Enhancing water quality prediction for fluctuating missing data scenarios: A dynamic Bayesian network-based processing system to monitor cyanobacteria proliferation.

Tackling the impact of missing data in water management is crucial to ensure the reliability of scientific research that informs decision-making processes in public health. The goal of this study is to ascertain the root causes associated with cyanobacteria proliferation under major missing data scenarios. For this purpose, a dynamic missing data management methodology is proposed using Bayesian Machine Learning for accurate surface water quality prediction of a river from Limia basin (Spain). The methodology used entails a sequence of analytical steps, starting with data pre-processing, followed by the selection of a reliable dynamic Bayesian missing value prediction system, leading finally to a supervised analysis of the behavioral patterns exhibited by cyanobacteria. For that, a total of 2,118,844 data points were used, with 205,316 (9.69 %) missing values identified. The machine learning testing showed the iterative structural expectation maximization (SEM) as the best performing algorithm, above the dynamic imputation (DI) and entropy-based dynamic imputation methods (EBDI), enhancing in some cases the accuracy of imputations by approximately 50 % in R2, RMSE, NRMSE, and logarithmic loss values. These findings can impact how data on water quality is being processed and studied, thus, opening the door for more reliable water management strategies that better inform public health decisions.

Provincial and seasonal influences on heavy metals in the Noyyal River of South India and their human health hazards.

This study was carried out to evaluate the heavy metals (Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Cadmium (Cd) and Zinc (Zn)) pollution in the Noyyal River of South India by collecting 130 river water samples (65 each in pre- and post-monsoon). The heavy metals were measured using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The data were used to calculate the associated health hazards for the inhabitants consume river water. Correlation analyses and average concentration of heavy metals denoted that post-monsoon metal concentrations were lesser compared to the pre-monsoon due to dilution effect. Modified Contamination Degree (MCD) indicated that 45% of pre-monsoon and 25% of post-monsoon samples were classified under extremely polluted category. Heavy metal pollution index (HPI) showed that all the regions fall under highly polluted category except 'Region I' where 20% of samples were under safe category during the pre-monsoon, whereas 9%,28%, 17% and 26% of samples in Regions I, II, III and IV were highly polluted during the post-monsoon season, respectively. Ecological Risk Index (ERI) revealed that high risks attained in Regions II (78%) and III (82%) during pre-monsoon, and reduced risks found in Regions II (28%) and III (45%) during post-monsoon season due to dilution by monsoon rainfall. Non-carcinogenic risks as inferred by the Hazard Index (HI) indicated that 78% and 52% of samples for infants, 75% and 49% of samples for teens and 71% and 45% of samples for adults exceeded the threshold limits of USEPA (HI > 1) and possessed risks during pre- and post-monsoon, respectively. The cancer risk assessment based on ingestion of heavy metals indicated that the order of risk is Ni > Cr > Cu. The HI for infants and teens was notably high to that of adults in both the seasons. This study will be useful to develop effective strategies for improving river water quality and to reduce human health hazards.

The composition of the lipid, protein and mineral fractions of quail breast meat obtained from wild and farmed specimens of Common quail (Coturnix coturnix) and farmed Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica domestica).

