A sensitive, selective, and rapid ultra-performance LC (UPLC)/MSIMS method was validated for the confirmation and quantification of clonazepam in human plasma. The analyte was extracted from human ...plasma with diethyl ether, reaching an average recovery of 64.02 and 66.48% for clonazepam and the internal standard, respectively. The separation was performed on a Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 column (50 x 2.1 mm id, 1.7 microm particle size) with gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.25 mL/min using a 0.5% formic acid solution (mobile phase A) and acetonitrile-methanol-formic acid (75+25 + 0.5, v/v/v; mobile phase B). Detection was performed on a triple-quadruple tandem mass spectrometer in the multiple reaction monitoring mode via electrospray ionization. Linear calibration curves were obtained in the concentration range of 0.3-50.0 ng/mL, with an LOQ of 0.3 ng/mL. The intraday and interday precision (CV) values were below 10%, and accuracy (relative error) ranged from -2.6 to 6.6% at all QC levels. The suggested method was successfully applied for the determination of clonazepam in human plasma in a bioequivalence study.
Abstract Background The S100B protein is considered a biochemical marker for brain injuries. However, our group demonstrated that the isolated rat heart releases S100B. In this study, we investigated ...the serum levels of S100B in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients to evaluate its levels in heart disease. Methods and Results We selected DCM patients, excluding any condition that could influence S100B serum levels. Control individuals were sex and age matched. Both groups were submitted to clinical evaluation and echocardiography. We measured the S100B and NT-proBNP serum levels (expressed as median interquartile range). NT-proBNP levels in patients group (1462 pg/mL 426–3591) were higher than in controls (35 pg/mL 29–55), P < .001. S100B serum levels were higher in patients group (0.051 μg/L 0.022–0.144) than in controls (0.017 μg/L 0.003–0.036), P = .009. Additionally, we found a positive correlation between S100B and NT-proBNP serum levels only in patients group (Spearman's coefficient r = 0.534; P = .013). Conclusions Although we cannot rule out the influence of S100B from brain, the positive correlation between S100B and NT-proBNP levels in DCM patients points to the myocardium as the main source for the rise in S100B serum levels.
A proteína S100B é considerada um marcador bioquímico para lesão cerebral. Entretanto, foi demonstrado que há liberação de S100B em coração isolado de rato. Neste estudo, investigou-se os níveis ...séricos de S100B em pacientes portadores de cardiomiopatia dilatada (CMD). Métodos e Resultados: Foram selecionados 21 pacientes com CMD, excluindo qualquer condição que pudesse influenciar os níveis séricos de S100B. O grupo controle foi composto por 21 indivíduos pareados por sexo e idade. Ambos os grupos foram submetidos à avaliação clínica, ecocardiográfica, mensuração da proteína S100B e de NT-proBNP (expressos como mediana variação interquartil). Os níveis de NT-proBNP no grupo de pacientes (1462 pg/ml 426 - 3591) foram maiores do que no grupo controle (35 pg/ml 29 - 55); P<0.001. Os níveis de S100B foram maiores no grupo de pacientes (0.051µg/L 0.022 - 0.144) do que no grupo controle (0.017µg/L 0.003 - 0.036); P=0.009. Houve correlação positiva entre os níveis séricos de S100B e NT-proBNP somente no grupo de pacientes (Coeficiente de Spearman r=0.534; P=0.013). Conclusão: A proteína S100B está aumentada na CMD. Embora não possamos excluir a influência de dano cerebral, houve uma correlação positiva entre os níveis séricos de S100B e NT-proBNP em pacientes com CMD
The S100B protein is considered a biochemical marker for brain injuries. However, the isolated rat heart releases S100B. In this study, the serum levels of S100B was investigated in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients in order to evaluate its levels in heart disease. Methods and Results: It was selected DCM patients, excluding any condition that could influence S100B serum levels. Control individuals were sex and age matched. Both groups were submitted to clinical evaluation and echocardiography. The S100B and NT-proBNP serum levels (expressed as median interquartile range) were measured. NT-proBNP levels in patients group (1462 pg/ml 426 - 3591) were higher than in controls (35 pg/ml 29 - 55); P<0.001. S100B serum levels were higher in patients group (0.051µg/L 0.022 - 0.144) than in controls (35 pg/ml 29 - 55); P<0.001. S100B serum levels were higher in patients group (0.051µg/L 0.022 - 0.144) than in controls (0.017µg/L 0.003 - 0.036); P=0.009. Additionally, a positive correlation between S100B and NT-proBNP serum levels only in patients group (Spearman\'s coefficient r=0.534; P=0.013) was found . Conclusions: Although the influence of S100B from brain cannot rule out, the positive correlation between S100B and NT-proBNP levels in DCM patients points to the myocardium as the main source for the rise in S100B serum levels
To investigate coping strategies used by patients submitted to heart transplantation and whether they are related to the perception of the disease and transplantation.
