Lung function in children residents in the largest coal region in Brazil.

Coal mining activities release harmful air pollutants, which affect children's health, particularly the lung function. Brazil has a large coal reserve in the southern region, where a coal-fired power plant and two coal mines are located. The study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of altered respiratory function and associated factors in children living in this region. A cross-sectional study was conducted in seven cities. It collected socioeconomic and demographic, prenatal and postnatal care, neonatal outcomes, child health information as well as lung function and air quality. The study included 396 children who lived in a high socio-environmental vulnerability due to low education levels and family income, high percentage of unemployed and families with a high bedroom density. There was a high prevalence of preterm birth, low birth weight and long-term exposure to environmental conditions. The most common respiratory problem in the parents was rhinitis, while in the children was wheezing and pneumonia. The prevalence of respiratory function alteration in the region was 7.78%. Variables associated with altered respiratory function were passive smoking, low birth weight, history of wheezing. The concentration of pollutants was equivalent when comparing stations within the coal mining host town (Candiota) and surrounding towns.

A study protocol for a randomized clinical trial on exposure and effects of pesticides consumption - the PEST-EXPO Brazil study.

Randomized clinical trials are considered the gold standard for studies with dietary interventions, which is mainly due to the fact that they can establish causal relationships between food exposure and body composition measures or biomarkers. The aim of this study was to describe the details of a double-blind, randomized, clinical trial protocol to identify, characterize and evaluate the effects of human dietary exposure to pesticide residues in food. Specific aspects of planning (development of a research question, determination of objectives, selection of participants, randomization and blinding) and performance (recruitment of participants, measures to improve adherence, data collection, follow-up and evaluation of results) are addressed in this study. The study design proved effective in characterizing dietary patterns with foods originating from both conventional and organic agriculture. A total of 148 individuals were recruited for the study. The conventional group was represented by 47 % of the sample and the organic group was represented by 53 %. The practice of evidence-based nutrition has demanded that trials be well designed and systematically performed in the field of clinical nutrition. Therefore, this clinical trial emphasizes the importance of improving studies with toxicological nutrition that assess sources of exposure through food.•This double-blind, randomized clinical trial details the protocol for identifying, characterizing, and evaluating the effects of dietary exposure to pesticide residues.•The protocol demonstrates that well-designed and systematically conducted trials emphasize the importance of robust methodologies in evidence-based nutrition.•In the face of the global climate crisis, this clinical trial underscores the importance of enhancing studies in toxicological nutrition, particularly those evaluating sources of exposure through food, to better understand the dietary impacts on health.

Human health risk assessment of air pollutants in the largest coal mining area in Brazil.

The Candiota region, located in the extreme south of Brazil, has the largest mineral coal deposit in the country, and this activity is capable of releasing pollutants in which they are associated with the contamination of different matrices (soil, water, and air). The present study aimed to carry out a risk assessment to human health of atmospheric pollutants NO2 and SO2 and PM10-bound metal(loid)s in the municipality of Candiota, in addition to evaluating the correlation of meteorological parameters for the dynamics and potential risk of these pollutants. Pollutants were sampled from stations located almost 4 km from coal exploration activities, and the trace elements As, Cd, Se, Pb, and Ni, in addition to NO2 and SO2, were evaluated. Risk assessment was conducted taking into account the risk to adults via the inhalation route. During the sampling period, all pollutants presented values lower than national legislation or internationally accepted values, and Pb was the element that presented the highest values throughout the sampled period. The risk assessment showed no carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks, even when considering the sum of the risk of all analyzed pollutants. It can be observed that the highest levels of Pb, As, and Se occurred in the winter season, while the levels of Ni and Cd were higher in the spring, and the meteorological parameters were correlated with the pollutants, even using a temporal lag of 5 days. Although the air pollutants evaluated did not present a risk to human health, continuous monitoring of regions with strong mineral exploration activity must be carried out with a view to maintaining the well-being of exposed populations, mainly because there are people living in areas closer to sources of coal pollution than distance to air quality monitoring stations.

