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Objetivos ­ Identificar os agrotóxicos utilizados pelos agricultores familiares do povoado Passagem do Sargento, Juazeiro-BA e verificar os riscos à saúde do agricultor relacionados com o método de uso e a exposição a esses produtos. Métodos ­ Foram entrevistados quatro agricultores familiares e por meio de pesquisas na literatura, bulas dos agrotóxicos e consultas às fichas de informações de segurança de produtos químicos, foram identificados os possíveis efeitos dos agrotóxicos sobre a saúde e se os produtos químicos estão sendo utilizados de acordo com a praga e cultura às quais se destinam. Resultados ­ Verificou-se que os agricultores não seguem as indicações dos fabricantes contidas nos rótulos, seja em relação a frequência de seu uso, seja em relação à indicação da planta alvo. Além disso, um terço dos agrotóxicos utilizados por eles são classificados como extremamente tóxicos para a saúde humana, o que evidencia o potencial de danos de grande magnitude para os trabalhadores que os manuseiam, sobretudo por não seguirem as indicações contidas nas bulas. Conclusão ­ Diante dos riscos identificados, é necessária a atuação do poder público no fornecimento de assistência técnica, no sentido de fornecer informações adequadas para os agricultores familiares, buscando proteger esses trabalhadores dos efeitos nocivos dos agrotóxicos e viabilizar o processo produtivo.

Objective ­ To identify the pesticides used by family farmers in the village of Passagem do Sargento, Juazeiro, Bahia, Brazil, and to verify the risks to the health of the farmer related to the method of use and exposure to these products. Methods ­ Four family farmers were interviewed and, through research in the literature, package inserts and consultations with the safety information sheets of chemical products, the possible effects of pesticides on health were identified and whether the chemical products are being used according to the pest and crop at which are intended. Results ­ It was verified that the farmers do not follow the manufacturers' indications contained in the labels, either in relation to the frequency of its use, or in relation to the indication of the target plant. In addition, one third of the pesticides used by them are classified as extremely toxic to human health, which highlights the potential for great damage to the workers who handle them, especially for not following the instructions contained in the leaflets. Conclusion ­ In view of the identified risks, it is necessary for the public authorities to provide technical assistance, in order to provide adequate information to family farmers, seeking to protect these workers from the harmful effects of pesticides and make the production process viable.

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Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurological disorder, is a major public health concern and the most common form of dementia. Its typical symptoms include memory loss, confusion, changes in personality, and cognitive impairment, which result in patients gradually losing independence. Over the last decades, some studies have focused on searching for effective biomarkers as early diagnostic indicators of AD. Amyloid-ß (Aß) peptides have been consolidated as reliable AD biomarkers and have been incorporated into modern diagnostic research criteria. However, quantitative analysis of Aß peptides in biological samples remains a challenge because both the sample and the physical-chemical properties of these peptides are complex. During clinical routine, Aß peptides are measured in the cerebrospinal fluid by immunoassays, but the availability of a specific antibody is critical-in some cases, an antibody may not exist, or its specificity may be inadequate, leading to low sensitivity and false results. HPLC-MS/MS has been reported as a sensitive and selective method for determining different fragments of Aß peptides in biological samples simultaneously. Developments in sample preparation techniques (preconcentration platforms) such as immunoprecipitation, 96-well plate SPME, online SPME, and fiber-in-tube SPME have enabled not only effective enrichment of Aß peptides present at trace levels in biological samples, but also efficient exclusion of interferents from the sample matrix (sample cleanup). This high extraction efficiency has provided MS platforms with higher sensitivity. Recently, methods affording LLOQ values as low as 5 pg mL-1 have been reported. Such low LLOQ values are adequate for quantifying Aß peptides in complex matrixes including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma samples. This review summarizes the advances in mass spectrometry (MS)-based methods for quantifying Aß peptides and covers the period 1992-2022. Important considerations regarding the development of the HPLC-MS/MS method such as the sample preparation step, optimization of the HPLC-MS/MS parameters, and matrix effects are described. Clinical applications, difficulties related to analysis of plasma samples, and future trends of these MS/MS-based methods are also discussed.

