Risk assessment of a Brazilian urban population due to the exposure to pyrethroid insecticides during the COVID-19 pandemic using wastewater-based epidemiology.

Pyrethroids are synthetic insecticides commonly used in agriculture and homes due to their low toxicity to mammals and effectiveness at low doses. However, exposure to pyrethroids can cause various symptoms, depending on the route of exposure. To measure human exposure to pyrethroids, researchers used wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) with polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS) sampling. This approach is a cost-effective and efficient way to assess exposure to pyrethroids. The study aimed to evaluate the exposure of an urban population in Brazil to pyrethroids during the COVID-19 pandemic using WBE with POCIS sampling. Researchers analyzed 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) in wastewater using passive sampling with POCIS, which was extracted with methanol and analyzed using UPLC-MS/MS. The range of CTWA concentrations of 3-PBA in wastewater was 24.3-298.2 ng L-1, with a mean value of 134 ± 76.5 ng L-1. The values were used to estimate the exposure of the population to pyrethroid insecticides. Three different conversion factors were applied to determine the range of exposure to at least 20 different pyrethroid insecticides. The exposure values ranged from 18.08 to 1441.49 mg day-1 per 1000 inhabitants. The toxicological risk posed to the exposed population was evaluated by calculating the WBE toxicological level (WBE-TL). Lambda-cyhalothrin was used as a reference for risk assessment, and the WBE-TL values for lambda-cyhalothrin ranged from 0.5 to 8.29 (considering the high CF). We compared mobility trends to 3-PBA exposure during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study highlighted the effectiveness of POCIS sampling in WBE and provided useful information for policymakers and regulatory agencies. POCIS sampling has practical advantages, including analyte pre-concentration, low operational cost, and ease of use. Overall, the study shows the importance of monitoring and understanding the exposure of the population to pyrethroid insecticides, especially during the pandemic when people may be spending more time at home.

Dynamics of nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 transmissions: Facing the challenge of variants of concern in a Brazilian reference hospital.

The hospital environment can be considered a high risk for the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 transmission outbreaks, either for health professionals who are directly involved in the care of suspected or confirmed cases of the disease, or for patients, for being in an environment more vulnerable to the acquisition of nosocomial infections. In this molecular epidemiology study, we aimed to analyze the occurrence and transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in outbreaks and local chains of transmission in a large tertiary teaching hospital in southern Brazil, in addition to verifying circulating strains and their epidemiological relation in the local context, from September 21, 2020 to October 5, 2021. Positive samples involved in COVID-19 clusters or outbreaks were analyzed using clinical, epidemiological and genomic data. Different lineages and sublineages among patients in the same room were observed. Most patients had their first clinical manifestation, evidence of suspicion, and diagnostic confirmation within 7-14 days or >14 days after hospital admission. The patients who have contact with confirmed cases of COVID-19 spent, on average, 6.28 days in the same environment until the positive test. There was a significant association between the outcome and the number of vaccine doses (p < 0.05), where those who received two doses presented a lower occurrence of death. There was a total replacement of variant of concern (VOC) Gamma by VOC Delta from August 2021 at the study site. Although the epidemiological analysis indicates nosocomial infections, through genomic sequencing, it was established that most of the hospital outbreaks had different origins. These findings highlight the utility of integrating epidemiological and genomic data to identify possible routes of viral entry and dissemination.

Long-Term Wastewater Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2: One-Year Study in Brazil.

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is a tool involving the analysis of wastewater for chemicals and pathogens at the community level. WBE has been shown to be an effective surveillance system for SARS-CoV-2, providing an early-warning-detection system for disease prevalence in the community via the detection of genetic materials in the wastewater. In numerous nation-states, studies have indicated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater. Herein, we report the primary time-course monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater samples in São José do Rio Preto-SP/Brazil in order to explain the dynamics of the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA during one year of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and analyze possible relationships with other environmental parameters. We performed RNA quantification of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-qPCR using N1 and N2 targets. The proportion of positive samples for every target resulted in 100% and 96.6% for N1 and N2, respectively. A mean lag of -5 days is observed between the wastewater signal and the new SARS-CoV-2-positive cases reported. A correlation was found between the air and wastewater temperatures and therefore between the SARS-CoV-2 viral titers for N1 and N2 targets. We also observed a correlation between SARS-CoV-2 viral titers and media wastewater flow for the N1 target. In addition, we observed higher viral genome copies within the wastewater samples collected on non-rainy days for the N1 target. Thus, we propose that, based on our results, monitoring raw wastewater may be a broadly applicable strategy that might contribute to resolving the pressing problem of insufficient diagnostic testing; it may represent an inexpensive and early-warning method for future COVID-19 outbreaks, mainly in lower- and middle-income countries.

Phenology of Araucaria Forest fern communities: comparison of the influence of natural edge, artificial edge, and forest interior.

