Methylmercury in Predatory and Non-predatory Fish Species Marketed in the Amazon Triple Frontier.

This study assessed if the concentrations of methylmercury (MeHg) in predatory and non-predatory fish caught in the Upper Solimões River are safe for human consumption, according to the reference values established by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). MeHg concentrations were evaluated in muscle of 5 predatory and 4 non-predatory fish species by gas chromatography with electron capture detector (GC-ECD). MeHg concentrations in predatory (0.09 mg kg-1) and non-predatory (0.04 mg kg-1) fish were under the safe upper limit for human consumption. The general average concentration of MeHg in these fish were 0.05 mg kg-1. The Estimated Weekly Intake of MeHg was higher than the provisional tolerable weekly intake in both predatory and non-predatory fish, especially for women. Due to the high rates of fish consumption in the Amazon, the risk assessment based only on the concentration of MeHg in fish may not be accurate.

Blood mercury concentrations in preschool children and potential risk factors in São Paulo, Brazil.

Environmental exposure of preschool children to mercury can elevate blood mercury levels (BML) and negatively affect their health. This study aimed to determine BML in preschool children from Brazil's largest city and explore potential associated risk factors. Blood samples were collected in 2013 from 2436 children (age 1-5 years) attending 50 daycare centers (DCC) located in São Paulo, Brazil. Parents or guardians answered questionnaires collecting information on sociodemographics and potential risk factors. BML was determined by Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (CV-AAS) and categorized using a cutoff point of 2.77 µg L⁻1, corresponding to the 75th percentile. Multiple logistic regression was performed (p < 0.05). Data were georeferenced and associations with air pollution, wind frequency and direction were evaluated. The results showed a geometric mean for BML of 1.65 µg L⁻1 (95% CI: 1.60-1.70), arithmetic mean of 2.15 µg L⁻1 (95% CI: 2.09-2.22), 75th percentile of 2.77 µg L⁻1 (95% CI: 2.67-2.91) and 95th percentile of 5.51 µg L⁻1 (95% CI: 5.18-5.92). DCCs located in the Northwest and East zones (p < 0.001) and fish consumption in the past two days (p = 0.04) were associated with high BML. The elevated BML observed in children living in the eastern zone might be attributed to the southeasterly winds passing through a petrochemical complex located nearby. The 95th percentile of BML in this study exceeded the U.S. 95th percentile by five times. BML in São Paulo preschool children was associated with individual and environmental risk factors. This finding highlights the need to identify and control hot spots in São Paulo, Brazil, especially in peripheral and surrounding areas, where individuals are more vulnerable. Further research is needed in Latin America to identify additional sources of urban environmental mercury exposure and guide interventions for protecting the environment and safeguarding children's health.

Validation of a Spanish version of the psychological inflexibility in pain scale (PIPS) and an evaluation of its relation with acceptance of pain and mindfulness in sample of persons with fibromyalgia.

BACKGROUND: Psychological flexibility has been suggested as a fundamental process in health. The Psychological Inflexibility in Pain Scale (PIPS) is one of the scales employed for assessing psychological inflexibility in pain patients. The aim of this study was to validate the Spanish version of the PIPS and secondly, to compare it to two other psychological constructs, the acceptance of pain and mindfulness scales. METHODS: The PIPS was translated into Spanish by two bilingual linguistic experts, and then, back-translated into English to assess for equivalence. The final Spanish version was administered along with the Pain Visual Analogue Scale, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire and the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, to 250 Spanish patients with fibromyalgia. Face validity, construct validity, reliability (internal consistency and test-retest) and convergent validity were tested. Also a multiple regression analysis was carried out.The usual guidelines have been followed for cross-cultural adaptations. RESULTS: Data were very similar to the ones obtained in the original PIPS version. The construct validity confirmed the original two-components solution which explained 61.6% of the variance. The Spanish PIPS had good test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.97) and internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha: 0.90). The Spanish PIPS' score correlated significantly with worse global functioning (r = 0.55), anxiety (r = 0.54), depression (r = 0.66), pain catastrophizing (r = 0.62), pain acceptance (r = -0.72) and mindfulness (r = -0.47), as well as correlating modestly with pain intensity (r = 0.12). The multiple regression analyses showed that psychological inflexibility, acceptance and mindfulness are not overlapped. CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish PIPS scale appears to be a valid and reliable instrument for the evaluation of psychological inflexibility among a sample of fibromyalgia patients. These results ensure the use of this scale in research as well as in clinical practice. Psychological inflexibility measures processes different from other related components such as acceptance and mindfulness.

A Case Report of Cerebral Hypoperfusion During Liver Transplant with a Focus on the Role of Intraoperative Neuromonitoring.