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Current research efforts at neurological diseases have focused on identifying novel biomarkers to aid in diagnosis, to provide accurate prognostic information, and to monitor disease progression. This study presents the direct coupling of fiber-in-tube solid-phase microextraction to tandem mass spectrometry as a reliable method to determine amyloid beta peptides (Aß38, Aß40, and Aß42) as biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. To obtain the biocompatible fiber-in-tube SPME capillary, a PEEK tube segment was longitudinally packed with fine fibers [nitinol wires coated with a zwitterionic polymeric ionic liquid], to act as selective extraction medium. The fiber-in-tube SPME-MS/MS method integrated analyte extraction/enrichment and sample cleanup (exclusion of interferents) into one step. The method provided lower limits of quantification (LLOQ: 0.2 ng mL-1 for Aß38 and 0.1 ng mL-1 for Aß40 and Aß42), high precision (CV lower than 11.6%), and high accuracy (relative standard deviation lower than 15.1%). This method was successfully applied to determine Aß peptides in CSF samples obtained from AD patients (n = 8) and controls (healthy volunteers, n = 10). Results showed that Aß42 levels in the CSF samples obtained from AD patients were significantly lower compared to healthy controls (p < 0.05). On the basis of the ROC analysis results, the Aß42/Aß40 ratio (AUC = 0.950, p < 0.01; 95%) performed significantly better than Aß42 alone (AUC = 0.913, p < 0.01; 95%) in discriminating between AD patients and healthy controls and presented better diagnostic ability for AD. The novelties of this study are not only related to evaluating Aß peptides as AD biomarkers, but also to demonstrating direct online coupling of fiber-in-tube SPME with MS/MS as a quantitative high-throughput method for bioanalysis.

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Abstract The present study aimed to describe a study protocol for Orienteers' anthropometric characteristics and physical activity level. This is an individualized, observation and cross-sectional pilot study, that has encompassed three Orienteers (2 Portuguese men and 1 Spanish woman) with mean age 22.6 ± 3.78 years and 8.0 ± 2.64 consecutive years of Orientation practice. In total, 26 anthropometric variables were assessed: four basic measurements, nine skinfolds, nine girths and four breadths; Body Mass Index was calculated, as well as body composition and somatotype (according to the Heath-Carter method). The International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form was used to obtain the score expressed as metabolic equivalent and the energy expenditure in kilocalories, both during the reference week. Mean somatotype recorded for Orienteering athletes could be defined as balanced mesomorph. Scores recorded for different physical activity/ inactivity expressed domains have shown high-energy expenditure. Sports Science Professionals can use the herein proposed protocol to improve Orienteers' training.

Resumo Objetivou-se descrever um protocolo de estudo das características antropométricas e do nível de atividade física de Orientistas. Trata-se de um estudo piloto, caracterizado como individualizado, observacional e transversal. Participaram do estudo três Orientistas (2 homens Portugueses e 1 mulher Espanhola) com 22,6 ± 3,78 anos de idade e 8,0 ± 2,64 anos de prática consecutiva de Orientação. Foram avaliadas 26 variáveis antropométricas: quatro medidas básicas, nove dobras cutâneas, nove circunferências e quatro diâmetros ósseos; Índice de Massa Corporal foi calculado, bem como a composição corporal e o somatotipo (de acordo com o método Heath-Carter). O Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física, versão curta e auto-administrado, foi utilizado para obter a pontuação expressa como equivalente metabólico e o dispêndio energético em quilocalorias, ambos durante a semana de referência. A média do somatotipo dos atletas de Orientação pode ser definida como mesomorfo balanceado. As pontuações dos diferentes domínios da atividade física/ inatividade expressas, demonstraram um elevado dispêndio energético. Profissionais das Ciências do Esporte podem usar o protocolo proposto para melhor controle do treinamento de Orientistas.