The present study was intended to answer 2 scientific hypotheses: 1) the quail species has a significant influence in quail breast meat composition; 2) the wild quail's meat presents healthier composition than their farmed counterparts. An analysis of the pectoral muscles of wild and captive common quails (Coturnix coturnix) and domestic quails (Coturnix japonica domestica) was performed. The content of fatty acids (FA), amino acids, total cholesterol, and vitamin E, some basic macro- and microminerals in the pectoral muscles of the 2 species of the genus Coturnix were analyzed. Regarding the quail species influence on meat composition, Japanese Quail (JQ) revealed better lipid composition, characterized by lower saturated FA (SFA; less 3.17 g/100 g of total fatty acids), higher polyunsaturated FA contents (PUFA; more 5.5 g/100 g of total fatty acids) and healthier polyunsaturated FA/saturated FA (P/S) and n-6/n-3 ratios and TI value (1.08, 9.54 and 0.60 vs. 0.76, 12.58, and 0.75, correspondingly). The absence of differences observed on amino acids partial sums and ratios reveals equality between species on protein nutritional quality. On the other hand, Common Quail (CQ) proved to be a better source of copper (0.181 mg/100 g of meat), iron (2.757 mg/100 g of meat), manganese (0.020 mg/100 g of meat), and zinc (0.093 mg/100 g of meat) than JQ. The comparison of farmed and wild specimens within CQ, showed that wild birds presented lower total cholesterol (less 8.32 mg/g of fresh meat) and total PUFA (less 4.26 g/100 g of total fatty acids), and higher n-3 PUFA contents (more 1.53 g/100 g of total fatty acids), which contributed to healthier P/S and n-6/n-3 ratios, but worst PI (1.60, 8.08, and 113.1 vs. 0.76, 12.58, and 100.8, respectively). The wild species revealed higher α-tocopherol content (2.40 vs. 1.49 µg/g of fresh meat. Differences observed on their mineral composition counterbalance each other. Under intensive production system and similar feeding and management conditions, the CQ develops better nutritional qualities than JQ. The comparison of wild and farmed species within CQ reveals more similarities than differences. Quail´s meat presents good nutritional quality and introduces variability to human's diet, which is much valued by consumers.

Cow's Milk in Human Nutrition and the Emergence of Plant-Based Milk Alternatives.

Cow's milk is considered a complete food, providing high-quality protein and essential micronutrients, including vitamins and minerals. For medical reasons or as a lifestyle choice, consumers are replacing cow's milk with plant-based milk alternatives (PBMA); some perceive them as healthier alternatives to cow's milk due to their low saturated fatty acid content and no cholesterol content. However, the nutritional composition of PBMA is quite variable between different types and even within, which makes a comparison with cow's milk a complex issue. Furthermore, the consumption of PBMA has been associated with the development of some diseases in infants and children. Meanwhile, the consumption of cow's milk in human health is a controversial issue since it has been associated with a favorable effect in some diseases (such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer's) and a negative effect in others (such as prostate cancer risk and Parkinson's disease); while in some diseases, there is no consensus in the cow's milk consumption effect. The aim of this review is to make a nutritional comparison of cow's milk with PBMA and to clarify the potential health issues related to their consumption.

Geological and hydrogeological review of a semi-arid region with conflicts to water availability (southeastern Brazil).

Groundwater consumption has become increasingly relevant for urban development. The city of Montes Claros (Minas Gerais, Brazil) is located in the border region of the Brazilian semi-arid polygon and has registered conflicts of water use for decades ago. The study area contains a complex karst system responsible for the heterogeneous permeability of water recharge and groundwater flow. The urban area of Montes Claros is located in the Vieira River watershed and contains different groundwater wells used to agro-industrial and human consumption. Almost groundwater captions have a low specific capacity with a consequent groundwater depletion. On the region, there are significant areas with a negative water balance concerning to water recharge and groundwater exploitation. Groundwater flow has a regional dominant direction of SW-NE, however locally, groundwater flow varies and could be identified some clusters with high hydrological potential. The contrast between hydrogeological features of the outcropping lithotypes added to the geological structures contribute to variations in the potentiometric level and in the productivity of aquifers. The main aim of this study is a reviewer of the regional hydrogeology of the municipality of Montes Claros to evaluate a potential groundwater availability on the urban area and minimize a groundwater overexploitation and scarcity. A detailed characterization of the local hydrogeology from Montes Claros region will be crucial to a definition of more efficient water supply policies on the management of water resources, particularly in a scenario of climate change and water scarcity in semi-arid areas.

New sensitive method for HEPES quantification in 68Ga-radiopharmaceuticals.