Oxidative damage in the Vesper mouse (Calomys laucha) exposed to a simulated oil spill-a multi-organ study.

Small wild mammals have been used to measure the damage caused by exposure to oil-contaminated soil, including deer mice. However, the study of toxic effects of crude oil using oxidative damage biomarkers in the wild rodent Calomys laucha (Vesper mouse) is absent. This investigation aimed to evaluate the effects of acute exposure to contaminated soil with different concentrations of crude oil (0, 1, 2, 4 and 8% w/w), simulating an accidental spill, using oxidative stress biomarkers in the liver, kidneys, lungs, testes, paw muscle, and lymphocytes of C. laucha. Animals exposed to the contaminated soil showed increases in lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation at the highest exposure concentrations in most organ homogenates analyzed and also in blood cells, but responses to total antioxidant capacity were tissue-dependent. These results showed that acute exposure to oil-contaminated soil caused oxidative damage in C. laucha and indicate these small mammals may be susceptible to suffer the impacts of such contamination in its occurrence region, threatening the species' survival.

Emissions monitoring and carcinogenic risk assessment of PM10-bounded PAHs in the air from Candiota's coal activity area, Brazil.

The city of Candiota contains a great amount of coal resources. Coal activities, including coal combustion, are major releasers of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The PAHs are considered priority air pollutants regarding their large carcinogenic potential. So, the carcinogenic risk assessment of populations living near areas with PAH sources is mandatory. This study aimed to evaluate the carcinogenic health risk of the PAH inhalation exposure of individuals living in Candiota City. A total of 158 individuals were enrolled in the study. Monitoring of PAH and meteorological parameters were carried out, and the health risk assessment was determined through the benzo(a)pyrene equivalent toxic equivalent quotient (BaP-TEQ) and the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) estimation. The coal activity area of Candiota demonstrated an annual PAH concentration of 27.7 ng/m3, PM10 concentration of 26.3 µg/m3, SO2 concentration of 9.5 µg/m3, a BaP-TEQ value of 0.3 ng/m3, and a daily inhalation of 62.4 ng/day. The comparison among seasons showed no difference in PAH concentration and BaP-TEQ. It was observed ILCR values of 2.8 × 10-6 and 2.6 × 10-6 for estimation based on reference and real values, respectively, and these levels were above the reference limit of 10-6, indicating cancer risk. Therefore, an epidemiological survey of cancer cases in the region and its relationship with environmental exposure and air pollutants levels must be required.

Multimarker approach to assess the exposure of the wild rodent Calomys laucha to a simulated crude oil spill.

A mysterious oil spill occurred in the ocean near Brazil in 2019, which affected coastal areas in northeastern Brazil. When oil pollution occurs in coastal zones, organisms such as small mammals can suffer deleterious effects to their health. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of exposure to contaminated sandy soil with different crude oil concentrations in males of the species Calomys laucha. The exposure to crude oil resulted in multiple health issues for the subjects in the very first days of exposure. Furthermore, the exposure resulted in mutagenic damage to bone marrow blood cells and behavioral and morphological alterations, which were almost always in a dose-dependent form. The present study demonstrates the sensibility of the biomarkers used and highlights that small wild mammals such as C. laucha are useful for predicting environmental damage caused by the exposure to crude oil.

Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects of the Microalga Pediastrum boryanum in Carrageenan-Induced Rat Paw Edema

Abstract The potential use of microalgae in health has been the aim of different studies in the last years. This study investigated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of three different extracts of green microalga Pediastrum boryanum in an acute inflammation model in rats. Rats were treated intraperitoneally with lyophilized biomass, the phenolic compounds and the extracellular extracts of P. boryanum before the induction of paw edema by the intraplantar injection of carrageenan. The edema and the levels of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α were determined in the hind paw. Oxidative stress markers were analyzed in the liver and hepatic toxicity and genetic damage was evaluated in the blood. The results demonstrated that the three extracts of P. boryanum exhibited pronounced anti-oedematous property and decreased the levels of cytokines. The best results were provided by the phenolic compounds extract, that contains gallic, chlorogenic, protocathecuic and vanillic acid. A reduction in lipid peroxidation was observed after the treatment with lyophilized biomass and the extracellular extract improved the total antioxidant capacity of the liver. Moreover, no DNA damage and hepatic toxicity were observed after administration of P. boryanum extracts. In conclusion, these results suggest that P. boryanum can be an important source of anti-inflammatory compounds.

Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of cellular and extracellular extracts from microalga Chlamydomonas pumilioniformis on mice

Microalga species have attracted interest as a source of bioactive compounds with several pharmacological activities. Previous studies reported that microalgae from the genus Chlamydomonas have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In this study, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of two extracts from microalga Chlamydomonas pumilioniformis were investigated. Cellular and extracellular extracts were prepared from a 14 day-batch culture in WC medium at the end of exponential growth and their carbohydrate contents were determined. Antinociceptive effects of extracts were evaluated by writhing and formalin-induced nociception tests, while the anti-inflammatory activity was analyzed by formalin-induced paw edema in mice. The analysis of dissolved carbohydrates detected amounts of 90 and 20 µg mL-1 of total carbohydrate in cellular and extracellular extracts, respectively. Cellular extract was mainly composed of glucose, but with significant proportions of arabinose, galactose and mannose and/or xylose and minor ones of fucose, rhamnose, amino sugars and uronic acids. Extracellular extract was composed of a similar proportion of glucose, galactose and mannose/xylose, besides significant ones of arabinose, fucose and galacturonic acid. Intraperitoneal administration of extracts significantly reduced writhing response in mice. In the formalin test, the extracellular extract inhibited both formalin phases, while the cellular extract was only effective in the late phase. Furthermore, extracts reduced the formalin-induced paw edema. In sum, we showed, for the first time, that C. pumilioniformis can be an important source of polysaccharides with anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects.

Resveratrol Derivatives as Potential Treatments for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease.

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the progressive loss of neurons in different regions of the nervous system. Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are the two most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases, and the symptoms associated with these pathologies are closely related to the regions that are most affected by the process of neurodegeneration. Despite their high prevalence, currently, there is no cure or disease-modifying drugs for the treatment of these conditions. In the last decades, due to the need for the development of new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, several authors have investigated the neuroprotective actions of naturally occurring molecules, such as resveratrol. Resveratrol is a stilbene found in several plants, including grapes, blueberries, raspberries, and peanuts. Studies have shown that resveratrol presents neuroprotective actions in experimental models of AD and PD, however, its clinical application is limited due to its rapid metabolism and low bioavailability. In this context, studies have proposed that structural changes in the resveratrol molecule, including glycosylation, alkylation, halogenation, hydroxylation, methylation, and prenylation could lead to the development of derivatives with enhanced bioavailability and pharmacological activity. Therefore, this review article aims to discuss how resveratrol derivatives could represent viable molecules in the search for new drugs for the treatment of AD and PD.

Antinociceptive and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Marine Sponges Aplysina Caissara, Haliclona sp. and Dragmacidon Reticulatum

ABSTRACT Marine sponges are a rich source of bioactive natural products with multiple pharmacological properties. In this study, the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of extracts obtained from Aplysina caissara, Haliclona sp. and Dragmacidon reticulatum were evaluated by using the writhing test and formalin-induced mouse paw edema model in mice. All extracts were administered via oral pathway in the doses of 60 and 90 mg/kg. In the writhing test the pre-treatment with all sponges resulted in significant inhibition of the acetic acid-induced response, suggesting an antinociceptive effect. The formalin test showed that the extracts from A. caissara, Haliclona sp. and D. reticulatum, in the tested doses, did not affect the first formalin phase, however, they were effective in the late phase. To assess the potential anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts, the test of formalin-induced paw edema was used. The oral administration of A. caissara, Haliclona sp. and D. reticulatum extracts significantly reduced the formalin-induced paw edema in mice. In conclusion, our data show that marine sponges can be an important source of anti-inflammatory and antinocicpetive products that can be promising therapeutical leads. Furthermore, pharmacological and chemical studies have been developed not only to characterize the mechanism(s) that is/are responsible for the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory action but also to identify the active principles of sponges.