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A articulação temporomandibular está vunerável a várias condições de anormalidades já bastante conhecidas, dentre elas, o deslocamento do disco articular sem redução, considerado pela literatura o mais comum das patologias desta região. A deterioração do quadro pode ser um indicativo da necessidade cirúrgica. Em específico, no deslocamento de disco sem redução, o reposicionamento definitivo pode ser adquirido através de discopexia e artrocentese. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo relatar um caso clínico de deslocamento de disco articular bilateral sem redução, apresentando a importância da fisioterapia associada à abordagem cirúrgia na recuperação da função mandibular, bem como, reforçar a importância de uma abordagem conjunta entre análise clínica e imaginológica para resolução de casos. Paciente feminino cursando com diversos sintomas em face e pescoço de forma progressiva ao longo de dois anos foi submetida a cirurgia na articulação temporo-mandibular, onde foi feita a discopexia através de ancoragem dos discos articulares com parafusos. A avaliação física, assim como, a imaginológica, ajudaram na confirmação do diagnóstico. A abordagem cirurgica adotada no tratamento deste caso foi descrita na literatura desde o final do século XIX. Conclui-se que, o método utilizado no tratamento do deslocamento de disco sem redução deve ser baseado nos sinais e sintomas do paciente, cuja abordagem deve ser readequada de acordo com as mudanças do quadro apresentado. Nesta análise, a abordagem cirúrgica associada à fisioterapia específica para as estruturas musculoesquelética da face trouxeram resultados positivos(AU)

The temporomandibular joint is responsible for several well-known conditions of abnormalities, among them, the joint disc displacement without reduction, considered by the literature the most common pathology of this region. Deterioration of the condition may be indicative of surgical need. Specifically, in displacement disc without reduction, definitive repositioning can be achieved through discopexy and arthrocentesis. The aim of the present study is to report a case of unilateral articular disc displacement without reduction, as well the importance of physiotherapy associated with the surgical approach in the recovery of mandibular function, as well as reinforcing the importance of a joint approach between clinical and imaging analysis for case resolution. Female patient with several symptoms in the face and neck progressively over two years, underwent surgery in the temporomandibular joint, where discopexy was performed by anchoring the articular discs with screws. The physical assessment, as well as the imaging, helped to confirm the diagnosis. The surgical approach adopted in the treatment of this case has been described in the literature since the end of the 19th century. In conclusion, the method used to treat articular disc displacement without reduction should be based on the patient's signs and symptoms, whose approach should be readjusted according to the changes in the presented picture. In this analysis, the surgical approach associated with specific physiotherapy for the musculoskeletal structures of the face brought positive results(AU)

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Miniaturized liquid chromatography (LC) has been recognized as one of the most important analytical methods in several research fields. Reduced analytical work-scale provides superior chromatographic resolution and decreases sample and organic solvent consumption. However, frequent clogging of tubing connections and use of small sample volumes are significant limitations when high throughput and sensitive analyses are required. Effective sample preparation could help to overcome these limitations. Online coupling of sample preparation techniques (such as column switching and in-tube solid-phase microextraction) with these miniaturized systems may result in more sensitive and reproducible analyses, improving analytical efficiency. This review describes the most common online miniaturized LC configurations, and the main applications of current online sample preparation techniques coupled to miniaturized LC systems in the bioanalytical, omics, and environmental areas. Relevant features, and challenges of these systems, and innovative sorbents, including restricted access materials, monoliths, and immunosorbents is also discussed.