BACKGROUND: The introduction of a GMP-certified 68Ga-generator spurred the application of 68Ga-radiopharmaceuticals. Several radiosynthesis of 68Ga-radiopharmaceuticals are more efficient and robust when performed with 2-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl] ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) buffer, which is considered as an impurity in the quality control (QC) procedure. Thus, prior to clinical use, QC must be conducted to ensure that HEPES does not exceed the maximum dose of 200 µg/V Injected as described in European Pharmacopoeia (Ph Eur) for edotreotide. However, when applying the thin-layer chromatography (TLC) method described in the Ph Eur to quantify the HEPES amount present in the 68Ga-octreotide or in the remaining 68Ga-radiopharmaceuticals that were tested, no amount was detectable after 4 min of iodine incubation. Here we tested our modified TLC method and validate a new high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method to quantify HEPES in 68Ga-radiopharmaceuticals and compare it to the TLC-method described in Ph Eur. In addition, samples collected from various institutes were tested to evaluate whether the synthesis of different 68Ga-radiopharmaceuticals or the use of different synthesis methods could affect the amounts of HEPES. RESULTS: HEPES could not be detected by the TLC method described in the Ph Eur within 4 min incubation in an iodine-saturated chamber. As for our modified TLC method, only after 2 h, spots were only visible > 1 mg/mL. The HPLC method had a limit-of-quantification (LOQ) of 3 µg/mL and a limit-of-detection (LOD) of 1 µg/mL. From the three 68Ga-radiopharmaceuticals tested, only in the [68Ga]Ga-NODAGA-Exendin samples exceeding amounts of HEPES were found and its concentration in the [68Ga]Ga-NODAGA-Exendin was significantly higher, when compared to [68Ga]Ga-DOTATOC and [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11. CONCLUSION: The TLC method described in Ph Eur and our modified TLC method may not be sufficiently sensitive and thus unsuitable to use for QC release. The new HPLC method was sensitive, quantitative, reproducible and suitable for QC release. With this method, we were able to determine that some 68Ga-radiopharmaceuticals may exceed the HEPES limit of 200 µg/ V Injected. This new analytical system would allow correcting for the maximum injected dose in order not to exceed this amount.

Monitoring the Crosstalk Between the Estrogen Receptor and Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 with PET.

PURPOSE: Ovarian cancer (OC) leads to poor survival rates mainly due to late stage detection and innate or acquired resistance to chemotherapy. Thus, efforts have been made to exploit the estrogen receptor (ER) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) to treat OC. However, patients eventually become resistant to these treatments as well. HER2 overexpression contributes to the acquired resistance to ER-targeted treatment. Trastuzumab treatment, on the other hand, can result in increased expression of ER, which, in turn, increases the sensitivity of the tumors towards anti-estrogen therapy. More insight into the crosstalk between ER and HER2 signaling could improve our knowledge about acquired resistance in ovarian cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether PET could be used to detect changes in ER expression induced by HER2-targeted treatment in vivo. PROCEDURES: Male athymic nude mice were subcutaneously (sc) inoculated with 106 SKOV3 human ovarian cancer cells (HER2+/ER+). Two weeks after inoculation, tumor-bearing mice were treated intraperitoneally with either vehicle, the HER2 antibody trastuzumab (20 mg/kg, 2×/week), or the HER2-tyrosine kinase inhibitor lapatinib (40 mg/kg, 5 days/week) for 2 weeks. Thereafter, ER expression in the tumor was assessed by PET imaging with 16α-[18F]-fluoro-17ß-estradiol ([18F]FES). Tumors were excised for ex vivo ER and HER2 measurement with Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: All treatments led to smaller tumors than vehicle-treated tumors. Higher [18F]FES maximum standardize tumor uptake (SUVmax) was observed in animals treated with trastuzumab (+ 29 %, P = 0.002) or lapatinib (+ 20 %, P = 0.096) than in vehicle-treated controls. PET results were in agreement with ex vivo analyses. CONCLUSION: FES-PET imaging can detect changes in ER expression induced by HER2-targeted treatment and therefore can be used to investigate the crosstalk between ER and HER2 in a noninvasive manner.