Mutagenic effect of contaminated soil on the offspring of exposed rats / Efeito mutagênico da exposição a solos contaminados sobre a prole

This study aimed to measure irreversible DNA damage in the offspring of rats exposed to contaminated soil. Bone marrow cells were removed from the femurs of the offspring of rats that were exposed to contaminated soil via gavage during three different periods: 21 days prior to detection of pregnancy, during pregnancy and 21 days after birth, during the lactation period. For each group, we also had a control group under the same experimental conditions but exposed to uncontaminated soil. The results showed that pups borne of rats exposed to contaminated soil had an increase in the number of micronuclei in the different exposure groups compared with their respective control groups. This suggests a potential risk of mutagenic damage to the offspring of pregnant women who live at the sampling site.

Este estudo objetivou medir os danos irreversíveis de DNA na prole de ratas expostas a um solo contaminado, através do teste do micronúcleo. O mesmo foi realizado na medula óssea retirada do fêmur de filhotes de ratas expostas, via gavagem, em três diferentes períodos, ratas expostas durante 21 dias antes da detecção da prenhez, durante a prenhez e 21 dias após o nascimento, durante o período de aleitamento. Para cada grupo foi utilizado um grupo controle, mantido nas mesmas condições experimentais e expostos a um solo não contaminado. Os resultados obtidos nos filhotes expostos ao solo contaminado mostraram um aumento no número de micronúcleos nos três diferentes grupos expostos quando comparados aos seus respectivos grupos controle. Assim, os dados sugerem um potencial risco de dano mutagênico aos descendentes das gestantes residentes no local de amostragem.

Geno- and cyto-toxicity in free-living rodent Mus spretus exposed to simulated onshore oil spill.

This study investigated geno- and cyto-toxic damage in the free-living rodent, Mus spretus after exposure to a simulated spill of crude oil on soil. The results revealed increased mutagenicity and cytotoxicity in bone marrow cells and increased DNA damage in blood cells. Exposure to crude oil increased sperm abnormalities, with lasso-like folds being the most common. These results point to the value of this rodent in serving as a sentinel species for the monitoring and prediction of environmental hazards.

Health effects of ingestion of mercury-polluted urban soil: an animal experiment.

Rio Grande, the southernmost Brazilian port and industrial center, is marked by mercury-polluted ground cover. This pollution varies spatially, with levels exceeding 1,000 µg kg(-1) in 30% of the urban territory. The risk of Hg impact as a result of deliberate and involuntary geophagy is increased by restrained urban conditions in combination with the large proportion of the population living at low-income levels. Laboratory tests have demonstrated that ingestion of Hg-polluted soil by rats results in significant alterations in animal health such as stagnation in body weight increase, and significant mercury accumulation in the liver and kidney. The consumption of Hg-contaminated urban soil also provoked changes in hematological profiles of experimental animals by increasing the number of platelets. The present study indicates the potential for the local population of Rio Grande living in mercury-polluted districts, specifically young children, to experience health disturbances.

Sistema de significados sobre a finalidade do trabalho na Saúde da Família: uma abordagem qualitativa / Sistema de significados sobre la finalidad del trabajo en la Salud de la Familia: un abordaje cualitativo / System of meanings about the purpose of Family Health work: a qualitative analysis

Trata-se de um estudo exploratório e descritivo, com abordagem qualitativa, objetivando compreender o sistema de significados sobre a finalidade do trabalho de enfermeiros e médicos das equipes da Saúde da Família, nas cidades de Rio Grande e Pelotas. A entrevista semidirigida, individual e gravada, foi utilizada na coleta dos dados, seguindo-se uma análise temática dos depoimentos de 82 participantes. O significado nuclear da finalidade, como fim transmutado em produto do trabalho coletivo, mostrou-se alinhado com a possibilidade de mudanças e aquisição de comportamentos individuais e coletivos saudáveis por parte da comunidade, evidenciando-se o componente da eticidade no processo, por meio de categorias como a solidariedade e a compaixão. Disso decorreu, na produção textual, um marcador da condição humana na construção da finalidade do trabalho. Por meio da análise e discussão crítica da temática, este estudo contribui para a dimensão macro da formação de competências e adequação às necessidades sociais de saúde.