The edge effect, triggered by habitat fragmentation, alters forest microclimates and influences the life cycle of plants. Phenology may indicate the first changes in phenological patterns in response to the effects of climate change. Climate regulates the phenology of ferns and climatic triggers influence plants in tropical and subtropical regions differently. This study analyzed and compared the phenology of fern communities of three sub-areas - natural edge, artificial edge, and forest interior - of a fragment of Araucaria Forest in the Floresta Nacional de São Francisco de Paula, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and its relationship with meteorological, astronomical, and edaphic variables. Abiotic and edaphic data were monitored concomitantly with phenological data (leaf renewal and senescence and sporangia formation) in each sub-area over a biennium. Temperature, air humidity, and soil moisture, which undergo changes with the edge effect, influenced edge plants. Leaf renewal was the main phenophase showing strong indication of changes in vegetative patterns in natural and artificial edge communities. Among the communities, that of the artificial edge signaled phenological changes that could compromise the development of ferns if effects intensify over time. In this respect, the phenology of artificial edge ferns differed from that of plants growing in originally natural formations (natural edge and forest interior), showing that exogenous transformations represent a new environmental situation for ferns to develop.

An assessment of attitudes towards plastics and bioplastics in Europe.

Over the last 50 years, conventional fossil-based plastics have become an integral part of our everyday lives. Apart from their low production costs, this is due to a number of their unique properties, including durability, strength, lightness, electrical and thermal insulation, resistance to chemicals and corrosion. The production of plastics has increased from 1.5 million metric tons in 1950 to 359 million metric tons in 2018. Of this total, 61.8 million metric tons were produced in Europe. There are various problems associated with plastic use and disposal that pose a serious threat to both the physical environment and human health. Since public behaviour plays a key role when it comes to the use of plastic, this paper reports on a study that focused on an assessment of attitudes towards plastics and bioplastics in Europe. The results showed that packaging is the most frequent modality of plastic used among participants. In addition, majority of participants are aware that plastic waste can affect environment and human health and therefore segregate and properly dispose plastics. Also, even though most respondents were aware of the environmental problems related to plastic use and showed a positive inclination towards using bioplastic materials, their limited availability and lack of relevant information about bioplastics pose a problem for wider use. Departing from the assumption that the public attitude is a determining factor in the consumption of plastics as a whole and bioplastics in particular, this paper also sheds some light on the current situation, identifying some trends and information gaps which should be addressed in order to encourage a more rational use of plastics in Europe.

Source apportionment of metallic elements in urban atmospheric particulate matter and assessment of its water-soluble fraction toxicity.

Clean air is essential for the maintenance of human life and environmental balance. The atmospheric particulate matter (PM) is one of the main air pollutants and is characterized by the heterogeneity of its composition, being able to accumulate numerous components, such as metallic elements, which contribute to increasing its toxicity. The objectives of this study were to assess of the air quality in two urban environments, to carry out the source apportionment of the metallic elements Al, Ba, Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn in the PM2.5 and PM2.5-10, and evaluate the toxicity of PM2.5 and PM2.5-10 water-soluble fractions using Lactuca sativa as bioindicator. The collection of PM2.5 and PM2.5-10 was performed using a dichotomous stacked filter unit (SFU) sampler. The source apportionment was carried out using the EPA PMF 5.0 receptor model and the toxicity tests followed the EPA Ecological Effects Test Guidelines OPPTS 850.4200: Seed Germination/Root Elongation Toxicity Test. The source apportionment demonstrated that vehicular and industrial emissions are the main anthropogenic sources contributing to the concentration of metallic elements to thePM2.5 and PM2.5-10. The studied sites did not show statistically significant differences in terms of phytotoxicity to the Lactuca sativa seeds. Cd and Cu were identified as the main metallic elements which able to cause negative effects on seed germination and root elongation, respectively. The presence of cadmium and copper in the atmospheric particulate matter is one of the main causes of the phytotoxicity affecting the Lactuca sativa seed germination and root elongation.

Neotropical ferns community phenology: climatic triggers in subtropical climate in Araucaria forest.

Climate regulates the fern phenology and climatic triggers influence plants from tropical and subtropical regions differently. Ferns depend on climate to regulate their life cycle, because they do not require animal interaction to reproduce. Through the pioneering study of the phenology of Araucaria forest understory in subtropical climate of Brazil, our main aims were (i) to verify which climatic variables influenced the phenological pattern of the community, (ii) to identify the differences in seasonality of ferns in distinct climatic zones of Brazil, and (iii) to compare the phenological pattern of ferns growing in other subtropical regions of the world. In an Araucaria forest fragment, we monitored the phenology of the fern community (leaf production, leaf senescence, and sporangium formation) over 2 years. At the same time, we collected photoperiod, temperature, and precipitation data. Ferns phenology was classified as continuous, discontinuous, regular, and irregular. Our results showed photoperiod and mean temperature as the best predictors for phenology. The reproductive event was seasonal, and the fern community presented themselves as continuous, irregular (activity index), and regular (intensity index) phenophases. Unlike ferns from tropical regions that generally regulate themselves by the rainfall, some ferns in a non-seasonal environment have seasonal behavior in their phenophases due to the greater amplitude of photoperiod and temperature. The community showed the same pattern of leaf production observed in populations of other subtropical regions in the world. This behavior represented the biological response of the vegetation dynamics in relation to the climatic variability of subtropical environment.

