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Introducción: La violencia sexual contra la mujer es un problema de grandes magnitudes, que no ha sido adecuadamente dimensionado, debido a la tendencia a no denunciar de las víctimas. Justificación: En Honduras el 24% de las mujeres reporto haber sufrido algún tipo de violencia sexual, en algún momento de su vida, por lo que la investigación en este campo es relevante. Resumen del caso: Femenina adulta que fue atacada sexualmente por un hombre desconocido que la intercepto en la vía pública; la denuncia y la investigación integrada culmino con la captura y condena del imputado. Conclusión: Este caso ilustra la importancia del trabajo integrado entre los entes de investigación, forenses y fiscalía para la gestión adecuada de la información que culmino en la detención y condena del sospechoso y justicia para la víctima...(AU)

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AIMS: To evaluate the capacity of fourteen sesquiterpenes to enhance the action of known antibiotics against two ß-lactam resistant strains, and to determine a possible mechanism of antibiotic sensitization by assessing their ability to inhibit a ß-lactamase enzyme. METHODS AND RESULTS: The broth microdilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ß-lactams cefuroxime (CEFM) and cefepime (CPM) against Staphylococcus aureus 23MR and Escherichia coli 82MR strains in the absence and presence of subinhibitory concentrations of fourteen natural sesquiterpenes. (1R,4R)-4H-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-hydroxycadalen-15-oic acid (5), xerantolide (8), estafiatin (11), and ambrosin (12) exhibited the best sensitizing effects in both strains. These compounds were able to reduce the MIC of CEFM by 2-fold (from 15.0 to 7.5 µg/mL) and CPM by 15-fold (from 0.9 to 0.06 µg/mL) in S. aureus 23MR. For E. coli 82MR, the MIC of CEFM was reduced up to 8-fold (from 120.0 to 15.0 µg/mL). In this strain, the activity of 8 and 11 surpassed that of clavulanic acid (positive reference), which reduced the MIC of CEFM from 120.0 to 60.0 µg/mL. To elucidate a possible mechanism of antibiotic sensitization, molecular docking studies were conducted with ß-lactamases. These studies revealed an affinity with the enzymes (energies > -4.93 kcal/mol) by the formation of hydrogen bonds with certain conserved amino acid residues within the active sites. However, the in vitro results indicated only marginal inhibition, with percentages <50%. CONCLUSIONS: The bioevaluations indicate that nine of fourteen sesquiterpenes enhance the action of CEFM and CPM against the ß-lactam resistant strains, and these compounds displayed moderate activity as inhibitors of ß-lactamase.

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A solid-phase dispersive microextraction procedure has been developed using ferrite (Fe3O4), an inexpensive magnetic material, as an adsorbent for the separation and subsequent determination of Ga(III) and In(III). The ions were removed from an aqueous solution by adsorption on Fe3O4, which was next easily collected from the medium by the action of a magnet. The analytes were then desorbed using 50 µL of 2 M NaOH or 50 µL of a 4:1 mixture of 0.1 M EDTA and 2 M HNO3 for the determination of Ga(III) or In(III), respectively. The level of the elements in the desorption phase was measured by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) by injecting 10 µL of this phase into the atomizer. The enrichment factor was 163, and detection limits of 0.02 and 0.01 µg L-1 were achieved for Ga(III) and In(III), respectively. The reliability of the procedure has been verified by means of standard reference materials and by means of standard additions. Results are given for waters, soils and samples obtained from various electronic devices. It is of note that the procedure could be the basis for a useful way of recovering these valuable elements from different matrices for reuse.