This exploratory study was performed to understand the system of meanings about the purpose of the nursing and medical work performed by Family Health teams, in the cities of Rio Grande and Pelotas (Brazil). Data collection was performed by semi-directed individual interviews. The interviews of 82 participants were recorded, and analyzed. The nuclear meaning of the purpose, as an end transmuted into the product of collective work, was in agreement with the possibility of the community implementing changes and acquiring healthy individual and collective behaviors. This gives evidence of the component of ethics in the process, by means of categories such as solidarity and compassion. This led to a marker, in the text production, of the human condition in the construction of the work purpose. Through the analysis and critical discussion of the theme, this study contributes to the macro-dimension of developing competencies and adjustment to the health needs of society.

Se trata de un estudio exploratorio y descriptivo, con un abordaje cualitativo, objetivando comprender el sistema de significados sobre la finalidad del trabajo de enfermeros y médicos de los equipos de la Salud de la Familia, en las ciudades de Rio Grande y Pelotas. La entrevista dirigida parcialmente, individual y grabada, fue utilizada en la recolección de los datos, siguiéndose un análisis temático de las declaraciones de 82 participantes. El significado nuclear de la finalidad, como fin transmutado en producto del trabajo colectivo, se mostró de acuerdo con la posibilidad de realizar cambios y adquirir comportamientos individuales y colectivos saludables por parte de la comunidad, evidenciándose el componente ético en el proceso, por medio de categorías como la solidaridad y la compasión. De esto se derivó, en la producción textual, un marcador de la condición humana en la construcción de la finalidad del trabajo. Por medio del análisis y discusión crítica de la temática, este estudio contribuye para la dimensión macro de la formación de competencias y adecuación a las necesidades sociales de salud.

Aborto espontâneo em mulheres residentes nas proximidades do parque industrial do município do Rio Grande - RS / Aborto espontáneo en mujeres residentes en las proximidades del parque industrial de la ciudad de Rio Grande - RS / Spontaneous abortion in women living close to the industrial district of Rio Grande - RS

Estudo transversal que objetivou identificar a prevalência de abortos espontâneos e fatores associados em mulheres em idade reprodutiva residentes nas proximidades de um parque industrial. A amostra foi de 285 mulheres expostas à poluição e 280 não expostas. Os dados foram coletados por meio de um instrumento com questões fechadas, em 2004 e analisados pelo teste qui-quadrado e regressão logística, mostraram prevalência de abortos espontâneos de 17,7 por cento. Na análise bivariada associaram-se com o desfecho: idade da menarca (OR=0,26; p=0,0008); número de filhos (OR=4,00; p=0,001). Na análise multivariada a idade da menarca entre 11 e 13 anos (OR=0,32; p=0,005), presença de três ou mais filhos (OR=2,92; p=0,03) e história de baixo peso ao nascer (OR=2,39; p=0,049) associaram-se com aborto espontâneo. Não houve associação com o local de moradia nas proximidades do parque industrial. Sugere-se a realização de estudos com biomarcadores para identificar possível influência do ambiente sobre a saúde reprodutiva, nessa população, ou afastar definitivamente essa suspeita.

This cross-section study aimed to identify the prevalence of spontaneous abortion and associated factors with women living in the surroundings of an industrial district in southern Brazil. The sample involved 285 exposed women and 280 women who were not exposed to pollution. Data was collected in 2004 through closed question surveys and analyzed with the application of the chi-squared test and logistic regression, which showed the prevalence of spontaneous abortion at 17.7 percent. The bivariate analysis showed significant association with: age of the first menstruation (OR=0,26; p=0,0008); number of children (OR=4,00; p=0,001). In multivariate analysis, age of the first menstruation was between 11 and 13 years old (OR=0,32; p=0,005); presence of three or more children (OR=2,92; p=0,03) and history of low birth weight (OR=2,39; p=0,049) remained associated to spontaneous abortion. A significant association between industrial district proximity and the result investigated was not observed. We suggest other studies to be done with biological indicators in order to identify a possible environmental influence on the reproductive health of this population or to definitively eliminate this suspicion.