Human mastadenovirus in water, sediment, sea surface microlayer, and bivalve mollusk from southern Brazilian beaches.

Anthropogenic contamination of beaches in the south of Brazil was assessed by detection of Escherichia coli, human mastadenovirus species C (HAdV-C) and F (HAdV-F) and hepatitis E virus (HEV). Sampling was carried out in October (2016), and in January, April and July (2017). Water, sediment, sea surface microlayer (SML), bivalves, and air sentinel samples were evaluated. Quantitative microbiological risk assessment (QMRA) was used to estimate the probability of swimmer infection. HAdV-C was present in 26% of the samples, for both qPCR and viral isolation. The highest rates of detection in genomic copies (GC) were in water (2.42E+10 GC/L), SML (2.08E+10 GC/L), sediment (3.82E+08 GC/g) and bivalves (3.91E+07 GC/g). QMRA estimated daily and annual risks with a maximum value (9.99E-01) in almost all of the samples. Viable HAdV-C was often detected in the SML, pointing that this is a source of infection for people bathing in these waters.

Chemical composition of rainwater in the Sinos River Basin, Southern Brazil: a source apportionment study.

This study aimed to assess the chemical composition of the rainwater in three areas of different environmental impact gradients in Southern Brazil using the receptor model EPA Positive Matrix Factorization (EPA PMF 5.0). The samples were collected in a bulk sampler, from October 2012 to August 2014, in three sampling sites along with the Sinos River Basin: Caraá, Taquara, and Campo Bom. The major ions NH4+, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, F-, Cl-, NO3-, SO42-, and pH were analyzed, as well as identify the main emission sources. The most abundant cations and anions were Ca2+, Na+, Cl-, and SO42-, respectively. The mean pH value in the Sinos River Basin during the study period was 6.07 ± 0.49 (5.13-7.05), which suggests inputs of alkaline species into the atmosphere. The most important neutralizing agents of sulfuric and nitric acids in the Sinos River Basin are Ca2+ (NF = 1.36) and NH4+ (NF = 0.57). The source apportionment provided by the EPA PMF 5.0 resulted in four factors, which demonstrate the influence of anthropogenic and natural sources, in the form of (a) industry/combustion of fossil fuels (F- and SO42-), (b) marine contribution (Na+ and Cl-), (c) crustal contribution (K+, Ca2+, and NO3-), and (d) agriculture/livestock (NH4+). Therefore, this study allows a more appropriate understanding of factors that contribute to rainwater chemical composition and also to possible changes in air quality.

Seasonal assessment and apportionment of surface water pollution using multivariate statistical methods: Sinos River, southern Brazil.

Assessment of surface water quality is an issue of currently high importance, especially in polluted rivers which provide water for treatment and distribution as drinking water, as is the case of the Sinos River, southern Brazil. Multivariate statistical techniques allow a better understanding of the seasonal variations in water quality, as well as the source identification and source apportionment of water pollution. In this study, the multivariate statistical techniques of cluster analysis (CA), principal component analysis (PCA), and positive matrix factorization (PMF) were used, along with the Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman's correlation analysis in order to interpret a water quality data set resulting from a monitoring program conducted over a period of almost two years (May 2013 to April 2015). The water samples were collected from the raw water inlet of the municipal water treatment plant (WTP) operated by the Water and Sewage Services of Novo Hamburgo (COMUSA). CA allowed the data to be grouped into three periods (autumn and summer (AUT-SUM); winter (WIN); spring (SPR)). Through the PCA, it was possible to identify that the most important parameters in contribution to water quality variations are total coliforms (TCOLI) in SUM-AUT, water level (WL), water temperature (WT), and electrical conductivity (EC) in WIN and color (COLOR) and turbidity (TURB) in SPR. PMF was applied to the complete data set and enabled the source apportionment water pollution through three factors, which are related to anthropogenic sources, such as the discharge of domestic sewage (mostly represented by Escherichia coli (ECOLI)), industrial wastewaters, and agriculture runoff. The results provided by this study demonstrate the contribution provided by the use of integrated statistical techniques in the interpretation and understanding of large data sets of water quality, showing also that this approach can be used as an efficient methodology to optimize indicators for water quality assessment.

Integrated assessment of air pollution by metals and source apportionment using ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) in southern Brazil.

