Commercial pesticides for urban applications induced population growth and sub-cellular alterations in Raphidocelis subcapitata (Chlorophyceae) at concerning environmental concentrations.

Information regarding the safety and environmental risks of pesticides intended for urban use remains limited. This study aimed to assess the effects of four common pesticides on the microalga Raphidocelis subcapitata: DIAZINON® 25% C. E., Roundup®, URBACIN® 20C. E., and VAPODEL® 20% C. E., which are commercial formulations of diazinon, glyphosate, dichlorvos, and cypermethrin, respectively. According to 96-h inhibition of population growth bioassays, the four pesticide toxicities exemplified the following order: DIAZINON® (diazinon) > Roundup® (glyphosate) > VAPODEL® (dichlorvos) > URBACIN® (cypermethrin). Increasing pesticide concentrations elicited alterations in the specific growth rates (µmax). The macromolecule contents and photosynthetic pigments increased in groups exposed to the highest concentrations of DIAZINON® 25%, Roundup®, and URBACIN® 20 compared to the control group, despite these treatments inducing lower population growth rates. VAPODEL® 20% induced higher growth rates and lower macromolecule content compared to the control. Since active ingredients were not quantified, certain comparisons may prove limiting, but it is important to assess the effects of the whole mixtures in the form that they enter the environment, especially for urban-intended applications or generic formulations with higher additive contents. Finally, this study demonstrated that commercial pesticide formulations designed for urban applications might pose a threat to freshwater microalgae due to their underestimated toxic potential, but further studies are required.

Evaluation of the environmental impact of magnetic nanostructured materials at different trophic levels.

Safety on the use of magnetic nanomaterials (MNMs) has become an active topic of research given all the recent applications of these materials in various fields. It is known that the toxicity of MNMs depends on size, shape, and surface functionalization. In this study, we evaluate the biocompatibility with different aquatic organisms of engineered MNMs-CIT with excellent aqueous dispersion and long-term colloidal stability. Primary producers (the alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata), primary consumers (the rotifer Lecane papuana), and predators (the fish, Danio rerio) interacted with these materials in acute and sub-chronic toxicity tests. Our results indicate that P. subcaptita was the most sensitive taxon to MNMs-CIT. Inhibition of their population growth (IC50 = 22.84 mg L-1) elicited cell malformations and increased the content of photosynthetic pigments, likely due to inhibition of cell division (as demonstrated in AFM analysis). For L. papuana, the acute exposure to MNMs shows no significant mortality. However, adverse effects such as decreased rate of population and altered swimming patterns arise after chronic interaction with MNMs. For D. rerio organisms on early life stages, their exposure to MNMs results in delayed hatching of eggs, diminished survival of larvae, altered energy resources allocation (measured as the content of total carbohydrates, lipids, and protein), and increased glucose demand. As to our knowledge, this is the first study that includes three different trophic levels to assess the effect of MNMs in aquatic organisms; furthermore, we demonstrated that these MNMs pose hazards on aquatic food webs at low concentrations (few mgL-1).

Maternal-embryonic metabolic and antioxidant response of Chapalichthys pardalis (Teleostei: Goodeidae) induced by exposure to 3,4-dichloroaniline.

Chapalichthys pardalis is a viviparous fish, microendemic to the Tocumbo Region in the state of Michoacán, Mexico. Despite the peculiar type of reproduction of goodeid fish and their mother-embryo interaction, the effects on embryos induced by maternal exposure to aquatic xenobiotics are still unknown. The objective of the present work was to determine the maternal-embryonic metabolic and antioxidant response of C. pardalis exposed to 3,4-dichloroaniline (3,4-DCA), a compound considered highly noxious to the environment because of its high toxicity and persistence, which has been used as reference toxicant in toxicological bioassays. We determined the median lethal concentration (LC50, 96 h) and then exposed pregnant females to 3.3, 2.5, and 0.5 mg L-1 of 3,4-DCA (equivalent to LC1, LC0.01, and LC50/10, respectively) during 21 days. We assessed the activity of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), macromolecules content (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates), glucose, and lactate concentration, as well as the oxidative damage, by measuring thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and protein oxidation. To interpret results, we used the integrated biomarker response (IBRv2). The average LC50 was of 5.18 mg L-1 (4.8-5.5 mg L-1; p = 0.05). All females exposed to concentrations of 3.3 and 2.5 mg L-1 lost 100% of the embryos during the bioassay, whereas those exposed to 0.5 mg L-1 showed alterations in the antioxidant activity and oxidative damage, being the embryos and the maternal liver the most affected, with IBRv2 values of 10.09 and 9.21, respectively. Damage to macromolecules was greater in embryos and the maternal liver, with IBRv2 of 16.14 and 8.40, respectively. We conclude that exposure to xenobiotics, like 3,4-DCA, in species with a marked maternal-embryonic interaction represents a potential risk for the development and survival of the descendants, thereby, potentially affecting the future of the population.