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Alzheimer disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by extracellular accumulation of amyloid-ß peptide (Aß) in the brain interstitium. Human serum albumin (HSA) highly binds to Aß in blood plasma and is thought to inhibit plaque formation in peripheral tissue. Thus, the evaluation of albumin binding to Aß is an important key to understand the dynamics of these molecules in the biological system of patients with AD. In this work, a fiber-in-tube solid-phase microextraction (fiber-in-tube SPME) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method was developed to estimate Aß fraction binding to HSA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma samples. Crosslinked zwitterionic polymeric ionic liquid (zwitterionic PIL)-coated nitinol wires were developed and packed into a polyether ether ketone (PEEK) capillary for a fiber-in-tube SPME and UHPLC-MS/MS method. Zwitterionic PIL sorbent was synthetized from 1-vinyl-3-(butanesulfonate)imidazolium ([VIm+C4SO3-]) and 1,12-di(3-vinylimidazolium)dodecane dibromide ([(VIm)2C12]2[Br]) monomers by in-situ thermally-initiated polymerization. Morphological characterization by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed a decrease in the surface roughness of the nitinol wires from ∼17 nm to 1 nm after the in-situ polymerization. The zwitterionic PIL sorbent selectively preconcentrates Aß through a two-pronged interaction mechanism. The fiber-in-tube SPME and UHPLC-MS/MS method presented lower limits of quantification (LLOQ) of 0.4 ng mL-1 for Aß38 and 0.3 ng mL-1 for Aß40 and Aß42, a linear range from LLOQ values to 15 ng mL-1 with coefficients of determination higher than 0.99, precision with coefficient of variation (CV) values ranging from 2.1 to 7.3% and accuracy with relative standard deviation (RSD) values from -0.3 to 7.4. This method was successfully applied to evaluate the binding of HSA to Aß in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma samples.

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Aims: The existing instruments for assessing heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) require contact area. This is difficult to obtain from specific groups of patients and from those moving. The aim of this study was to validate the use of the HRVCam software for measuring HR and HRV in healthy adults. Methods and results: The HR and HRV variables were evaluated in terms of time and frequency using a webcam and Polar® S810i. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to test the normality of the data, and the Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) was used to identify the possible correlation between the two instruments. The size of the effect was calculated based on a generalized linear model, and the Bland-Altman plots were used to analyse the agreement between the methods. The level of significance for all analyses was set at P < 0.05. We evaluated 102 participants, of whom 52% were men; 83.3% were aged between 18 and 29.9 years; and 84.3% were single. Conclusion: There was a good agreement and moderate to strong correlations among all analysed variables. The biases were low, except for the low frequency/high frequency measures. Moreover, the difference between the samples was small to moderate. The results of this study corroborate the use of HRVCam for measuring HR and HRV.

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Introdução: O cisto do ducto nasopalatino é uma lesão não odontogênica com etiologia controversa. No entanto, fatores irritantes, como trauma local e infecções bacterianas, podem estimular o remanescente epitelial do ducto nasopalatino, levando a uma formação cística. Sua predileção ocorre em homens adultos entre a quarta e a sexta décadas. Geralmente é assintomático, sendo detectado por exame de rotina. O objetivo do presente estudo é apresentar e discutir um caso de cisto do Ducto Nasopalatino, analisando-se os aspectos clínicos e imaginológicos da patologia em face, comparando-o com dados provenientes da literatura corrente. Relato de caso: Como resultado este artigo apresenta a abordagem de um caso cirúrgico de cisto do Ducto Nasopalatino em face, assintomático, descoberto em exame imaginológico de rotina, biopsiado e enucleado cirurgicamente, com acompanhamento de 5 anos sem recidiva. Considerações finais: É evidente, portanto, que a literatura ainda não é unânime quanto ao aspecto epidemiológico, contudo, se reafirma a forma de abordagem cirúrgica excisional como tratamento eficaz definitivo. Faz-se necessária, portanto, a análise clínica, imaginológica e histopatológica para a confirmação diagnóstica da lesão. A observação de tais aspectos é de fundamental importância para um tratamento eficaz e definitivo, reduzindo as chances de recidiva... (AU)

