Sulfonamides (SAs) are low-cost synthetic antimicrobials widely used in veterinary and human medicine to treat diseases and prevent infections. However, long periods of exposure to sulfonamides can cause adverse effects such as allergic reactions. This work aims to study dispersive solid-liquid microextraction as an alternative method for extracting total SAs in meat samples. The procedure uses a colorimetric reaction based on the formation of a pink compound (imine salt) to determine total sulfonamides (sulfamethazine, sulfadimethoxine, sulfathiazole) with digital measurements. A linear response was observed between 33-233 µg kg-1 for total sulfonamides, and the coefficient of variation (n = 11; 67 µg kg-1 of total SAs) and the limit of detection were estimated to be 0.63% and 10 µg kg-1, respectively. For a 750 mg meat sample, 0.11 mg of 4-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde, 2.60 mg of sodium dodecyl sulfate, and 275 µL of 1-butanol were consumed per sample, and consequently, generating only 335 µL of residue. Besides this, addition-recovery tests were performed, resulting in a 71-100% recovery range, indicating the trueness of the proposed method.

Soils with high levels of iron and aluminum, thus negatively the phosphorous availability, affecting crop yields. A prior determination of the soil capacity to adsorb phosphate is relevant to attaining good agricultural performance. To this end, a multi-pumping flow system with pulsed fluidization is proposed. The procedure takes into account the amount of remaining phosphorus (P-rem) in the solution after the adsorption step to indirectly estimate the soil retention capacity. A 1.0 mg L-1 P solution is passed through a fluidized bed column with 50 mg of soil (particles < 0.15 mm), where the analyte is adsorbed. P-rem was spectrophotometrically quantified by the molybdenum blue method. The coefficient of variation (n = 20), limits of detection and quantification (99.7% confidence level), and sampling rate were estimated as 1.54%, 17 and 51 µg L-1 P, and 87 h-1, respectively. Only 0.27 mg (NH4)6Mo7O24 and 0.10 mg SnCl2 were consumed per determination, generating 2.4 mL of waste. The results followed a linear relationship [y = 0.9702x + 1.483 (r = 0.9635; n = 20)] with the reference procedure. In comparison to the reference procedure, 100, 40 and 180-fold reductions in the required soil amount, waste generation and analytical time were attained.

Foram estudados 24 cavalos atletas hígidos, machos, adultos, da raça Puro Sangue Lusitano, submetidos a esforço físico de trote e galope de rotina do animal, com o objetivo de avaliar a configuração do traçado do eletrocardiograma (ECG) em repouso, mediante eletrocardiografia computadorizada, bem como os efeitos do exercício físico sobre os parâmetros clínicos e eletrocardiográficos destes animais. Foram avaliados exame físico e ritmo cardíaco antes e imediatamente após o exercício físico, assim como as distintas configurações de ondas p e complexos QRS, obtidas ao ECG de repouso. Após o treinamento, ocorreram taquicardia e taquipneia. O ritmo predominante no repouso foi o sinusal e, após o exercício, a taquicardia sinusal. Na morfologia das ondas, encontraram-se quatro configurações distintas para a onda p, e seis para o complexo QRS. Dentre as arritmias cardíacas em repouso, houve uma ocorrência de bloqueio atrioventricular de segundo grau, que desapareceu após exercício. Conclui-se que o traçado do ECG computadorizado de cavalos atletas Puro Sangue Lusitano revela distintas morfologias de ondas p e complexos QRS e baixa ocorrência de arritmias.

In order to assess the configuration of the electrocardiogram (ECG) at rest obtained through computerized electrocardiography and the effects of exercise on clinical and electrocardiographic parameters, 24 healthy male Pure-bred adult Lusitano horses submitted to daily trot and gallop training were studied. Physical evaluation and cardiac rhythm were evaluated before and immediately after exercise, as well the different p waves and QRS complexes, obtained from rest ECG. Tachycardia and tachypnea were observed after training. The predominant rest rhythm was sinus rhythm and, after exercise, sinus tachycardia. In the wave morphology, four distinct configurations were found for the p wave, and six different settings for the QRS complex. Second degree atrioventricular block was observed once during rest, and it disappeared after exercise. In conclusion, computerized ECG in Pure-bred Lusitano horses reveals distinct morphologies of p waves and QRS complexes, and cardiac arrhythmias were rare.