Acute hepatic failure is characterized by rapid deterioration of hepatic function with encephalopathy in a patient without pre-existing liver disease. Bispectral index values had a significant correlation with cerebral perfusion. Transcranial Doppler can assess changes in cerebrovascular function and has the advantages of being noteworthy and widely available. This is a case report of a hepatic encephalopathy occurring during a deceased donor liver transplant in a patient presenting fulminant hepatitis. We briefly discuss some diagnostic methods highlighting the challenges of the anesthesiologist in managing this kind of patient in the context of a major surgery.

Pilot Study to Reduce Added Salt on a University Canteen through the Use of an Innovative Dosage Equipment.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to demonstrate the practical application of an innovative easy-to-use equipment to dosage cooking salt, and evaluate the effectiveness in reducing 30% of the added salt in meals and the impact on consumer's satisfaction and food waste. METHODS: Two canteens from one public university where randomized in one control arm and one intervention arm. The first step was to evaluate the salt added to food through atomic emission spectrophotometry in both canteens, and the second step was to perform gradual reductions of up to 30% of cooking salt in the intervention canteen using the Salt Control-C (SC-C) equipment. Consumer acceptability was assessed through satisfaction questionnaires and food waste was evaluated by weighing. RESULTS: The intervention canteen achieved to a reduction of more than 30% of added salt in soup (-34.3% per 100 g), fish dish (-41.1% per 100 g) and meat dish (-48.0% per 100 g), except for the vegetarian dish (6.1% per 100 g). There was no decrease in consumer satisfaction, with a significant satisfaction increase of 15.7% (p = 0.044) regarding the flavor of the main dish. Also, no significant differences were found in food waste. CONCLUSIONS: SC-C seems to be effective in reducing 30% of added salt levels in canteen meals, and may be a good strategy to control and reach adequate levels of added salt in meals served outside-the-home, promoting benefits to the individual's health.

Towards Therapeutic Alternatives for Mercury Neurotoxicity in the Amazon: Unraveling the Pre-Clinical Effects of the Superfruit Açaí (Euterpe oleracea, Mart.) as Juice for Human Consumption.

Methylmercury (MeHg) exposure is a serious problem of public health, especially in the Amazon. Exposure in riverine populations is responsible for neurobehavioral abnormalities. It was hypothesized that consumption of Amazonian fruits could protect by reducing mercury accumulation. This work analyzed the effects of commercial samples of Euterpe oleracea (EO) for human consumption (10 µL/g) against MeHg i.p. exposure (2.5 mg/Kg), using neurobehavioral (open field, rotarod and pole tests), biochemical (lipid peroxidation and nitrite levels), aging-related (telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) mRNA expression) and toxicokinetic (MeHg content) parameters in mice. Both the pole and rotarod tests were the most sensitive tests accompanied by increased lipid peroxidation and nitrite levels in brains. MeHg reduced TERT mRNA about 50% demonstrating a strong pro-aging effect. The EO intake, similar to that of human populations, prevented all alterations, without changing the mercury content, but avoiding neurotoxicity and premature aging of the Central Nervous System (CNS). Contrary to the hypothesis found in the literature on the possible chelating properties of Amazonian fruits consumption, the effect of EO would be essentially pharmacodynamics, and possible mechanisms are discussed. Our data already support the regular consumption of EO as an excellent option for exposed Amazonian populations to have additional protection against MeHg intoxication.

Counter-current chromatography with off-line detection by ultra high performance liquid chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry in the study of the phenolic profile of Lippia origanoides.

Lippia origanoides (Verbenaceae) is an important Brazilian medicinal plant, also used for culinary purposes. Most chemical studies with this plant have been focused on its volatile composition. In this work, we combined High-Speed Counter-current Chromatography (HSCCC) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to Ultra Violet detection and High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-UV-HRMSn) methodologies to access the non-volatile chemical composition of L. origanoides. The crude ethanol extract of L. origanoides (LOEF) was first analyzed by HPLC-UV-HRMSn and allowed the identification of 7 major compounds. Among them, eriodictyol, naringenin and pinocembrin, were determined and are phytochemical markers of this plant. However, owing to the complexity of this plant matrix, LOEF was fractionated by HSCCC (hexane-ethanol-water, 4:3:1) as a tool for preparative pre-purification, affording a flavonoid-rich fraction. A column screening with the chromatographic stationary phases ZIC-HILIC, monolithic and particulate RP18 was performed. The best column separation was achieved with a Purospher STAR RP18e, which was used for HPLC-DAD-HRMSn studies. By this approach 12 compounds were further identified in addition to the major ones identified in the raw extract. Two of them, 6,8-di-C-hexosyl-luteolin and 6,8-di-C-glucosyl-apigenin, are being reported for the first time in the family Verbenaceae. This work shows the integration of HSCCC as a preparative tool for the fractionation and purification of natural products from a complex plant extract with other analytical techniques, with the purpose of showing each technique's potential.