Exposure to silver nanoparticles produces oxidative stress and affects macromolecular and metabolic biomarkers in the goodeid fish Chapalichthys pardalis.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are the most commercialized nanomaterial worldwide, mainly due to their microbicidal activity. Although, AgNPs have been shown to be toxic to aquatic species, their effect on endemic fish, like Goodeidae, has not been demonstrated. Endemic species are under strong pressures by anthropogenic contamination and destruction of their habitat; therefore, we studied adult Chapalichthys pardalis, an endemic fish of Mexico. We evaluated the toxic effect of AgNPs through oxidative stress, macromolecular and metabolic biomarkers. We determined the LC50 (96h) and performed subchronic tests (21days) using sublethal AgNPs concentrations (equivalent to CL1 and CL10). At the end of the bioassay, we quantified 10 stress biomarkers in the liver, gills, and muscle, including the antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], and glutathione [GPx]), thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), protein oxidation (CO), macromolecules (proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates), and metabolites (glucose and lactate). In addition, we determined the integrated biomarkers response (IBR). LC50 was of 10.32mgL-1. Results of subchronic exposure (21days) revealed that AgNPs produce oxidative stress in C. pardalis adults, as evidenced by a diminution in antioxidant enzymes activity and an increase in TBARS and oxidized proteins. AgNPs also diminished levels of macromolecules and generated a high-energy consumption, reflected in the reduction of glucose levels, although lactate levels were not altered. The IBR analysis evidenced that the largest effect was produced in organisms exposed to LC10, being the liver and gills the organs with the greatest damage. Results demonstrated that exposure to AgNPs induces acute and chronic toxic effects on C. pardalis and forewarns about the impact that these nanomaterials can exert on these ecologically relevant aquatic organisms.

Aspectos éticos y legales de la investigación científica en Brasil / Ethical and legal aspects of scientific research in Brazil / Aspectos éticos e legais da pesquisa científica no Brasil

Este artículo buscó investigar y analizar el proceso ético regulatorio de la investigación científica en Brasil. Fue realizado a través de una revisión sistemática, caracterizada como estudio bibliográfico y documental, siendo los resultados analizados con la técnica de análisis de contenido. El material jurídico levantado trata principalmente de las garantías constitucionales asociadas con la investigación científica, del sistema de regulación ética, de la definición de usuario, de las investigaciones clínicas, de las investigaciones con cooperación extranjera, de las garantías del tratamiento y diagnóstico consolidados, de las investigaciones en reproducción humana, con poblaciones aborígenes, en genética humana, de los proyectos de multicéntricos y de las bases de datos biológicas. Se puede concluir que existen leyes de protección a la investigación científica en el Brasil, estableciendo prioridades nacionales, determinando derechos y deberes de investigadores y de los sujetos de investigación. Existe un sistema nacional de regulación ética establecido por resoluciones del Poder Ejecutivo. Las resoluciones incluyen temáticas asociadas con la investigación científica, manifestándose desde las directrices mundiales acerca de la ética en investigaciones, en este caso la declaración de Helsinki.

This article has searched and analyzed the regulatory process of the ethics of scientific research in Brazil. The methodology consisted in a systematic review, characterized by a bibliographical and documental study, results being analyzed by the content analysis technique. Legal documents studied dealt mainly with constitutional guaranties associated with scientific research, system of ethics regulation, definition of user, clinical investigations, investigations with foreign cooperation, treatment and diagnosis safeguards, human reproduction research, research with aboriginal populations, human genetics research, multicenter projects and biological data bases. It can be concluded that there are protection laws for scientific research in Brazil, establishing national priorities, determining researchers and research subjects rights and duties. There is a national system of ethics regulation established by resolutions of legislative power. Resolutions include diverse topics associated with scientific research, in line with world guidelines for research ethics, in this case the Helsinki Declaration.