Introduction: The nasopalatine duct cyst is a non-odontogenic lesion with controversial etiology. However, irritating factors, such as local trauma and bacterial infections, can stimulate the epithelial remnant of the nasopalatine duct, leading to a cystic formation. Its predilection occurs in adult men between the fourth and sixth decades. It is usually asymptomatic, being detected by routine examination. Objectives: To present and discuss a case of cyst of the Nasopalatine duct, analyzing the clinical and imaging aspects of the pathology in the face, comparing it with data from the current literature. Case Report: As a result, this article presents the approach of a surgical case of Nasopalatine Ducto cyst in the face, asymptomatic, discovered in a routine imaging exam, biopsied and surgically enucleated, with a 5-year follow-up without recurrence. Final considerations: It is evident, therefore, that the literature is not yet unanimous in terms of the epidemiological aspect, however, the form of excisional surgical approach as a definitive effective treatment is reaffirmed. Therefore, clinical, imaging and histopathological analysis is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of the lesion. The observation of such aspects is of fundamental importance for an effective and definitive treatment, reducing the chances of recurrence... (AU)

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Fiber-in-tube solid-phase microextraction (fiber-in-tube SPME) with short capillary longitudinally packed with fine fibers as extraction device allows direct coupling to high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems to determine weakly volatile or thermally labile compounds. This technique associates the advantages of miniaturized and analytical on-line systems. Major achievements include the use of different capillaries (fused-silica, copper, stainless steel, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), or poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE)) that are packed with neat fibers (Zylon®, silk, or Kevlar 29®) or fibers (stainless steel, basalt, or carbon) functionalized with selective coatings (aerogels, ionic liquids (ILs), polymeric ionic liquids (PILs), molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), layered double hydroxides (LDHs), or conducting polymer). This review outlines the fundamental theory and the innovative extraction materials for fiber-in-tube SPME-HPLC systems and highlights their main applications in environmental and bioanalyses.

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In-tube solid-phase microextraction with a capillary column as extraction device can be directly coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography systems (HPLC). The in-tube solid-phase microextraction technique has been continuously developed since it was introduced in 1997. New couplings have also been evaluated on the basis of state-of-the-art HPLC instruments. Different types of capillaries (wall-coated open tubular, porous layer open tubular, sorbent-packed, porous monolithic rods, or fiber-packed) with selective stationary phases (monoliths, magnetic nanoparticles, conducting polymers, restricted access materials, ionic liquids, carbon, deep eutectic solvents, and hybrid materials) have been developed to boost in-tube solid-phase microextraction performance (sorption capacity and selectivity). This technique has been successfully applied to analyze biological samples (serum, plasma, whole blood, hair, urine, milk, skin, and saliva) for therapeutic drug monitoring, to study biomarkers, to detect illicit drugs, to conduct metabolomics studies, and to assess exposure to drugs. This review describes current advances in in-tube solid-phase microextraction extraction devices and their application in bioanalysis.

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Drug repositioning has been an important ally in the search for new antifungal drugs. Statins are drugs that act to prevent sterol synthesis in both humans and fungi and for this reason they are promissory candidates to be repositioned to treat mycoses. In this study we evaluated the antifungal activity of atorvastatin by in vitro tests to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration against azole resistant Candida albicans and its mechanisms of action. Moreover, the efficacy of both atorvastatin-loaded oral and vaginal emulgels (0.75%, 1.5% and 3% w/w) was evaluated by means of in vivo experimental models of oral and vulvovaginal candidiasis, respectively. The results showed that atorvastatin minimal inhibitory concentration against C. albicans was 31.25 µg/ml. In oral candidiasis experiments, the group treated with oral emulgel containing 3.0% atorvastatin showcased total reduction in fungal load after nine days of treatment. Intravaginal delivery atorvastatin emulgel showed considerable effectiveness at the concentration of 3% (65% of fungal burden reduction) after nine days of treatment. From these findings, it is possible to assert that atorvastatin may be promising for drug repositioning towards the treatment of these opportunistic mycoses.