One of the biggest environmental problems existing today is air pollution, which is characterized by the presence of toxic gases and metal pollutants, the latter of which is generally associated with emissions of particulate matter (PM) from industries or automotive vehicles. Biomonitoring is a method that can be used to assess air pollution levels because it makes it possible to determine what effects these air pollutants cause in living organisms and their responses. The species Lolium multiflorum Lam., known as ryegrass, is considered a good bioindicator of metals, since it accumulates these substances during exposure. This study proposes to conduct an integrated assessment of air quality using two different monitoring methodologies: biomonitoring with L. multiflorum and active monitoring in areas with different levels of urbanization and industrialization. Concentrations found in ryegrass plants revealed high levels of Pb, Cr, Zn, and Cu, indicating that vehicular and industrial emissions were the main sources of pollution. Analysis of PM also revealed soot and biogenic particles, which can transport metals. Therefore, with the proposed method, the anthropogenic impact on air pollution in the investigated area could be clearly demonstrated.

Quality of life at work: perception of nurses andnursing technicians from a hospital da SerraGaúcha, RS, Brazil / Qualidade de vida no trabalho: percepção de enfermeiros e técnicos emenfermagem de um hospital da Serra Gaúcha, RS, Brasil

The present study aims to analyze the quality of work life (QLW) through application of the Nursing Questionnaire ofquality of life at work (QWLQ-78), in a hospital in Serra Gaúcha (RS-BR). The sampling made was, for convenience, withnursing professionals who were at work at the time of data collection and who have agreed to participate in this study.The questionnaires were applied in November 2014, having been delivered 149 questionnaires, of which 95 were totallyfilled The instrument was divided into four domains (Physical/Health; Psychological; Professional; and Personal) and thedata originated from questions relating to the four domains were analyzed in the statistical package SPSS version 20.0.All domains were classified as satisfactory. A strong correlation was observed between all domains and QLW, notablyin the personal domain (r=0,866), followed by Psychological and Professional Domains (both p=0.819). The lowestcorrelation occurred between the Physical/Health domain and QWL (r=0.762) and between this domain and the restof others. The study showed a satisfactory perception of QWL among the studied sample. In this way, the developmentof several actions involving factors inserted in the four areas tend to elevate the QLW in this institution. Among them,it could be mentioned the improvement of hierarchical social and family relationships; encouragement of physicalactivities and gymnastics; the self-esteem and freedom of expression; the feeling of belonging and fairness; the feedback;and access to information on the various work processes.

A presente investigação descritiva, de corte transversal, avaliou a qualidade de vida percebida no trabalho de enfermeirose técnicos em enfermagem de um hospital da Serra Gaúcha, Rio Grande do Sul, selecionados por conveniência. Osquestionários foram aplicados no mês de novembro de 2014, tendo sido entregues 149 questionários, dos quais 95estavam totalmente preenchidos. Foi utilizado o questionário de avaliação da qualidade de vida no trabalho - QWLQ-78, dividido em quatro domínios (Físico/Saúde; Psicológico; Profissional e Pessoal) e os dados submetidos à estatísticadescritiva (médias e desvios-padrão) e cálculo de frequências absolutas e relativas. Os resultados obtidos em todosos domínios apontaram para uma percepção satisfatória de qualidade de vida no trabalho (QVT). Foi observada umaforte correlação positiva entre todos os domínios e a QVT, notadamente no Domínio Pessoal (r=0,866), seguido pelosDomínios Psicológico e Profissional (ambos com r=0,819). A menor correlação ocorrida foi entre o domínio Físico/Saúde e QVT (r=0,762) e entre esse domínio e os demais. O estudo apresentou uma percepção satisfatória de QVT naamostra investigada. Dessa forma, o desenvolvimento de ações diversas envolvendo os fatores que estão inseridos nosquatro domínios tendem a elevar a QVT geral na instituição. Dentre elas, podem ser citadas a melhoria das relaçõeshierárquicas, sociais e familiares; o incentivo de atividades físicas e ginástica laboral; a autoestima e a liberdade deexpressão; o sentimento de pertencimento e equidade; o feedback; e o acesso às informações sobre os diversosprocessos de trabalho

Human adenovirus spread, rainfalls, and the occurrence of gastroenteritis cases in a Brazilian basin.

Climate variables may interfere with the environmental persistence and spread of pathogenic microorganisms. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of human adenovirus (HAdV) and total and thermotolerant coliforms in treated and untreated water and report gastroenteritis cases in seven cities located in the hydrographic basin of the Sinos River (HBSR), Southern Brazil. The data on water quality from samples collected at catchment areas of HBSR from March to December 2011 were compared with precipitation records, virus detection rates and viral loads, and information on enteric diseases among residents of the region. There was a marked increase in precipitation intensity in April, July, and August and a decrease in May and November. The number of HAdV genome copies (gc) in untreated water ranged from 2.1×10(8) gc/L in June to 7.8×10(1) gc/L in December, and in treated water, from 6.3×10(4) gc/L in September to 4.1×10(1) gc/L in November. The most probable number (MPN) of total coliforms ranged from 5×10(1) MPN/100 mL in December to 2.4×10(5) MPN/100 mL in July, and thermotolerant coliforms ranged from 1×10(1) MPN/100 mL in August to 6.9×10(4) MPN/100 mL in July. A total of 79 hospital admissions due to gastroenteritis were registered in the cities studied. The results for coliforms in untreated water demonstrate deficits in sanitation and wastewater treatment. These findings also indicate a possible relationship between the occurrence of rainfalls after dry periods and an increase in the number of gastroenteritis cases and in HAdV load quantified in surface water collected for conventional potabilization.