Este artigo buscou investigar e analisar o processo ético regulatório da pesquisa científica no Brasil. Foi realizado por meio de uma revisão sistemática, caracterizado como estudo bibliográfico e documental, sendo os resultados analisados por meio da técnica de análise de conteúdo. O material jurídico levantado trata principalmente, das garantias constitucionais associadas à pesquisa científica, do sistema de regulação ética, da definição de usuário, das pesquisas clínicas, das pesquisas com cooperação estrangeira, das garantías do tratamento e diagnóstico consolidados, das pesquisas na reprodução humana, das pesquisas com populações indígenas, das pesquisas em genética humana, dos projetos multicêntricos e das bases de dados biológicas. Pode-se concluir que existem leis de amparo à pesquisa científica no Brasil, estabelecendo prioridades nacionais, determinando direitos e deveres dos pesquisadores e dos sujeitos de pesquisa. Existe um sistema nacional de regulação ética; todavía estabelecido por resoluções do poder executivo. As resoluções incluem diversas temáticas associadas com a investigação científica, incluindo as diretrizes mundiais acerca da ética em pesquisa, considerando até a Declaração de Helsinki.

Apendicectomia rrans-umbilical abordaje quirúrgico mínimamente invasvvo / Trans-umbilical appendectomy Minimally Invasive Surgical Approach

La apendicitis aguda es una patología muy frecuente en los servicios de emergencias en los hospitales de todo el mundo, para esta patología el abordaje del apéndice se realiza por incisiones medianas, transversales, paramedianas, laparoscopica ¹ y el abordaje transumbilical.² Este trabajo está basado en los conceptos actuales de cirugía mínimamente invasiva de la pared abdominal, consiste en extirpar el apéndice a través de la región umbilical con una incisión a través del ombligo que no excede los 5cm de longitud. Este abordaje cumple los postulados de Maingot, brinda una solución segura al problema consiguiendo una cicatriz estética aceptable. El estudio fue realizado en el Hospital Obrero N°2 de la Caja Nacional de Salud donde se operaron a 57 pacientes entre Junio de 2006 a enero de 2010 con la técnica transumbilical. La morbilidad fue de 13% no existiendo mortalidad, se realizó seguimiento a tres años y medio sin encontrarse incidencia de hernias incisionales ni datos de oclusión intestinal. Se recomienda realizar el abordaje quirúrgico transumbilical para la apendicectomía en apendicitis aguda no complicada ya que es segura, fácil de realizar y brinda resultados estéticos superiores a otras vías de abordaje.

Acute appendicitis it's a frequent disease in every emergency room around world hospitals; for this disease the boarding of appendix is through median, transversal, para median laparoscopic incisión and transumbilical boarding. This Word it's based in actual facts of minimal invading surgery of the abdominal wall; that involves remove the appendix through the umbilical región with an incisión through the umbilicus that does not exceed 5cm in length. This boarding fulfils Maingot postulates aside offering a safe solution also obtains an acceptable aesthetics scar. The study was conducted at the Hospital Obrero N°2 de la Caja Nacional de Salud where 57 patients were submitted to surgery between June 2006 to January 2010 with transumbilical technique. Morbidity was 13% without mortality; a seeking of two and a half years was made without finding incisión hernias or intestinal occlusion. We recommend realizing transumbilical surgical for appendectomy in acute non complicated appendicitis that because it's safe, it's easy to perform and provides superior cosmetic results than the other boarding of approach.

Apendicectomía transumbilical, una alternativa al abordaje quirurgica

El abordaje quirúrgico del abdomen para resolver el cuadro de la apendicitis aguda es motivo de controversia, ya que ahora además de brindar una solución segura al problema se debe brindar una cicatriz estéticamente aceptable. En el Hospital Obrero N° 2 de la Caja Nacional de Salud se operaron 57 pacientes entre Junio de 2006 a diciembre de 2008 con la técnica transumbilical, este trabajo está basado en los conceptos actuales de cirugía minimamente invasora de la anatomía y fisiología de la pared abdominal, consiste en extirpar el apéndice a través de la región umbilical. Este abordaje cumple los postulados de Maingot de accecibilidad, extensibilidad y seguridad convirtiéndose en un abordaje alternativo para el cirujano entrenado para resolver esta patología. En este sentido se encontró una mayor incidencia por parte del género femenino sobre el masculino, el tiempo quirúrgico en promedio fue 45 minutos, no existiendo relación con la posición anatómica del apéndice, ni la face apendicular. La morbilidad fue de 13% no existiendo mortalidad, se realizó seguimiento a dos años y medio sin encontrarse incidencia de hernias incisionales ni datos de oclusión intestinal, por otra parte el resultado estético es excelente. Se recomienda el abordaje quirúrgico transumbilical para la apendicectomía en apendicitis aguda no complicada ya que es segura, fácil de realizar y brinda resultados estéticos superiores a otras vías de abordaje.