Atorvastatin is a statin drug that presents antifungal activity. This study showed that atorvastatin-containing oral and vaginal emulgels were able to treat vulvovaginal and oral candidiasis of infected animal model. Therefore, we showcased that atorvastatin may be a possible therapeutic agent in order to be a used to control opportunistic mucosal fungal infections caused by Candida albicans.

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resumo A pandemia da COVID-19 afetou diversas atividades humanas, tais como práticas de medições antropométricas, desde o campo clínico e de pesquisa até o campo do ensino. Dada a falta de vacinas e/ou medicamentos eficazes contra a COVID-19, a Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) recomendou medidas de prevenção e enfrentamento da doença. Essas recomendações foram posteriormente endossadas pela Sociedade Internacional para o Avanço da Cineantropometria/ International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK), com adaptações às rotinas antropométricas, que complementamos para aplicação abrangente nos diversos segmentos de atuação da antropometria. Este ponto de vista visa enfatizar e contribuir às considerações de segurança das rotinas antropométricas em um mundo pós-COVID-19. Entende-se aqui que o protocolo de biossegurança apresentado neste ponto de vista para retorno e continuidade das atividades antropométricas, no mundo inteiro, independentemente da formação/ capacitação/ atuação profissional, no que diz respeito à vida e às comunidades, também pode ter aplicação recorrente no combate a outros patógenos respiratórios semelhantes para se transformarem em pandemias no futuro. Sugere-se o desenvolvimento de vídeos demonstrativos das recomendações deste ponto de vista para reforçar as boas práticas higiênico-sanitárias a serem adotadas pelos profissionais da antropometria na realização das medições do corpo humano.

abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has affected several human activities such as anthropometrics measures practices, from the clinical and research fields to the teaching field. Given the lack of effective vaccines and/or drugs against COVID-19, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended taking measures to prevent and cope with the disease. These recommendations were subsequently endorsed by the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK), with adaptations to anthropometric routines, which were made to enable comprehensive application in several anthropometry segments. This point of view aims to emphasize and contribute to security considerations about anthropometric routines in the post-COVID-19 world. It is herein understood that the biosafety protocol presented under this point of view to enable the return and continuation of anthropometric activities, worldwide, regardless of professional training/ qualification/ performance, with respect to life and communities, may also have recurring application to fight other respiratory pathogens with similar potential to turn into pandemics in the future. Demonstrative videos presenting these recommendations, based on this point of view, should be developed to help reinforcing the good hygienic-sanitary practices to be adopted by anthropometry professionals who carry out human body measurements.

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Este ensaio objetiva abordar a relação entre esporte e a questão racial, com reflexo nas práticas profissionais das Ciências do Esporte. Consideramos que essa relação é deturpada por estereótipos até os dias atuais com explicações pseudo-científicas, reducionismos filosóficos, teóricos e operacionais, inválidos e insustentáveis nas suas apropriações, porém raramente são desafiados de forma eficaz. Sugerimos o desenvolvimento de um trabalho orientado por princípios inclusivistas que permitam uma pedagogia do corpo no esporte, produzida no interior das relações sociais, com ações mais abrangentes e preocupadas com a diversidade humana.

This essay aims to discuss the relationship between sport and the racial question, with reflection on the professional practices of Sport Sciences. We consider this relationship to be distorted by stereotypes to the present day with pseudo-scientific explanations, philosophical, theoretical and operational reductions, invalid and unsustainable in their appropriations, but rarely are effectively challenged. We suggest a shift of conceptions to the development of a work guided by the principles of coeducation and regionalism, with integration/inclusion and situations of respect, that allows a pedagogy of the body in the sport, produced within social relations, with more comprehensive and preoccupied actions with human diversity.