Qualidade de vida percebida e atividade física: um estudo em idosas acima de 80 anos participantes de um programa municipal de saúde da terceira idade na serra gaúcha, RS / Perceived quality of life and level of physical activity: a study of elderly women above 80 years of age participating in a municipal health program for seniors in the serra gaucha region, Rio Grande do Sul State

Trata-se de um estudo de caráter descritivo e de corte transversal que teve por objetivo verifi car o nível de qualidade de vida percebida e de atividade física de idosas participantes do Programa Municipal de Saúde da Terceira Idade na Região da Serra Gaúcha, RS. Foram 58 idosas avaliadas, com idade igual ou superior a 80 anos. Os dados foram coletados entre outubro e novembro de 2013 através dos seguintes instrumentos de investigação: questionário sociodemográfico; WHOQOL–OLD, associado ao WHOQOL-BREF; e IPAQ, adaptado para idosos. Os resultados foram tabulados e submetidos para análise através de estatística descritiva e correlação de Spearman utilizando-se o SPSS versão 20.0. Os resultados do presente estudo apontam que 94,8% das idosas possuem ensino fundamental incompleto, 82,8% recebem de dois a cinco salários mínimos, 67,2% residem sozinhas e 91,4% são viúvas. Com uma pontuação de 60,25 ± 8,25, as idosas têm uma percepção regular sobre a sua satisfação com a saúde e sua qualidade de vida e através do WHOQOL-Old: a maior pontuação foi observada nos domínios “Atividades passadas, presentes e futuras” (71,44 ± 10,73) e “Participação social” (71,44 ± 10,73), já a menor, no domínio “Intimidade” (23,81 ± 30,35). Enquanto, pelo WHOQOL-Bref, as menores pontuações aconteceram no domínio físico, relativo a dor/desconforto, energia/fadiga, sono/repouso, mobilidade, atividades da vida cotidiana, dependência de mediação ou de tratamentos e/ou capacidade de trabalho (65,20 ± 9,93), as atividades físicas realizadas em diferentes domínios do IPAQ-Old,100% das idosas foram classificadas como insuficientemente ativas. Concluiu-se que foi constatada uma percepção satisfatória sobre a sua satisfação com a saúde e a qualidade de vida e uma classificação insuficientemente ativa na prática da atividade física. (AU)

This is a descriptive cross-sectional study that aimed to investigate the perceived quality of life and the physical activity level of elderly women above 80 years participating in a municipal health program for the seniors in the mountainous region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Fifty--eight elderly women aged 80 years or more were evaluated. Data were collected between October and November 2013 using the following research instruments: a sociodemographic questionnaire, the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL)-OLD questionnaire, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), adapted for the elderly. Results were tabulated and evaluated by descriptive analysis and Spearman correlation using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 20.0. The results of the present study found that 94.8% of the women did not complete elementary school, 82.8% received from two to fi ve minimum wages, 67.2% lived alone, and 91.4% were widows. With a mean WHOQOL-OLD score of 60.25 ± 8.25, the elderly women had a fair perception of their satisfaction with health and their quality of life. The highest scores in this questionnaire were observed in the domains “Past, present and future activities” (71.44 ± 10.73) and “Social participation” (71.44 ± 10.73), and the lowest score was observed in the domain “Intimacy” (23.81 ± 30.35). In addition, the lowest scores in the WHOQOL-Bref questionnaire were found in the physical domain, related to pain/discomfort, energy/fatigue, sleep/rest, mobility, daily activities, dependence on medication or treatments, and/ or working capacity (65.20 ± 9.93). With regard to physical activity as evaluated by the different domains of the IPAQ, 100% of the women were classified as insufficiently active. It was concluded that the elderly women showed a satisfactory perception of their satisfaction with health and quality of life and an insufficient level of physical activity. (AU)

Qualidade de vida percebida e atividade física: um estudo em idosas acima de 80 anos participantes de um programa municipal de saúde da terceira idade na serra gaúcha, RS / Perceived quality of life and level of physical activity: a study of elderly women above 80 years of age participating in a municipal health program for seniors in the serra gaucha region, Rio Grande do Sul State

