Emerging responses to the COVID-19 crisis from family farming and the agroecology movement in Latin America - A rediscovery of food, farmers and collective action.

CONTEXT: In Latin America, the so-called informal sector associated with family farming and the agroecology movements were instrumental at coping with and adapting to the COVID-19 challenges. OBJECTIVE: To assess the nature and extent of the early initiatives (first three months) deployed by this informal sector to cope with and adapt to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on food production and consumption in several countries of the region. METHODS: We used key used informant consultation (n = 168), an online survey (n = 125) and the detailed characterisation of regional case studies (n = 4). Textual data was analysed and categorised using Reinert's method, combined with similarity analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: 65% of the initiatives were 'local' in terms of geographic reach, 30% of them started within the first month after the pandemic and most of them were urban or urban-rural, whereas only 29% of them were exclusively rural. The analysis of the textual information captured through the survey revealed four major types of initiatives that were deployed or adapted in response to COVID-19:1.Direct producer-to-consumer food sales, generally existing before the COVID-19 crisis but adapted/strengthened to cope with it;2.Short value chains that linked rural and urban organisations and individuals supported by national or local governments, readapted through new health and safety protocols;3.Newly developed support and training programs on sustainable food production for self-consumption or local commerce, in rural, urban or peri-urban settings;4.Food assistance and aid initiatives focusing on vulnerable populations, relying on solidarity networks associated with the agroecological movement. SIGNIFICANCE: The pandemic highlighted the key role played by local food systems and value chains and the need to strengthening them through public policies, as a way to build food resilience in times of crisis.

Permanent genetic resources added to molecular ecology resources database 1 October 2012-30 November 2012.

This article documents the addition of 153 microsatellite marker loci to the Molecular Ecology Resources Database. Loci were developed for the following species: Brassica oleracea, Brycon amazonicus, Dimorphandra wilsonii, Eupallasella percnurus, Helleborus foetidus, Ipomoea purpurea, Phrynops geoffroanus, Prochilodus argenteus, Pyura sp., Sylvia atricapilla, Teratosphaeria suttonii, Trialeurodes vaporariorum and Trypanosoma brucei. These loci were cross-tested on the following species: Dimorphandra coccicinea, Dimorphandra cuprea, Dimorphandra gardneriana, Dimorphandra jorgei, Dimorphandra macrostachya, Dimorphandra mollis, Dimorphandra parviflora and Dimorphandra pennigera.

Neutrophil count is not associated with infection episodes in breast cancer patients treated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy.

The aim was to evaluate the impact of anthracycline-based chemotherapy on neutrophil count and infections in breast cancer women. The medical records of patients were retrospectively and prospectively reviewed (8-year period). Patients were grouped according to anthracyclines at different doses: (1) Scheme 1 (n = 56, 224 courses): 50-60 mg/m(2); and (2) Scheme 2 (n = 25, 100 courses): 65-75 mg/m(2), associated to cyclophosphamide and 5-fluorouracil, at 21-day intervals between courses. Neutrophil count was performed on diagnosis and 48-72 h before each chemotherapy course. Patients were followed up for neutrophil count and infection episodes for three consecutive courses. Multivariate analysis was used to determine independent factors for infection. After the first course, neutrophil count was reduced than baseline (P < 0.001) and maintained during the subsequent courses, without differences between courses or groups. There were 49 infection episodes (63.2% urinary, 18.4% neutropenic fever and 18.4% diverses), mainly between course 1-2 (39%) and course 3-4 (38%) of chemotherapy. Patients evaluated as presenting or not with infection episodes did not differ in neutrophil count. The number of chemotherapy courses (P < 0.05), but not age, neutrophil count or chemotherapy regimen, was associated with infection. We concluded that progressive chemotherapy, but not neutrophil count, was an independent factor for infection.

Accidental injection with sodium hypochlorite: report of a case.

AIM: A case is reported in which sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) was mistaken for anaesthetic solution and infiltrated into the buccal mucosa during routine root canal treatment. SUMMARY: A 1.5% sodium hypochlorite solution, kept in an anaesthetic cartridge, was inadvertently injected in the buccal mucosa of a 56-year-old female during routine root canal treatment. Soft tissue necrosis, labial ptosis and paraesthesia occurred shortly after the injection. Tissues healed with scarring and lip paraesthesia persisted for 3 years. KEY LEARNING POINTS: * NaOCl is highly irritant when introduced into oral tissues. * NaOCl solutions should not be kept in anaesthetic cartridges. * Accidents with NaOCl should be carefully assessed and when appropriate active hospital treatment should be sought. * Early recognition of NaOCl accidents may avert potentially more serious outcomes.

Relationship between risk factors and tumor stage in breast cancer patients in a university hospital--Brazil.

PURPOSE: To verify the relationship between clinical variables and tumor stage in breast cancer. METHODS: This retrospective study (1998 to 2001) analyzed data of 176 women with breast cancer attending a university hospital. Patients were divided into groups according to the clinicopathological variables studied. RESULTS: The disease had a similar frequency at age under 50 years (44.3%) or above (55.7%) 50 years. Stage II was more frequent. Most patients were white (69.9%), non-smokers (69.3%) and were not using oral contraceptives (71%). Stages 0-II were mainly detected in the white (74.8%) vs non-white (60.4%) group. Monthly breast self-exams were performed by 62.5% of women, in which earlier stages (0, I) were more frequently detected than in those who did not perform self-exams (27.3% vs 12.1%, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Breast cancer occurred mainly in white women in Stage II, and with similar frequency at age under or over 50 years. Breast self-exam was associated with early detection of the disease.