Este estudio transversal identificó la prevalencia de abortos espontáneos y los factores asociados a él, en mujeres en edad fértil residentes en las cercanías de un sector industrial. La muestra comprendió 285 mujeres expuestas a la contaminación y 280 no expuestas. Los datos fueron recolectados en 2004, por medio de un formulario con cuestiones cerradas, y analizados por el test Qui-cuadrado y regresión logística no condicionada, los cuales mostraron una prevalencia de 17,7 por ciento de aborto espontáneo. El análisis bivariado mostró asociación con: edad de la menarquia (OR=0,26; p=0,0008); número de hijos (OR=4,00; p=0,001). En el análisis multivariado permanecieron asociados al desenlace: edad de la menarquia (entre 11 y 13 años - OR=0,32; p=0,005), presencia de tres o más hijos (OR=2,92; p=0,03) e historia de bajo peso al nacer (OR=2,39; p=0,049). No fue observada asociación entre el lugar de la vivienda con las cercanías del parque industrial y el aborto espontáneo. Sugerimos la realización de estudios con biomarcadores para identificar la posible influencia del ambiente sobre la salud reproductiva en esa población, o para alejar definitivamente esa sospecha.

Prescrição de antimicrobianos em unidades de saúde da família no Sul do Brasil / Antimicrobial prescription in family health units in Southern Brazil

O artigo descreve o perfil das prescrições de antimicrobianos, suas principais indicações clínicas e aspectos sazonais. Realizou-se um estudo transversal nas unidades de saúde da família do Município de Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, nos meses de julho de 2005 e janeiro de 2006. Foram analisadas todas (n = 2.877) as prescrições médicas, e a prevalência de prescrição de antimicrobianos encontrada nos meses de inverno e verão foi de 30,4 por cento (IC95 por cento: 28,5-32,4) e 21 por cento (IC95 por cento: 19,1-22,9), respectivamente. Os antimicrobianos mais prescritos foram a amoxicilina e a associação de sulfametoxazol/trimetropin. As principais indicações clínicas para sua prescrição foram: infecção das vias aéreas superiores não especificadas (22,5 por cento), amigdalites (20,8 por cento) e infecções do trato urinário (13,3 por cento). Observou-se uma mudança no perfil de prescrição de antimicrobianos para o tratamento das mesmas patologias entre os dois períodos. Os resultados evidenciam a falta de um padrão de prescrição de antimicrobianos na atenção básica à saúde, o que contraria as recomendações da Organização Mundial da Saúde, que sugerem a criação de protocolos de uso de antimicrobianos em todos os níveis de cuidado, como estratégia para a prevenção do uso inadequado dos antimicrobianos disponíveis.

This paper describes antimicrobial prescription, clinical indications, and seasonal characteristics in primary health care. We performed a cross-sectional study in family health units in Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, in July 2005 and January 2006. All medical prescriptions (n = 2,877) were analyzed, and the prevalence rates for antimicrobial prescription in winter and summer were 30.4 percent (95 percentCI: 28.5-32.4) and 21 percent (95 percentCI: 19.1-22.9), respectively. The most frequently prescribed antimicrobials were amoxicillin and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim. The main clinical indications for antimicrobial prescription were non-specific upper respiratory tract infections (22.5 percent), throat infections (20.8 percent), urinary tract infections (13.3 percent), otitis (8.5 percent), and sinusitis (7.5 percent). We observed differences between summer and winter in prescriptions for the same diseases. Seasonal differences between treatment profiles for the same diseases show the absence of a consistent antimicrobial prescription pattern in primary health care, contrary to World Health Organization guidelines, which advocate the establishment of protocols for antimicrobial use at all levels of care, as a strategy to prevent inadequate usage and the occurrence of strains that are resistant to available antimicrobials.