Este ensayo tiene el objetivo abordar la relación entre deporte y la cuestión racial, con reflejo en las prácticas profesionales de las Ciencias del Deporte. Consideramos que esta relación es distorsionada por estereotipos hasta los días actuales con explicaciones pseudo-científicas, reduccionismos filosóficos, teóricos y operativos, inválidos e insostenibles en sus apropiaciones, pero rara vez son desafiados de forma eficaz. Se sugiere un desplazamiento de concepciones para el desarrollo de un trabajo orientado por los principios de la coeducación y regionalismo, con integración/inclusión y situaciones de respeto, que permita una pedagogía del cuerpo en el deporte, producida en el interior de las relaciones sociales, con acciones más amplias y preocupadas con la diversidad humana.

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To achieve high separation power of complex samples using multidimensional gas chromatography (MDGC), the selectivity of the employed stationary phases is crucial. The nonpolar × polar column combination remains the most popular column set used in MDGC. However, resolution of mixtures containing light analytes possessing very similar properties remains a formidable challenge. The development of stationary phases that offer unique separation mechanisms have the potential to significantly improve MDGC separations, particularly in resolving coeluting peaks in complex samples. For the first time, a stationary phase containing silver(I) ions was successfully designed and employed as a second-dimension column using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC) for the separation of mixtures containing alkynes, dienes, terpenes, esters, aldehydes, and ketones. Compared with a widely used nonpolar and polar column set, the silver-based column exhibited superior performance by providing better chromatographic resolution of coeluting compounds. A mixture of unsaturated fatty acids was successfully separated using a GC × GC method in which the elution order in the second dimension was highly dependent on the number of double bonds within the analytes.

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This manuscript describes the development of wall-coated open tubular capillary column with polymeric ionic liquids (PILs) for on-line in-tube solid phase microextraction coupled with ultra high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (in-tube SPME/UHPLC-MS/MS) to determine anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2 A G) in plasma samples. Selective PILs were synthetized from the [VC6IM][Cl], [VC16IM][Br], and [(VIM)2C10]2 [Br] - ionic liquids - by in-situ thermal-initiated polymerization in a fused silica capillary column for in-tube SPME. The synthesis procedure was optimized, and the capillary columns were characterized using spectroscopic and chromatography techniques. The chemically bonded and cross-linked PIL-based sorbent phase (thickness coating: 1.7 µm) presented high chemical and mechanical stability. Among the sorbents evaluated, the PIL-based capillary, [VC16IM][Br]/[(VIM)2C10]2 [Br] presented the best performance with a sorption capacity of 37,311 ng cm-3 and 48,307 ng cm-3 for AEA and 2 A G, respectively. This capillary was reused more than ninety times without significant changes in extraction efficiency. The in-tube SPME-UHPLC-MS/MS method presented a linear range from 0.1 ng mL-1 to 100 ng mL-1 for AEA, and from 0.05 ng mL-1 to 100 ng mL-1 for 2 A G, with coefficients of determination higher than 0.99, p-value for Lack-of-fit test higher than 0.05 (α of 0.05), precision with coefficient of variation (CV) values ranging from 1.6 to 14.0% and accuracy with relative standard deviation (RSD) values from -19.6% to 13.2%. This method was successfully applied to determine AEA and 2 A G in plasma patients with Parkinson's disease. The concentrations in these plasma samples ranged from 0.14 to 0.46 ng mL-1 for AEA and from <0.05 ng mL-1 to 0.51 ng mL-1 for 2-AG.

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Endocannabinoids (ECs) are endogenous lipid-based retrograde neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors [cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) and cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2)]. Many ECs have been characterized; anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) are still considered the primary ECs signaling mediators. Dysregulation of ECs has been implicated in a wide range of pathologies, including neurodegenerative diseases. Understanding how ECs participate in neurological diseases is important to describe the pathology and to establish new treatments. Considering the physicochemical properties of ECs, liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry has become the reference method to determine these endogenous substances, in trace levels, in different biological samples. This review describes the recent advances in LC-MS/MS methods designed to determine ECs in complex biological matrixes. The advantages, limitations, selectivity, matrix effect, and sensitivity associated with each approach are emphasized. This article comprises three sections: (I) sample preparation techniques (conventional, microextraction, and online systems), (II) chromatographic methods (especially LC-MS/MS), and (III) relationship between ECs levels and neurodegenerative diseases.