Cross-sectional study with ...quantitative and qualitative analysis. The sample of 32 patients was assessed by the Ways of Coping Scale and socio-demographic questionnaire, and five of them were selected for interviews. The internal consistency of the scale was assessed, the variables and strategies involved were crossed and content analysis of interviews, investigating the existence of a relationship with the speech of the participants.
The individuals have used all coping styles, with a predominance of the problem-focused strategy. Psychologically prepared patients showed a statistically significant increase in the use of problem-focused coping and seek for social support. However, a significant increase in the use of emotion-focused coping was observed in patients who were not prepared. Analysis through the method of Bardin showed as categories: disease; reaction to call; transplantation; fantasies; postoperative; team and coping.
Patients with a transplanted heart make use of all coping strategies, with a predominance of the problem-focused strategy. Psychologically prepared individuals used more active coping strategies, which highlights the importance of psychological support during the process.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate coping strategies used by patients submitted to heart transplantation and whether they are related to the perception of the disease and transplantation. METHODS: ...Cross-sectional study with quantitative and qualitative analysis. The sample of 32 patients was assessed by the Ways of Coping Scale and socio-demographic questionnaire, and five of them were selected for interviews. The internal consistency of the scale was assessed, the variables and strategies involved were crossed and content analysis of interviews, investigating the existence of a relationship with the speech of the participants. RESULTS: The individuals have used all coping styles, with a predominance of the problem-focused strategy. Psychologically prepared patients showed a statistically significant increase in the use of problem-focused coping and seek for social support. However, a significant increase in the use of emotion-focused coping was observed in patients who were not prepared. Analysis through the method of Bardin showed as categories: disease; reaction to call; transplantation; fantasies; postoperative; team and coping. CONCLUSION: Patients with a transplanted heart make use of all coping strategies, with a predominance of the problem-focused strategy. Psychologically prepared individuals used more active coping strategies, which highlights the importance of psychological support during the process.OBJETIVOS: Verificar as estratégias de enfrentamento utilizadas por indivíduos que tiveram o coração transplantado e suas relações com percepção da doença e do transplante. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com análise quantitativa e qualitativa. A amostra de 32 pacientes foi avaliada pela Escala Modos de Enfretamento de Problemas e questionário sociodemográfico; e cinco deles foram sorteados para entrevista. Realizou-se a avaliação da consistência interna da escala, cruzamentos entre as variáveis e os estilos de enfrentamento e a análise de conteúdo das entrevistas, relacionando os resultados ao discurso dos participantes. RESULTADOS: Os indivíduos utilizaram todos os estilos de enfrentamento, predominando o focalizado no problema. Nos participantes que receberam preparo psicológico, houve aumento estatisticamente significativo dos enfrentamentos focalizados no problema e na busca de suporte social. Entretanto, naqueles que não receberam preparo, houve aumento significativo da utilização do enfrentamento focalizado na emoção. Através do método de Bardin, revelaram-se como categorias: doença, reação ao chamado, transplante, fantasias, pós-operatório, equipe e enfrentamento. CONCLUSÕES: Os participantes utilizaram todos os estilos de enfrentamento, predominando a estratégia focalizada no problema. Os que receberam preparo psicológico usaram maior número de estratégias de enfrentamento ativas, o que evidencia a importância do acompanhamento psicológico durante o processo.
A 14-year-old female patient became pregnant 6 years after heart transplantation. The pregnancy evolved uneventfully, and the newborn infant was healthy. Five months after delivery, the mother was in ...good condition with preserved ventricular function, and the baby had normal neuro-psychomotor development. Even though the case reported here was a success, pregnancy following cardiac transplantation is considered a high-risk condition and remains contraindicated.
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