Percepção dos trabalhadores avulsos sobre os riscos ocupacionais no porto do Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil / Temporary workers' perceptions of occupational risks in the port of Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil

Este é um estudo transversal, descritivo, com abordagem quantitativa, realizado no porto do Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil e objetivou identificar a percepção, em uma amostra com 306 trabalhadores portuários avulsos, sobre risco à saúde no trabalho. A maioria dos trabalhadores portuários avulsos (93,46 por cento) reconheceu que existem riscos à sua saúde no trabalho e isso foi independente do grau de instrução (p = 0,44), atividade desenvolvida (p = 0,47). Os riscos identificados no grupo geral de trabalhadores portuários avulsos foram queda de objetos suspensos (8,43 ± 2,47), ruídos (8,06 ± 2,32) e intempéries (8,05 ± 2,48). Os riscos significativamente diferentes entre as atividades foram: ruídos (p = 0,00), levantamento manual de carga (p = 0,00), ferramentas de trabalho (p = 0,00), componentes dos ternos em número abaixo do ideal (p = 0,03), ganho por produtividade (p = 0,00), ritmo de trabalho (p = 0,01), trabalho em altura (p = 0,00), deslocamento do trabalhador sobre as cargas (p = 0,00), escadas de acesso às embarcações (p = 0,00). Pode-se corroborar que o trabalho portuário avulso é insalubre e perigoso, e os riscos se apresentam aos trabalhadores em consonância com a atividade por eles desenvolvida.

This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative study in the port of Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, aimed at identifying occupational risk perceptions in a sample of 306 temporary dockworkers. Most temporary dockworkers (93.46 percent) acknowledged the existence of health risks on the job, independently of schooling (p = 0.44) and job activity (p = 0.47). Risks identified by temporary workers as a whole included falling of suspended objects (8.43 ± 2.47), noise (8.06 ± 2.32), and bad weather conditions (8.05 ± 2.48). Risks that varied significantly between jobs were: noise (p = 0.00), lifting loads manually (p = 0.00), work tools (p = 0,00), insufficient number of work team members (p = 0.03), extra wages based on productivity (p = 0.00), work pace (p = 0.01), working on scaffolding and other high areas (p = 0.00), workers moving on top of cargo (p = 0.00), and ship's ladders and gangways (p = 0.00). The study corroborated that temporary dock work is unhealthy and hazardous, and that the risks affect workers according to the specific jobs they perform.

Spirulina platensis effects on the levels of total cholesterol, HDL and triacylglycerols in rabbits fed with a hypercholesterolemic diet

In this work, hypercholesterolemia was induced in rabbits by feeding them a high cholesterol diet (CD, 350 mg/d) and the effects of supplementing this diet with 0.5 g/d Spirulina platensis was evaluated by measuring the levels of serum total-cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerols (TAG) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL-cholesterol) at the start of the experiment and after 30 d and 60 d. It was found that the levels of serum cholesterol decreased from 1,054±101 mg.dL-1 in the rabbits fed a CD without S. platensis to 516±163 mg.dL-1 to those fed with a high cholesterol diet supplemented with S. platensis (significant at p <0.0001). The addition of Spirulina to the cholesterolemic diet did not cause significative decrease on the levels of triacylglycerols in the animals. The levels of serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL-cholesterol) was 73±31 mg.dL-1 for rabbits fed a CD without S. platensis as compared to 91.0±15.7 mg.dL-1 in those fed a CD supplemented with S. platensis (significant at p=0.1533).

