and the Cutaneous Lymphoma Task Force of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer

Mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sezary syndrome (SS), the major forms of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, have unique characteristics that distinguish them from other types of non-Hodgkin`s lymphomas. Clinical trials in MF/SS have suffered from a lack of standardization in evaluation, staging, assessment, end points, and response criteria. Recently defined criteria for the diagnosis of early MF, guidelines for initial evaluation, and revised staging and classification criteria for MF and SS now offer the potential for uniform staging of patients enrolled in clinical trials for MF/SS. This article presents consensus recommendations for the general conduct of clinical trials of patients with MF/SS as well as methods for standardized assessment of potential disease manifestations in skin, lymph nodes, blood, and visceral organs, and definition of end points and response criteria. These guidelines should facilitate collaboration among investigators and collation of data from sponsor-generated or investigator-initiated clinical trials involving patients with MF or SS. J Clin Oncol 29:2598-2607. (C) 2011 by American Society of Clinical Oncology