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The toxicity of all species of mercury makes it necessary to implement analytical procedures capable of quantifying the different forms this element presents in the environment, even at very low concentrations. In addition, due to the assorted environmental and health consequences caused by each mercury species, it is desirable that the procedures are able to distinguish these forms. In nature, mercury is mainly found as Hg0, Hg2+ and methylmercury (MeHg), with the latter being rapidly assimilated by living organisms in the aquatic environment and biomagnified through the food chain. In this work, a dispersive solid-phase microextraction of Hg2+ and MeHg is proposed using as the adsorbent a magnetic hybrid material formed by graphene oxide and ferrite (Fe3O4@GO), along with a subsequent determination by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). On the one hand, when dithizone at a pH = 5 is used as an auxiliary agent, both Hg(II) and MeHg are retained on the adsorbent. Next, for the determination of both species, the solid collected by the means of a magnet is suspended in a mixture of 50 µL of HNO3 (8% v/v) and 50 µL of H2O2 at 30% v/v by heating for 10 min in an ultrasound thermostatic bath at 80 °C. On the other hand, when the sample is set at a pH = 9, Hg(II) and MeHg are also retained, but if the solid collected is washed with N-acetyl-L-cysteine only, then the Hg(II) remains on the adsorbent, and can be determined as indicated above. The proposed procedure exhibits an enrichment factor of 49 and the determination presents a linear range between 0.1 and 10 µg L-1 of mercury. The procedure has been applied to the determination of mercury in water samples from different sources.

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Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical compound used in the manufacturing of plastics and resins whose presence in the body in low concentrations can cause serious health problems. Due to this, there is a growing interest in the scientific community to develop analytical methods that allow quantifying trace concentrations of BPA in different types of samples. The determination of this compound in toys made of plastics that can be manipulated by children leads to an extra concern, because it is possible for BPA to enter the body by introducing these toys into the mouth. This work presents a novel procedure to the quickly and easily quantification of trace levels of BPA in samples of toys and pacifiers according to the current demanding regulations. The determination of very low levels of BPA was carried out by ionic liquid dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (IL-DLLME) followed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The formation in situ of the ionic liquid (IL) 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium bis((trifluoromethane)sulfonyl)imide ([C8MIm] [NTf2]), was achieved by mixing 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C8MIm]Cl) and lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([NTf2]Li) aqueous solutions, reaching an instant dispersion whose cloud of microdrops allows the total extraction of BPA in the IL from aqueous solutions. After centrifugation, BPA concentration in the sedimented phase was determined by HPLC. The optimal experimental conditions for the microextraction and determination of BPA in the IL were studied. The total extraction was achieved at pH 4, heating the sample at 30 °C for 5 min, using 100 µL of IL precursor volume, and spinning after the formation of dispersion at 3000 rpm for 10 min. The enrichment factor (EF) and detection limit (LOD) reached with the procedure were 299 and 0.19 µg L-1, respectively. The relative standard deviation for ten replications at the 0.5 µg L-1 level was 5.2%. Recovery studies showed a mean value for BPA recovery percentage in the samples of 99%. Additionally, a hybrid model was applied to characterize the extraction kinetics. This simple, low cost and fast method simplifies traditional microextraction techniques, representing an outstanding alternative.

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In this work we present a novel procedure for ibuprofen adsorption from waters employing magnetic core-modified silver nanoparticles. We demonstrate that 93% adsorption of ibuprofen is achieved in 45 min by means of a simple method, for neutral pH and room temperature, also using a low dose of adsorbent, equal to 7 mg in 500 µL of suspension. The characterization of the adsorbent, before and after adsorption, was carried out by means of field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, BET analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. It is worth pointing out that ibuprofen can be desorbed and the adsorbent can be reused, remaining unaltered for the first three cycles, and showing 89.3% adsorption efficiency after the third regeneration. A three-parameter model and the Langmuir isotherm characterize the kinetics and isotherm of adsorption.

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The cloud point extraction (CPE) of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by Triton X-114 allows chromium (III) ions to be transferred to the surfactant-rich phase, where they can be measured by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Using 20 mL sample and 50 µL Triton X-114 (30% w/v), the enrichment factor was 1150, and calibration graphs were obtained in the 5-100 ng L(-1) chromium range in the presence of 5 µg L(-1) AgNPs. Speciation of trivalent and hexavalent chromium was achieved by carrying out two CPE experiments, one of them in the presence of ethylenediaminetetraacetate. While in the first experiment, in absence of the complexing agent, the concentration of total chromium was obtained, the analytical signal measured in the presence of this chemical allowed the chromium (VI) concentration to be measured, being that of chromium (III) calculated by difference. The reliability of the procedure was verified by using three standard reference materials before applying to water, beer and wine samples.