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BACKGROUND: Bisphenol A (BPA) is released from orthodontic composites used for bracket bonding. Genetic variations could modify the metabolism of this chemical within the organism. Considering that free BPA binds to estrogen receptors causing harmful effects to health, the present in vivo study aimed to evaluate the association between genetic polymorphisms in genes encoding estrogen receptors (ESR1 and ESR2) and excreted BPA levels in orthodontic patients. METHODS: Quantification of BPA levels in the urine of 16 patients was performed in a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer before (T0), at 24 h (T1), and 1 week (T2) after bracket bonding. DNA was extracted from saliva, and one genetic polymorphism in ESR1 (rs2234693) and two in ESR2 (rs4986938 and rs1256049) were analyzed by real-time PCR. Increases in BPA levels in the urine at T1 and T2 were grouped according to the genotype, and mean differences were compared by unpaired T test or Mann-Whitney test according to the normality of the data. The established alpha was 5%. RESULTS: BPA levels increased significantly at T1 and T2. There were no statistically significant differences in the increases in BPA levels according to the genotype for any genetic polymorphism (P > 0.05), at neither 24 h nor 1 week after bracket bonding. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that there are no association between excreted BPA levels after bracket bonding and the evaluated genetic polymorphisms in ESR1 and ESR2. Further research should be performed in order to confirm these results.

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Parabens have been widely used as antimicrobial preservatives in food, drugs, and cosmetics for over 60 years. These endocrine disruptors can alter both the wildlife and the human hormone function. Determining these compounds in human milk is important because breast milk plays an important role in infant growth and in neurocognitive development. This article summarizes the current state-of-the-art of chromatographic methods to determine parabens in breast milk samples. Apart from the conventional and modern microextraction sample preparation techniques described herein, the authors discuss the chromatographic systems, primarily LC-MS/MS, and the concentration ranges at which parabens have been detected in milk samples obtained from lactating women over the past few years.

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This study aimed to describe BMI's short-term trends and analyze the association between the Body Mass Index (BMI) and the sociodemographic variables and variables of family perception of the sufficiency and type of food consumed by Brazilian elderly of both sexes. The authors used data from the Household Budget Surveys (HBS) collected by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) in 2002/03 and 2008/09. The prevalence of overweight and obesity increased, whereas normal and low weight decreased. Multinomial regression models were used for 2008/09 to analyze the association between BMI and sociodemographic variables and variables of family perception of the sufficiency and type of food intake. Income and age were more associated with BMI. We suggest that health and nutrition prevention and monitoring measures be implemented through public policies, considering multifactorial overweight in the Brazilian elderly.

O objetivo foi descrever a evolução de curto prazo do índice de massa corporal (IMC) e analisar a associação entre este e variáveis sociodemográficas e de percepção familiar sobre a suficiência e o tipo dos alimentos consumidos em idosos brasileiros de ambos os sexos. Utilizaram-se dados das Pesquisas de Orçamentos Familiares (POF) coletados pelo Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE), em 2002/03 e em 2008/09. As prevalências de sobrepeso e obesidade aumentaram, e as de peso adequado e baixo peso diminuíram. Utilizaram-se modelos de regressão multinomial para 2008/09, a fim de analisar a associação entre o IMC e as características sociodemográficas e de percepção familiar sobre a suficiência e o tipo dos alimentos consumidos. Renda e idade se apresentaram mais associadas ao IMC. Sugere-se medidas de prevenção e monitoramento de saúde e nutrição por meio de políticas públicas, considerando a multifatorialidade do excesso de peso em idosos brasileiros.

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