Assessment of metal and metalloid contamination in soils trough compositional data: the old Mortórios uranium mine area, central Portugal.

Soils from the old Mortórios uranium mine area were studied to look for contamination, as they are close to two villages, up to 3 km away, and used for agriculture. They are mainly contaminated in U and As and constitute an ecological threat. This study attempts to outline the degree to which soils have been affected by the old mining activities through the computation of significant hot clusters, Traditional geostatistical approaches commonly use raw data (concentrations) accepting that the analyzed elements represent the soil's entirety. However, in geochemical studies these elements are just a fraction of the total soil composition. Thus, considering compositional data is pivotal. The spatial characterization, considering raw and compositional data together, allowed a broad discussion about not only the concentrations' spatial distribution, but also a better understanding on the possibility of trends of "relative enrichment" and, furthermore an insight in U and As fate. The highest proportions (compositional data) on U (up to 33%), As (up to 35%) and Th (up to 13%) are reached in the south-southeast segment. However, the highest concentrations (raw data) occur in north and northwest of the studied area, pointing out to a "relative enrichment" toward the south-southeast zone. The Mondego Sul area is mainly contaminated in U and As, but also in Co, Cu, Pb and Sb. The Mortórios area is less contaminated than the Mondego Sul area.

Effect of immunocastration and caponization on fatty acid composition of male chicken meat.

Recently, immunocastration with Improvac (ImmC). has been tested in broilers and a considerable reduction in serum testosterone concentration (reduced by 79% compared to roosters) was observed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of immunocastration on meat fatty acid (FA) composition and its comparison with caponized and intact males (roosters). The study was conducted with 3 experimental groups: control group (roosters), the group of birds submitted to surgical caponization (SurgC), and the group of birds submitted to immunocastration with Improvac. The comparison of breast meat partial FA sums of castrated (SurgC and ImmC) with control birds (roosters) revealed that castrated birds showed significantly higher content of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) than control birds (1.76 vs. 1.46 g/100 g of total FA; superiority of 20.2%), which has contributed to the occurrence of significant differences on both the n-6/n-3 ratio and the atherogenicity index (AI). In contrast, on leg meat portion, castrated birds displayed higher contents of both total saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids (SFA and MUFA, with 2.2 and 4.1% more, respectively) and lower total n-6 PUFA content (8.3% less) than was observed in control birds, which contributed to significant differences in the AI index. On the other hand, the comparison of breast meat portion from SurgC with ImmC showed that immunocastration contributed to lower total SFA and higher total n-6 PUFA, which have contributed to significant differences on both Polyunsaturated/Saturated (P/S) and n-6/n-3 ratios. Whereas, on leg meat portion no significant differences were observed on partial sums and a single difference was observed on the thrombogenicity index. Immunocastration of broilers has contributed to minor changes in the FA profile, but has improved the overall lipid quality indexes in both breast and leg meat portions. Therefore, immunocastration could be applied as an alternative method to caponization without negative consequences in meat FA profile.

Nutritional value of meat lipid fraction from red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) obtained from wild and farmed specimens1.

The red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) is a feathered game species of great socioeconomic importance in its native range and also in the UK. The aim of this study was to present a detailed comparison of meat's lipid fraction obtained from wild and farm-raised specimens and simultaneously compare the breast and leg meat portions. Meat from wild specimens had a significant (P < 0.05) lower proportion of saturated fatty acid (less 5.1%) and presented better P/S and n-6/n-3 ratios, and atherogenicity index than farm-raised counterparts. The wild specimens presented significant (P < 0.001) higher contents of total vitamin E (8.8 vs. 2.2 µg/g of fresh meat), is for that reason less prone to lipid peroxidation than farm-raised specimens. Meat portions differed significantly (P < 0.05) on total lipid and total cholesterol contents and in all partial sums of fatty acids. The breast was leaner (0.86 vs. 1.47 g/100 g of meat), with lower total cholesterol (37.5 vs. 54.7 mg/100 g of meat), lower saturated fatty acid, monounsaturated fatty acid, polyunsaturated fatty acid, and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (less 0.27, 0.28, 0.10, and 0.11 g/100 g of fresh meat, correspondingly). Regarding the fatty acid ratios and lipid quality indexes, breast meat presents better n-6/n-3 ratio and atherogenicity and thrombogenicity indexes.