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A methodology for the non-chromatographic screening of the main arsenic species present in edible oils is discussed. Reverse dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction was used to extract water soluble arsenic compounds (inorganic arsenic, methylarsonate, dimethylarsinate and arsenobetaine) from the edible oils into a slightly acidic aqueous medium. The total arsenic content was measured in the extracts by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using palladium as the chemical modifier. By repeating the measurement using cerium instead of palladium, the sum of inorganic arsenic and methylarsonate was obtained. The detection limit was 0.03 ng As per gram of oil. Data for the total and water-soluble arsenic levels of 29 samples of different origin are presented. Inorganic arsenic was not found in any of the samples marketed as edible oils.

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The dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction of edible oils with a low volume of an acidic solution in the presence of isopropyl alcohol allows cadmium and lead to be completely separated into the aqueous phase. After centrifugation, the metals are determined by electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry using a palladium salt for chemical modification in the heating cycle. Using a 10 g oil sample, the enrichment factor is 140, which permits detection limits of 0.6 and 10 ng kg(-1) for cadmium and lead, respectively. The results agree with those obtained after sample mineralization. Data for the cadmium and lead levels for 15 samples of different characteristics are given.

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A methodology for the nonchromatographic separation of the main selenium species present in edible oils is presented. Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction is used to extract inorganic selenium (iSe), seleno-L-cystine (SeCys2), seleno-L-methionine (SeMet), and selenocystamine (SeCM) into a slightly acidic aqueous medium. The selenium total (tSe) content is measured in the extracts by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. By repeating the microextraction stage using an ionic liquid instead of water, the sum of SeCys2, SeMet, and SeCM is obtained and iSe is calculated by difference. The detection limit is 0.03 ng of Se per gram of oil. The fractionation of the edible oils by solid phase extraction followed by dispersive liquid-liquid extraction and atomic absorption measurement also permits speciation of iSe to be carried out. Data for tSe and iSe levels of 15 samples of different origin are given.

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A microextraction procedure for the speciation of very low concentrations (0.005-0.2 µg L(-1)) of chromium is discussed. To the aqueous sample (10 mL), diluted hydrochloric acid, sodium chloride and a small amount of tributylphosphate (80 µL) are incorporated, and the mixture is submitted to ultrasounds for 10 min. The organic phase recovered after centrifuging is injected into the electrothermal atomizer, and the signal due to hexavalent chromium obtained. The repetition of the procedure using another aliquot in which all the chromium present is oxidized to Cr (VI) allows the Cr(III) content to be obtained by difference. The enrichment factor is 240 and the detection limit 0.002 µg L(-1) chromium. The relative standard deviation for ten consecutive microextractions of a 0.1 µg L(-1) chromium solution is close to 8%. The procedure is applied to waters and to the leachates obtained from low cost toys made of plastic materials.

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A procedure for the determination of ultratrace levels of lead and cadmium using dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction followed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) has been developed. The ionic liquid, 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([C8MIm][NTf2]), is formed in situ and used to extract the lead and cadmium complexes with ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate. The very fine droplets of ([C8MIm][NTf2]) allow effective dispersion without the need for organic solvents. After centrifugation, the concentrations of lead and cadmium in the sedimented phase can be determined by ETAAS. Using a 10 mL aqueous sample, the enrichment factor of the procedure was 280 and detection limits of 0.2 and 3 ng L(-1) were obtained for cadmium and lead, respectively. The relative standard deviations for 10 replicates at the 10 ng L(-1) cadmium and 0.2 µg L(-1) lead levels were 6.5 and 7.3%, respectively. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of waters as well as to lixiviates obtained from toys made of plastic materials.

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