Quiste mesentercco como causa de abdomen agudo / Mesenteric cyst as a cause of acute abdomen

Los quistes mesentéricos son tumores abdominales de asiento en el intestino delgado se originan de los leiomiomas yeyunales que en su evolución desarrollan un quiste mesenterio gigante, o puede ser un tumor primario originado en las hojas mesentéricas constituyen una patología poco frecuente en el adulto, la causa es un defecto en el desarrollo de los linfáticos mesentéricos, existiendo espacios cerrados en los que se acumula contenido linfático. Los quistes mesentéricos son tumores abdominales benignos poco frecuentes de etiología aún no determinada ocurren en cualquier edad, son causa de abdomen agudo, obstrucción intestinal y el 3% se puede malignizarse. Presentamos el caso de un paciente de sexo masculino de 72 años con abdomen agudo secundario a quiste mesenterio.

The Mesenteric cysts are abdominal tumors that develop in thin intestine, they origin from yayunal leiomiomas that in their evolution develop a giant mesenteric cyst, or it can be a primary tumor originated in the mesenteric leafs. They constitute a not very frequent pathology in adults the cause is a defect in the development of mesenteric lymphatics, existing closed spaces in which accumulates lymphatic content. The mesenteric cysts are not very frequent benign abdominal of uncertain etiologv, they appear at any age. they are cause of abdomen pain, intestinal obstruction and 3 % of them can become malignant. We present the case of a masculine sex patient of 72 years old with secondary abdomen pain to cyst mesenteric.

Hemisección radicular: una alternativa de tratamiento en la fractura radicular de molares mandibulares / Radicular Hemisection: an alternative treatment in root fracture of Mandibular Molars

La hemisección de molares mandibulares puede ser una alternativa terapéutica válida cuando se presenta una fractura radicular vertical en dientes multirrradiculares y las raíces restantes se encuentran en salud. Este artículo presenta dos casos clínicos solucionados mediante este tratamiento y posterior restauración del diente remanente (AU)

Hemisection of mandibular molars may be a viable treatment option when vertical root fracture has ocurred and the other root is healthy. This article discusses two clinical cases that presents the technique involved in hemisection and restoration of the remaining tooth (AU)

Evaluation of the enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot assay for diagnosis of neurocysticercosis in children.

Neurocysticercosis is a common problem in developing countries, and it causes neurologic disorders in children. Immunodiagnosis with Taenia solium glycoproteins as an antigen has been validated in adults but not in children. The aim of this work was to evaluate a Taenia solium glycoproteins-based enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot assay in children with neurocysticercosis. Twenty-five confirmed cases of neurocysticercosis and 50 healthy children from the same community were included. The test had a sensitivity of 72% and a specificity of 96%. Sensitivity was higher (100%) in cases with multiple cysts and in multiple sites. Sensitivity was higher when cysts were in parenchyma (86%) than when they were in the subarachnoid space. The most frequently recognized proteins were 24, 39 to 42, and 50 kDa. Diagnosis was more efficient in serum than in cerebrospinal fluid. Western blot is a reliable method for serologic diagnosis of neurocysticercosis in children. Multiple cysts and infections in multiple sites elicited a stronger immune response.

Cysticercosis in epileptic patients of Mulungu do Morro Northeastern Brazil

With the aim to study the magnitude of infection by the metacestode of Taenia solium in a population of epileptic patients in the arid region of Bahia, Northeastern Brazil, we examined 200 consecutive cases who attended an ambulatory clinic in the disctrict of Mulungu do Morro. Sixty-six of the patients had a diagnosis of epilepsy. From them 10 (15.2 percent) presented antibodies against a specific fraction of antigens in Western blot, and 4 (6.0 percent) had circulating parasite products, as tested by capture ELISA. Only 1 case was positive for antibodies and antigens. We found that the frequency of seropositivity was related to the time without epileptic seizure. We conclude that cysticercosis is endemic in the region of Mulungu do Morro and that it is related to a benign form of epilepsy