A microalga Spirulina é cultivada e comercializada no mundo devido a suas características nutricionais (elevada concentração de proteínas, em torno de 65 por cento, vitaminas e sais minerais) e ao seu potencial terapêutico no tratamento de inúmeras doenças, inclusive a hipercolesterolemia. Neste trabalho foi avaliada a inibição da hipercolesterolemia induzida em coelhos por uma dieta adicionada de colesterol (350 mg.d-1), pela suplementação de 0,5 g.dia-1 de biomassa de Spirulina platensis, sendo avaliados os níveis de colesterol total, triglicerídeos e HDL nos tempos de 0 d, 30 d e 60 d de tratamento. Os resultados indicaram que a adição de Spirulina platensis na dieta ocasionou decréscimo nos níveis de colesterol total de 1054±101 mg.dL-1 para 516±163 mg.dL-1 (p<0,0001), para os coelhos alimentados com a dieta colesterolêmica em comparação com os que receberam a dieta adicionada de Spirulina platensis. A adição de Spirulina a dieta colesterolêmica não ocasionou decréscimo significativo nos níveis de triglicerídios dos coelhos. Os valores de HDL aumentaram de 73±31 mg.dL-1 para 91,0±15,7 mg.dL-1, comparando-se os coelhos alimentados com a dieta colesterolêmica e os alimentados com a dieta adicionada de Spirulina, estatisticamente diferentes a um nível de significância maior que 0,1533.

Estudo com enfermeiros e médicos da atenção básica à saúde: uma abordagem socioambiental / Study with primary care nurses and physicians: a socio-environmental approach

Trata-se de estudo quantitativo sobre o processo organizativo do trabalho na Atenção Básica de Saúde, a partir de uma abordagem socioambiental. Os objetivos foram analisar como enfermeiras e médicos identificam as estratégias para trabalharem a relação entre saúde e ambiente; que problemas ambientais influenciam a saúde das comunidades e como eles atuam com as comunidades frente aos mesmos. Foram realizadas entrevistas estruturadas com 36 enfermeiros e 19 médicos, seguindo-se uma análise quantitativa e contextual. O quesito referente ao conhecimento das situações ambientais que implicam em riscos à saúde recebeu média significativamente maior dos enfermeiros (p=0,000) e dos médicos (p=0,042). A falta de saneamento básico, presença de vetores, manejo inadequado de resíduos sólidos e ruas sem pavimentação foram os problemas ambientais da comunidade que os entrevistados atribuíram as melhores médias (p=0,000). Conclui-se que a estrutura organizativa do trabalho na atenção básica à saúde, ainda não é influenciada significativamente pela relação saúde e ambiente.

This is a quantitative study which, using a socio-environmental approach, analyzed the organizational process of work in primary health care. The objectives were to analyze how nurses and physicians identified strategies in order to work the relationship between health and the environment; which environmental problems influence the health oc communities; and how they act as communities in the face of such problems. Structured interviews were carried out with 36 nurses and 19 physicians in two cities in southern Brazil, followed with quantitative and contextual analysis. The question referring to knowledge of the environmental situations which imply effective or potential health risks received a significantly higher average from the nurses (p=0,000) and from the physicians (p=0,042). The lack of basic sanitation, the presence of vectors, inadequate handling of solid residues, and non-paved streets were the environmental problems of the community to which these workers attributed the best averages (p=0,000). It can thus be concluded that the organizational structure of work in primary health care still is not significantly influenced by the health and environment relationship.

Se trata de un estudio cuantitativo, con abordaje socio-ambiental, en el cual se analizó la organización del trabajo en la atención básica a la salud. Los objetivos fueron: analizar cómo las enfermeras y los médicos identifican las estrategias para trabajar la relación salud y el ambiente; qué problemas ambientales influencian la salud de las comunidades, y cómo ellos actúan con las comunidades ante los mismos. Para el estudio se realizaron entrevistas estructuradas a 36 enfermeros y 19 médicos, además de un análisis cuantitativo y contextual. El conocimiento de las situaciones ambientales que implican en riesgos efectivos o potenciales a la salud, recibió media significativamente mayor de los enfermeros (p=0,000) y de los médicos (p=0,042). La falta de saneamiento básico, la presencia de vectores, el manejo inadecuado de los residuos sólidos y las calles sin pavimentar fueran los problemas ambientales de la comunidad que los entrevistados atribuyeron las mejores medias (p=0,000). Se concluye que la estructura organizativa del trabajo en la atención primaria de salud, aún no es influenciada significativamente por la relación salud y ambiente.