Trata-se de um estudo de caráter descritivo e de corte transversal que teve por objetivo verificar o nível de qualidade de vida percebida e de atividade física de idosas participantes do Programa Municipal de Saúde da Terceira Idade na Região da Serra Gaúcha, RS. Foram 58 idosas avaliadas, com idade igual ou superior a 80 anos. Os dados foram coletados entre outubro e novembro de 2013 através dos seguintes instrumentos de investigação: questionário sociodemográfico; WHOQOL–OLD, associado ao WHOQOL-BREF; e IPAQ, adaptado para idosos. Os resultados foram tabulados e submetidos para análise através de estatística descritiva e correlação de Spearman utilizando-se o SPSS versão 20.0. Os resultados do presente estudo apontam que 94,8% das idosas possuem ensino fundamental incompleto, 82,8% recebem de dois a cinco salários mínimos, 67,2% residem sozinhas e 91,4% são viúvas. Com uma pontuação de 60,25 ± 8,25, as idosas têm uma percepção regular sobre a sua satisfação com a saúde e sua qualidade de vida e através do WHOQOL-Old: a maior pontuação foi observada nos domínios “Atividades passadas, presentes e futuras” (71,44 ± 10,73) e “Participação social” (71,44 ± 10,73), já a menor, no domínio “Intimidade” (23,81 ± 30,35). Enquanto, pelo WHOQOL-Bref, as menores pontuações aconteceram no domínio físico, relativo a dor/desconforto, energia/fadiga, sono/repouso, mobilidade, atividades da vida cotidiana, dependência de mediação ou de tratamentos e/ou capacidade de trabalho (65,20 ± 9,93), as atividades físicas realizadas em diferentes domínios do IPAQ-Old,100% das idosas foram classificadas como insuficientemente ativas. Concluiu-se que foi constatada uma percepção satisfatória sobre a sua satisfação com a saúde e a qualidade de vida e uma classificação insuficientemente ativa na prática da atividade física.

This is a descriptive cross-sectional study that aimed to investigate the perceived quality of life and the physical activity level of elderly women above 80 years participating in a municipal health program for the seniors in the mountainous region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Fifty--eight elderly women aged 80 years or more were evaluated. Data were collected between October and November 2013 using the following research instruments: a sociodemographic questionnaire, the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL)-OLD questionnaire, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), adapted for the elderly. Results were tabulated and evaluated by descriptive analysis and Spearman correlation using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 20.0. The results of the present study found that 94.8% of the women did not complete elementary school, 82.8% received from two to fi ve minimum wages, 67.2% lived alone, and 91.4% were widows. With a mean WHOQOL-OLD score of 60.25 ± 8.25, the elderly women had a fair perception of their satisfaction with health and their quality of life. The highest scores in this questionnaire were observed in the domains “Past, present and future activities” (71.44 ± 10.73) and “Social participation” (71.44 ± 10.73), and the lowest score was observed in the domain “Intimacy” (23.81 ± 30.35). In addition, the lowest scores in the WHOQOL-Bref questionnaire were found in the physical domain, related to pain/discomfort, energy/fatigue, sleep/rest, mobility, daily activities, dependence on medication or treatments, and/ or working capacity (65.20 ± 9.93). With regard to physical activity as evaluated by the different domains of the IPAQ, 100% of the women were classified as insufficiently active. It was concluded that the elderly women showed a satisfactory perception of their satisfaction with health and quality of life and an insufficient level of physical activity.

Surface water quality in the Sinos River basin, in Southern Brazil: tracking microbiological contamination and correlation with physicochemical parameters.

Around the world, enteric viruses are often found in surface waters. This study set out to evaluate the occurrence of adenoviruses (AdVs) in water samples, and its relation to different physical, chemical, and bacteriological parameters [total coliform (TC) and fecal coliform (FC), represented by Escherichia coli]. Monthly samples of 500 ml of raw water were collected from May 2011 to June 2013 in eight abstraction points water treatment stations along three stretches of the Sinos River Basin (SRB), in Southern Brazil and, subsequently, were analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). AdVs from different species, from human (HAdV), and from other animals (CAV1-2, BAdV, PAdV, and AvAdV) were detected along the three stretches of the basin, indicating fecal contamination from different sources and proving the inefficiency of the wastewater treatment in the waters of the SRB and intensifying the strong influence of human activities that can contribute to the presence of inhibitory substances such as organic acids in surface of these waters. Statistical analyses revealed no significant correlations between the concentrations of TC and FC and the concentrations of AdVs. We observed a small, nonconstant, and unstable correlation between viruses and physicochemical parameters. These correlations were not sufficiently consistent to establish a reliable association; therefore, this study corroborates that only the viral assay itself is reliable for the diagnosis of fecal contamination by viruses in environmental samples.