Spatial environmental risk evaluation of potential toxic elements in stream sediments.

Potential toxic elements (PTE), in stream sediments, were used as contamination indicators for the definition of high-/low-grade spatial clusters in the Monfortinho area (Central Portugal). A set of 271 stream sediment samples was used for spatial modelling and further definition of rings of enrichment-high and low rings. A three-step multivariate statistical and geostatistical approach was used: (1) principal components analysis for PTE's association evaluation and dimensionality reduction; (2) ordinary kriging as an unbiased interpolator for content inference and construction of a continuous representation of the considered attributes, at any arbitrary spatial location; (3) G clustering algorithm for the definition of high and low significance clusters. A moderate contamination in stream sediments is observed for almost all the considered PTE and a very high contamination for Ba, Cr and B. High contamination clusters are observed for Fe, Ni, Ba, Cu, B, Zn, V-northwest and southeast clusters-and for Cr-north and southwest clusters. The contamination degree index varies from moderate to high, which is mainly associated with the old mineralizations. The high computed rings often overlap the areas of abandoned Ba-Zn mineralization, as well as the sedimentary gold concentrations, along the Erges River banks. Tin and Cd spatial distribution may be related to former cassiterite exploitations in the survey area. Chromium is possibly connected with the schists. The definition of clusters with a PTE spatial enrichment will allow for the identification of contamination activities and therefore, the definition of adequate monitoring and mitigation actions.

Potential toxic elements in stream sediments, soils and waters in an abandoned radium mine (central Portugal).

The Alto da Várzea radium mine (AV) exploited ore and U-bearing minerals, such as autunite and torbernite. The mine was exploited underground from 1911 to 1922, closed in 1946 without restoration, and actually a commercial area is deployed. Stream sediments, soils and water samples were collected between 2008 and 2009. Stream sediments are mainly contaminated in As, Th, U and W, which is related to the AV radium mine. The PTEs, As, Co, Cr, Sr, Th, U, W, Zn, and electrical conductivity reached the highest values in soils collected inside the mine influence. Soils are contaminated with As and U and must not be used for any purpose. Most waters have pH values ranging from 4.3 to 6.8 and are poorly mineralized (EC = 41-186 µS/cm; TDS = 33-172 mg/L). Groundwater contains the highest Cu, Cr and Pb contents. Arsenic occurs predominantly as H2(AsO4)- and H(AsO4)2-. Waters are saturated in goethite, haematite and some of them also in lepidocrocite and ferrihydrite, which adsorbs As (V). Lead is divalent in waters collected during the warm season, being mobile in these waters. Thorium occurs mainly as Th(OH)3(CO3)-, Th(OH)2(CO3) and Th(OH)2(CO3) 22- , which increase water Th contents. Uranium occurs predominantly as UO2CO3, but CaUO2(CO3) 32- and CaUO2(CO3)3 also occur, decreasing its mobility in water. The waters are contaminated in NO2-, Mn, Cu, As, Pb and U and must not be used for human consumption and in agricultural activities. The water contamination is mainly associated with the old radium mine and human activities. A restoration of the mining area with PTE monitoring is necessary to avoid a public hazard.

Lipid profile and quality indices of ostrich meat and giblets.