Reassessment of the psychometric characteristics and factor structure of the 'Perceived Stress Questionnaire' (PSQ): analysis in a sample of dental students.

BACKGROUND: The training to become a dentist can create psychological distress. The present study evaluates the structure of the 'Perceived Stress Questionnaire' (PSQ), its internal consistency model and interrelatedness with burnout, anxiety, depression and resilience among dental students. METHODS: The study employed a cross-sectional design. A sample of Spanish dental students (n = 314) completed the PSQ, the 'Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale' (GADS), 'Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale' (10-item CD-RISC) and 'Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey' (MBI-SS). The structure was estimated using Parallel Analysis from polychoric correlations. Unweighted Least Squares was the method for factor extraction, using the Item Response Theory to evaluate the discriminative power of items. Internal consistency was assessed by squaring the correlation between the latent true variable and the observed variable. The relationships between the PSQ and the other constructs were analysed using Spearman's coefficient. RESULTS: The results showed a PSQ structure through two sub-factors ('frustration' and 'tenseness') with regard to one general factor ('perceived stress'). Items that did not satisfy discriminative capacity were rejected. The model fit were acceptable (GFI = 0.98; RSMR = 0.06; AGFI = 0.98; NFI = 0.98; RFI = 0.98). All the factors showed adequate internal consistency as measured by the congeneric model (≥0.91). High and significant associations were observed between perceived stress and burnout, anxiety, depression and resilience. CONCLUSIONS: The PSQ showed a hierarchical bi-factor structure among Spanish dental students. Using the questionnaire as a uni-dimensional scale may be useful in perceived stress level discrimination, while the sub-factors could help us to refine perceived stress analysis and improve therapeutic processes.

Isolation of quinoline alkaloids from three Choisya species by high-speed countercurrent chromatography and the determination of their antioxidant capacity

Abstract Choisya ternata Kunth, C. ternata var. sundance Kunth and the hybrid Choisya 'Aztec-Pearl' are three related species belonging to the Rutaceae family. Ethanol extracts were prepared from the leaves of these three species and evaluated in relation to their antioxidant activity using in vitro and ex vivo models. The ethanol extracts belonging to the three species produced a very high antioxidant profile as evidenced by the DPPH radical scavenging activity, the determination of total phenolics and flavonoid equivalent. The generation of reactive species of oxygen in leukocytes stimulated with LPS was dramatically reduced when the three ethanol extracts were used. The alkaloids anhydroevoxine and choisyine were isolated from the ethanol extract of C. ternata using HEMWat (4:6:5:5) as the solvent system by means of high-speed countercurrent chromatography. This was the first time quinoline alkaloids were isolated from this species using HSCCC. These compounds were also assayed for their capacity to inhibit the generation of ROS in leukocytes stimulated by LPS and the results also suggested that they are reactive oxygenase inhibitors.

Agronomic efficiency of Rhizobium strains from the Amazon region in common bean / Eficiência agronômica de estirpes de Rhizobium isoladas da Amazônia sobre o feijoeiro-comum

To maximize the contribution of biological nitrogen fixation in common bean, it is necessary to use bacterial strains that are more adapted, competitive, and efficient in the symbiotic process. In this regard, the aim of this study was to evaluate the agronomic efficiency (AE) of three bacterial strains isolated from acid soils with high Al content from the Amazon region in an Argissolo Vermelho Distrófico típico soil (Typic Rhodustults - USDA Classification) from the municipality of Formiga, MG, Brazil. We compared their AE to that of the reference strain CIAT 899T and of two controls without inoculation (one without and another with 80 kg ha-1 of N-urea). The results indicated that inoculation with the strains UFLA 02-100 and UFLA 02-127 provides grain yield equivalent to inoculation with the reference strain and to the control with mineral N. Thus, both have potential for recommendation as inoculants for common bean.

Para maximizar a contribuição da fixação biológica de nitrogênio no feijoeiro-comum é necessária a utilização de estirpes de bactérias mais adaptadas, competitivas e eficientes no processo simbiótico. Nesse sentido, objetivou-se avaliar, em um Argissolo Vermelho Distrófico típico do município de Formiga-MG, a eficiência agronômica (EA) de três estirpes isoladas de solos ácidos e com alto teor de Al da Amazônia e comparar suas EA à da estirpe referência CIAT 899T e à de dois controles sem inoculação (um sem e outro com 80 kg ha-1 of N-ureia). Os resultados indicaram que a inoculação com as estirpes UFLA 02-100 e UFLA 02-127 propicia rendimento de grãos equivalente ao da estirpe referência e ao do controle com N mineral e que por isso, ambas têm potencial para ser recomendadas como inoculantes para o feijoeiro-comum.