Oficinas educativas sobre HIV/Aids: uma proposta de intervencao para idosos / Educative workshops on HIV/Aids: proposing interventions for elderly

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a eficácia de uma oficina educativa sobre HIV/aids em um grupo de idosos. A população incluiu 471 indivíduos entre 60 e 91 anos composta principalmente por mulheres (83,1%). Procedeu-se a aplicação e reaplicação de um questionário organizado em cinco domínios, antes e após as oficinas. O teste de McNemar foi utilizado para comparar as respostas pré e pós-oficina (p<0,05) no programa estatístico STATA 12. Dentre os domínios, a maior variação (202,72%) ocorreu no domínio "conceito" sobre a fase assintomática da infecção. No domínio "transmissão", a variação foi de 168,53% para a transmissão do HIV por picada de mosquito. No domínio "prevenção", na questão sobre existência do preservativo feminino, a variação foi de 44%. O domínio "vulnerabilidade" indicou 34,93% na questão da aids relacionada a grupos específicos. No domínio "tratamento", a abordagem da cura para a aids obteve 50,85% de variação. A realização das oficinas demonstrou ser uma intervenção eficaz nos domínios "conceito", "transmissão", "prevenção", "vulnerabilidade" e "tratamento" nos idosos participantes da pesquisa.

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of educational workshops instructing about HIV/Aids in a group of elderly. The population included 471 individuals between 60 and 91 years old, mostly women (83.1%). A questionnaire comprising five domains was answered by participants before and after taking the educational workshops. McNemar test was used to assess differences between pre-and post-workshop, through thr software STATA 12 (p<0.05). The greatest variation (202.72%) was observed in the "concept" domain related to the asymptomatic infection phase. Regarding "HIV transmission", the variation was 168.53%. The domain "prevention" had variation of 44% concerning the existence of female condom. The "vulnerability" domain inquired about Aids association in specific groups, and a difference of 34.93% was observed. In the "treatment" domain, when inquiring about Aids cure, 50.85% variation was observed. The educational workshops were effective for the domains "concept", "transmission", "prevention", "vulnerability" and "treatment" in a group of elderly.

Aptidão física relacionada à saúde de idosas da região do Vale do Sinos, RS: um estudo ex post-facto / Fitness related to health of elderly women of Vale do Sinos region, state of Rio Grande do Sul: an ex post-facto research

OBJETIVO: O presente estudo verificou o nível de aptidão física relacionada à saúde de idosas de 60 a 70 anos, praticantes e não praticantes de atividades físicas de Sapiranga, RS, Brasil. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Estudo ex post-facto que avaliou 40 idosas selecionadas por conveniência e distribuídas em dois grupos: praticantes de atividades físicas (n=20) e não praticantes de tais atividades (n=20). Foram avaliados: circunferência de cintura, razão cintura-quadril, índice de massa corporal (IMC), capacidade cardiorrespiratória, força muscular de membros superiores e inferiores e flexibilidade. A normalidade dos dados foi, inicialmente, verificada por meio do teste de Kolmogorov-Smirnov (α = 0,05). Para se traçar o perfil da amostra, fez-se uso da estatística descritiva, e para se verificar a diferença entre as médias dos dois grupos, utilizou-se o teste t Student (α = 0,05) para amostras independentes, a partir do pacote estatístico SPSS, versão 16.0. RESULTADOS: A idade média dos dois grupos avaliados foi de 64,6±3,6 anos e os resultados médios observados foram: IMC, 29,8±5,7; circunferência da cintura, 86,8±10,3cm; razão cintura-quadril, 0,86; teste de caminhada de 6 minutos, 409,1±60,0 m; frequência cardíaca em repouso (FCR), 93,6±17,5 bpm; frequência cardíaca final (FCF), 107,6±17,3 bpm; teste de flexão de cotovelo, 12,0±3,7 rep; teste de sentar e levantar da cadeira para membros inferiores 10,4±2,9 rep e teste de flexibilidade, 20,4±9,5 cm. CONCLUSÃO: Foi concluído que, nesta amostra, os resultados obtidos estão dentro do esperado para a faixa etária avaliada exceto na FCR e FCF.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of study was to assess the level of fitness related to health in elderly women aged 60 to 70, physically active and sedentary, in the city of Sapiranga, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. METHODS: It was an ex post-facto study that assessed 40 elderly women selected through a convenience sample and distributed into two groups: practicing physical activities (n=20) and not practicing them (n=20). It was assessed: waist circumference, Waist-hip ratio - WH-ratio, Body Mass Index-BMI, cardiorespiratory capacity, upper and lower limb strength, and flexibility. The data normal distribution was verified through the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test (α = 0,05). The sample profile was determined through the descriptive Statistics and to test the difference between the two groups averages it was used the ttest for independent samples through the SPSS software, version 16.0. RESULTS: The age average of the sample was 64.6±3,6 years. The tests results average observed were: Body Mass Index, 29.8±5.7; waist circumference, 86.8±10.3 cm; Waist-hip ratio, 0.86; 6-minute walk test, 409.1±60.0 m; heart rate at rest (HRR), 93.6±17.5 bpm; final heart rate (FHR), 107.6±17.3 bpm; elbow flex test, 12.0±3.7rep.; lower limb sitting down and getting up from a chair, 10.4±2.9 rep., and flexibility test, 20.4±9.5 cm. CONCLUSION: The study conclusion was that in the studied sample the results were within the expected levels for the age group, except for HRR and FHR.