In this study, the lipid profile of 5 different edible tissues (leg, thigh, heart, gizzard, and liver) of ostrich was analyzed. Ostrich edible tissues presented a low fat content (<5 g/100 g wet basis). Gizzard and heart revealed the highest amounts of total cholesterol (1.77 and 1.47 mg/g wet basis, respectively), differing significantly from all other tissues (which averaged 0.95 mg/g wet basis). The main tocochromanol in all tissues was α-tocopherol (10.3 µg/g wet basis in heart and an average of 3.4 µg/g wet basis for all the remaining tissues). All the samples presented a fatty acid profile, dominated by polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (>38%), namely, linoleic and arachidonic acids. The leg presented simultaneously the highest PUFA/saturated fatty acids (SFA), the lowest n-6/n-3 ratios, and the most favorable lipid quality indices among all tissues in comparison.

Florid cutaneous papillomatosis as a marker of neoplastic recurrence.

Florid cutaneous papillomatosis is a rare paraneoplastic dermatosis, most commonly associated with gastric adenocarcinoma. It is characterized by a sudden onset of hyperkeratotic papules, clinically indistinguishable from viral warts. We report an 80-year-old man who presented to our department with a two-month history of multiple verrucous lesions affecting the face, perioral region, and hands. Two years before, he was treated for a gastric adenocarcinoma with a subtotal gastrectomy, but showed no evidence of residual disease or recurrence. Given the clinical background, a diagnosis of florid cutaneous papillomatosis was considered. Skin biopsy excluded a viral origin, and tumour recurrence was later identified through an abdominal ultrasound. The onset of this entity is typically prior or concurrent with the diagnosis of the internal malignancy, but it may also represent the first sign of recurrence of a previously treated neoplasm. Its early recognition is essential to ensure a thorough investigation and prompt treatment.

Immunocastration as an alternative to caponization: evaluation of its effect on body and bone development and on meat color and composition.

Caponization is associated with some morbidity and mortality, which contributes to important economic losses. This practice is executed without any pain relief (neither anesthesia nor analgesia) and can be painful and without consideration of animal welfare. On the other hand, immunocastration accomplished by Improvac and Bovipriva in pigs and cattle represents a noninvasive procedure, and for that reason is regarded as an alternative with improved animal welfare. This study includes 4 experimental groups consisting of capons, slips, roosters, and birds submitted to the Improvac treatment. The administration of Improvac was associated with a considerable reduction in serum testosterone concentration (reduced by 79% compared to average serum testosterone of roosters). Regarding significant differences among experimental groups, birds from the Improvac group were intermediate between capons and slips with respect to abdominal fat pad weight and yield, breast meat water and protein contents, and femur length. Conversely, color parameters such as lightness, redness, and hue angle for Improvac birds were intermediate between roosters and capons. Thus, immunocastration with Improvac could represent an alternative solution to caponization, with considerable improvements in animal welfare.

Developing a new Bayesian Risk Index for risk evaluation of soil contamination.

Industrial and agricultural activities heavily constrain soil quality. Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) are a threat to public health and the environment alike. In this regard, the identification of areas that require remediation is crucial. In the herein research a geochemical dataset (230 samples) comprising 14 elements (Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag, Ni, Mn, Fe, As, Cd, V, Cr, Ti, Al and S) was gathered throughout eight different zones distinguished by their main activity, namely, recreational, agriculture/livestock and heavy industry in the Avilés Estuary (North of Spain). Then a stratified systematic sampling method was used at short, medium, and long distances from each zone to obtain a representative picture of the total variability of the selected attributes. The information was then combined in four risk classes (Low, Moderate, High, Remediation) following reference values from several sediment quality guidelines (SQGs). A Bayesian analysis, inferred for each zone, allowed the characterization of PTEs correlations, the unsupervised learning network technique proving to be the best fit. Based on the Bayesian network structure obtained, Pb, As and Mn were selected as key contamination parameters. For these 3 elements, the conditional probability obtained was allocated to each observed point, and a simple, direct index (Bayesian Risk Index-BRI) was constructed as a linear rating of the pre-defined risk classes weighted by the previously obtained probability. Finally, the BRI underwent geostatistical modeling. One hundred Sequential Gaussian Simulations (SGS) were computed. The Mean Image and the Standard Deviation maps were obtained, allowing the definition of High/Low risk clusters (Local G clustering) and the computation of spatial uncertainty. High-risk clusters are mainly distributed within the area with the highest altitude (agriculture/livestock) showing an associated low spatial uncertainty, clearly indicating the need for remediation. Atmospheric emissions, mainly derived from the metallurgical industry, contribute to soil contamination by PTEs.