Avaliaram-se, por meio de exame clínico, hemogasométrico e eletrocardiográfico, os efeitos do salbutamol e do fenoterol, administrados por via inalatória em cães. Doze cães foram distribuídos em dois grupos: os do grupo FE receberam fenoterol na dose de 2 gotas/5kg de peso vivo, diluídas em solução de cloreto de sódio 0,9% por aparelho de inalação, e os do grupo SA receberam salbutamol pelo dosador de aerossol, na dose de 100mg. Foram avaliados: frequência cardíaca (FC), frequência respiratória (FR), temperatura retal (TR), pressão arterial sistólica (PAS), hemogasometria e eletrocardiograma antes e após 30min, duas horas e seis horas do uso dos fármacos. Discreta estimulação cardíaca ocorreu nos animais do grupo SA duas horas após sua administração em relação ao momento-controle, e tremores foram predominantes nestes animais. Diminuição da PAS e aumento da FR foram observados nos dois grupos, e não houve alteração significativa da onda T, da hemogasometria e do eletrocardiograma em ambos os grupos. O fenoterol provocou menor estimulação cardíaca e menos tremores comparado ao salbutamol, foi mais seguro e houve maior facilidade, menor custo e menor gasto de tempo na administração do salbutamol por inalador dosimetrado em relação ao fenoterol por nebulização.

Through physical examination, blood gas and the electrocardiographic effects of salbutamol and fenoterol, administered by inhalation in dogs was assessed. Twelve dogs were distributed into two groups: EF group animals received a fenoterol dose of 2 drops/5kg bodyweight, diluted in sodium chloride 0.9% inhalation device and animals in the SA group received salbutamol through aerosol feeder at a dose of 100µg. Rectal temperature (RT), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), blood gas and electrocardiogram before and after 30min., 2h and 6 h after drug were evaluated. Mild cardiac stimulation occurred in SA group animals 2 hours after its administration compared to the control group, and tremors were predominant in these animals. A decrease in SBP and an increase in RR were observed in both animal groups and no significant alteration of the T wave in the electrocardiogram and blood gas analysis in both groups were observed. The fenoterol caused less cardiac pacing and shivering compared to salbutamol, which was more secure. However, there was more ease, lower cost and less time spent in the administration of salbutamol administered through metered-dose inhaler compared to fenoterol nebulization.

Studies of cooking-generated NO2 effects are rare in occupational epidemiology. In the present study, we evaluated the lung function of professional cooks exposed to NO2 in hospital kitchens. We performed spirometry in 37 cooks working in four hospital kitchens and estimated the predicted FVC, FEV1 and FEF25-75, based on age, sex, race, weight, and height, according to Knudson standards. NO2 measurements were obtained for 4 consecutive days during 4 different periods at 20-day intervals in each kitchen. Measurements were performed inside and outside the kitchens, simultaneously using Palm diffusion tubes. A time/exposure indicator was defined as representative of the cumulative exposure of each cook. No statistically significant effect of NO2 exposure on FVC was found. Each year of work as a cook corresponded to a decrease in predicted FEV1 of 2.5% (P = 0.046) for the group as a whole. When smoking status and asthma were included in the analysis the effect of time/exposure decreased about 10% and lost statistical significance. On predicted FEF25-75, a decrease of 3.5% (P = 0.035) was observed for the same group and the inclusion of controllers for smoking status and asthma did not affect the effects of time/exposure on pulmonary function parameter. After a 10-year period of work as cooks the participants of the study may present decreases in both predicted FEV1 and FEF25-75 that can reach 20 and 30%, respectively. The present study showed small but statistically significant adverse effects of gas stove exposure on the lung function of professional cooks.

A new passive sampling system for monitoring NO2 in air has been developed to measure gas concentrations in indoor and outdoor air. The sampler is inexpensive, and easy to construct and operate. Nitrogen dioxide forms a derivative after reaction with a filter coated with triethanolamine and ethyleneglycol. The nitrogen dioxide derivative is extracted from the filter, and the concentration is determined by colorimetry. To test the sampler for measuring ambient level nitrogen dioxide, measurements were carried out inside homes and in a range of workplace environments.