Coordenação global, equilíbrio, índice de massa corporal e nível de atividade física: um estudo correlacional em idosos de Ivoti, RS, Brasil / Global coordination, postural balance, body mass index and level of physical activity: a correlational study in elderly subjects from Ivoti, RS, Brazil

OBJETIVO: Buscou-se verificar se existe correlação entre o índice de massa corporal, nível de atividade física em METs, coordenação global e equilíbrio estático de idosos da cidade de Ivoti, RS. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: estudo descritivo de corte transversal que avaliou 202 idosos, de ambos os gêneros, residentes em Ivoti-RS e selecionados por conveniência. Para as avaliações foram utilizados testes de coordenação global e de equilíbrio, o Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física (IPAQ) formato curto, e calculado o Índice de Massa Corporal segundo os pontos de corte propostos: desnutrição: <22,0 kg/m², eutrofia: de 22,0 a 27,0 kg/m² e obesidade: >27,0 kg/m². O nível de atividade foi classificado em Mets-min/semana como: muito ativo de 1500 a 3000 Mets-min./semana; suficientemente ativo, entre 1499 e 600 Mets-min./semana e insuficientemente ativo, menos de 600 Mets-min./semana. Os dados foram submetidos à estatística descritiva e correlação de Spearman (α = 0,05), através do programa SPSS, versão 16.0. O estudo foi aprovado pelo CEP da Universidade Feevale, Novo Hamburgo, RS. RESULTADOS: A amostra foi composta por 62 (30,7%) homens e 140 (69,3%) mulheres, idade média masculina de 69,53 ± 6,23 e feminina de 67,52 ± 5,69 anos. A idade média geral da amostra foi de 68,14 ± 5,92 anos. Foram verificadas associações negativas entre as variáveis IMC e coordenação global e IMC e equilíbrio, r= -0,423 (p<0,01) e r= -0,3060 (p<0,01) respectivamente. Porém, quando estratificadas por gênero, essas associações não foram significativas nos homens. O nível de atividade física demonstrou correlação negativa com a variável IMC (r= -0,219) e com a idade (r= -0,241); da mesma forma, apresentou correlação positiva com a coordenação motora (r= 0,274) e o equilíbrio (r=0,191). Mas o IMC e o equilíbrio, assim como a idade e o equilíbrio, não apresentaram correlação nas pessoas idosas suficientemente ativas. A coordenação global e o equilíbrio estão relacionados positivamente ao nível de atividade física apenas nas mulheres. Entretanto, o IMC está relacionado negativamente ao nível de atividade física em ambos os sexos. CONCLUSÃO: Para as mulheres da amostra, o alto valor do IMC gerou possivelmente resultados inferiores no desempenho dos testes de coordenação global e equilíbrio. Tal fato não pôde ser observado entre os homens, mas constatou-se correlação positiva entre o nível de atividade física em METs totais, coordenação global e equilíbrio na amostra total do estudo.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the relationship among Body Mass Index (BMI), physical activity level, global coordination, and postural balance in an elderly population from Ivoti, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study assessed a convenience sample of 202 elderly female and male subjects. It was used the global coordination test and the postural balance test and calculated the BMI according to the cutoff points: malnutrition: < 22.0 kg/m², normal weight: from 22.0 to 27.0 kg/m², and obesity: > 27.0 kg/m². The level of physical activity was classified in METs as: high active from 1,500 to 3,000 Mets-min/week; moderate from 600 to 1499 Mets-min/week and low below 600 Mets-min/week. Data was submitted to the descriptive statistical and the Spearman correlation (α = 0.05) using the SPSS software, version 16.0. The study was approved by the Ethics Research Committee of Universidade Feevale, Novo Hamburgo, RS, Brazil. RESULTS: Among the 202 individuals, 62 (30.7%) were males and 140 (69.3%), females. The male and female age averages were 69.53 ± 6.23 and 67.52 ± 5.69 years old, respectively. The general sample age average was 68.14 ± 5.92 years. Negative correlation between BMI and global coordination and BMI and balance was detected, r = -0.423 (p < 0.01) and r = -0.3060 (p < 0.01), respectively. However, when stratified by sex, these associations were not significant for males. The physical activity level showed negative correlation when compared with BMI (r= -0,219) and with age (r= -0,241), it had a positive correlation when compared with global coordination (r= 0,274) and balance (r=0,191). When compared BMI and balance and age and balance no correlation was found in the elderly subjects classified as sufficiently active. Global coordination and balance were positively correlated to the level of physical activity only in female subjects. However, BMI is negatively correlated to the level of physical activity of both genders. CONCLUSION: it was concluded that the sample women´s high BMI may have produced worse performance on the global coordination and balance tests. There was significant moderate negative correlation between level of physical activity in total METs and BMI of both men and women and BMI, global coordination, and postural balance only among the female elderly sample. However, a positive correlation among level of physical activity in total METs, global coordination, and postural balance of the studied sample was observed.