Potential risk assessment in stream sediments, soils and waters after remediation in an abandoned W>Sn mine (NE Portugal).

The mining complex of Murçós belongs to the Terras de Cavaleiros Geopark, located in Trás-os-Montes region, northeast Portugal. A stockwork of NW-SE-trending W>Sn quartz veins intruded Silurian metamorphic rocks and a Variscan biotite granite. The mineralized veins contain mainly quartz, cassiterite, wolframite, scheelite, arsenopyrite, pyrite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, galena, rare pyrrhotite, stannite, native bismuth and also later bismuthinite, matildite, joseite, roosveltite, anglesite, scorodite, zavaritskite and covellite. The exploitation produced 335t of a concentrate with 70% of W and 150t of another concentrate with 70% of Sn between 1948 and 1976. The exploitation took place mainly in four open pit mines as well as underground. Three lakes were left in the area. Remediation processes of confination and control of tailings and rejected materials and phytoremediation with macrophytes from three lakes were carried out between 2005 and 2007. Stream sediments, soils and water samples were collected in 2008 and 2009, after the remediation process. Most stream sediments showed deficiency or minimum enrichment for metals. The sequential enrichment factor in stream sediments W>Bi>As>U>Cd>Sn=Ag>Cu>Sb>Pb>Be>Zn is mainly associated with the W>Sn mineralizations. Stream sediments receiving drainage of a mine dump were found to be significantly to extremely enriched with W, while stream sediments and soils were found to be contaminated with As. Two soil samples collected around mine dumps and an open pit lake were also found to be contaminated with U. The waters from the Murçós W>Sn mine area were acidic to neutral. After the remediation, the surface waters were contaminated with F(-), Al, As, Mn and Ni and must not be used for human consumption, while open pit lake waters must also not be used for agriculture because of contamination with F(-), Al, Mn and Ni. In most waters, the As occurred as As (III), which is toxic and is easily mobilized in the drainage system. The remediation promoted a decrease in metals and As concentrations of soils and waters, however the applied processes were not enough to rehabilitate the area.

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in the Amazonas State, Brazil, 2000-2011.

SETTINGS: Amazonas is facing increasing challenges in tuberculosis (TB) control, with nearly 3000 cases per year, and multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) may jeopardise the TB control programme. OBJECTIVE: To assess the number of MDR-TB cases in the Amazonas and to improve estimates of the burden of TB. DESIGNS: The Brazilian National Mandatory Disease Reporting System (SINAN) and the Brazilian Epidemiological Surveillance System of Multidrug Resistance (TBMR) were searched for MDR-TB cases in the State of Amazonas from 2000 to 2011. RESULTS: Eighty-one MDR-TB cases were notified. The rates of primary MDR-TB, initial MDR-TB during the first treatment regimen and acquired MDR-TB were respectively 3.8%, 13.7% and 82.7%; 26.9% of previously treated patients had ⩾ 4 treatment cycles. The MDR-TB cases reported 263 contacts, only 35.0% of whom were examined. The cure and death rates among the 81 patients with MDR-TB were respectively 45.7% and 25.9%. CONCLUSIONS: The number of MDR-TB cases seems incompatible with the high TB prevalence in the Amazonas. Most patients were unaware of contact with TB patients. TB is endemic in the Amazonas. This highlights the need for improving resistance investigation among all TB cases.