Qualitative analysis of the most locally relevant runoff and erosion parameters for constructing Brazilian scenarios.

Estimating exposure is one of the most important steps in an environmental risk analysis of crop-protection products to nontarget organisms. Regulatory agencies such as the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) all use mathematical exposure models in their regulatory assessment process. Brazil has been discussing the adoption of the Pesticide in Water Calculator (PWC) to be applied in aquatic pesticide risk assessment. Therefore, a qualitative sensitivity analysis (Morris OAT method) was performed to understand which are the most important local parameters in the PWC to estimate environmental concentrations in surface water (EECSW ). In addition, an exercise made up of two corn scenarios in two Brazilian regions was developed (Uberlândia [UDI] and Arapoti [ARA]). Two herbicides with different soil-binding properties and modes of action were selected to estimate the EECSW . The results demonstrated that the parameters of importance were different for each site, probably the result of different soil characteristics and meteorological patterns. This outcome suggests that regulatory agencies should consider developing more than one scenario to account for different agricultural regions. For Herbicide 1, the EECSW for UDI were similar to US scenarios, whereas for ARA they were lower. For Herbicide 2, the EECSW for the UDI site was higher than most of the US scenarios, whereas at the ARA site, EECs were similar to four US scenarios and lower than the other six. Local data were used as a refinement, resulting in the decrease in the EECSW for both herbicides in the UDI site. For the ARA site, Herbicide 1 displayed a similar EECSW value, whereas for Herbicide 2, it was lower after the refinement. Overall, these results demonstrated the importance of developing local scenarios to provide more realism to estimate pesticide exposure from its agricultural use and may help regulators to determine and recommend mitigations regarding the use of crop-protection products. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:1374-1384. © 2023 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

The experience of teaching introductory programming skills to bioscientists in Brazil.

Computational biology has gained traction as an independent scientific discipline over the last years in South America. However, there is still a growing need for bioscientists, from different backgrounds, with different levels, to acquire programming skills, which could reduce the time from data to insights and bridge communication between life scientists and computer scientists. Python is a programming language extensively used in bioinformatics and data science, which is particularly suitable for beginners. Here, we describe the conception, organization, and implementation of the Brazilian Python Workshop for Biological Data. This workshop has been organized by graduate and undergraduate students and supported, mostly in administrative matters, by experienced faculty members since 2017. The workshop was conceived for teaching bioscientists, mainly students in Brazil, on how to program in a biological context. The goal of this article was to share our experience with the 2020 edition of the workshop in its virtual format due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to compare and contrast this year's experience with the previous in-person editions. We described a hands-on and live coding workshop model for teaching introductory Python programming. We also highlighted the adaptations made from in-person to online format in 2020, the participants' assessment of learning progression, and general workshop management. Lastly, we provided a summary and reflections from our personal experiences from the workshops of the last 4 years. Our takeaways included the benefits of the learning from learners' feedback (LLF) that allowed us to improve the workshop in real time, in the short, and likely in the long term. We concluded that the Brazilian Python Workshop for Biological Data is a highly effective workshop model for teaching a programming language that allows bioscientists to go beyond an initial exploration of programming skills for data analysis in the medium to long term.

Estimating pesticide environmental concentrations in Latin America: The importance of developing local scenarios.

Data to assess pesticide exposure in soil and water are scarce and unevenly distributed in Latin America, especially due to the size of the region and the vast agricultural landscape. This makes it difficult to assess associated environmental risks. We suggest that the lack of pesticide exposure or monitoring data can be addressed by using validated models to provide estimated pesticide exposure concentrations in soil and water bodies. This exposure modeling approach has been used by regulatory agencies in other countries and regions such as the United States, Canada, and the European Union. In order to properly estimate pesticide exposure concentrations, we advocate for the development of local scenarios containing local weather, soil, and crop data to be used in the existing models. A sensitivity analysis of the models can be performed to determine parameters that are sensitive and therefore inputs to these parameters are derived locally. We believe the development of local scenarios in the region is attainable and can be a pragmatic approach for developing a more comprehensive picture of potential pesticide exposure in the region. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:901-904. © 2021 Syngenta Proteção de Cultivos Ltda.

The role of artificial intelligence in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and its progressively wider impact on many sectors requires an assessment of its effect on the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Using a consensus-based expert elicitation process, we find that AI can enable the accomplishment of 134 targets across all the goals, but it may also inhibit 59 targets. However, current research foci overlook important aspects. The fast development of AI needs to be supported by the necessary regulatory insight and oversight for AI-based technologies to enable sustainable development. Failure to do so could result in gaps in transparency, safety, and ethical standards.

Simulating rewetting events in intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams: A global analysis of leached nutrients and organic matter.

Climate change and human pressures are changing the global distribution and the extent of intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams (IRES), which comprise half of the global river network area. IRES are characterized by periods of flow cessation, during which channel substrates accumulate and undergo physico-chemical changes (preconditioning), and periods of flow resumption, when these substrates are rewetted and release pulses of dissolved nutrients and organic matter (OM). However, there are no estimates of the amounts and quality of leached substances, nor is there information on the underlying environmental constraints operating at the global scale. We experimentally simulated, under standard laboratory conditions, rewetting of leaves, riverbed sediments, and epilithic biofilms collected during the dry phase across 205 IRES from five major climate zones. We determined the amounts and qualitative characteristics of the leached nutrients and OM, and estimated their areal fluxes from riverbeds. In addition, we evaluated the variance in leachate characteristics in relation to selected environmental variables and substrate characteristics. We found that sediments, due to their large quantities within riverbeds, contribute most to the overall flux of dissolved substances during rewetting events (56%-98%), and that flux rates distinctly differ among climate zones. Dissolved organic carbon, phenolics, and nitrate contributed most to the areal fluxes. The largest amounts of leached substances were found in the continental climate zone, coinciding with the lowest potential bioavailability of the leached OM. The opposite pattern was found in the arid zone. Environmental variables expected to be modified under climate change (i.e. potential evapotranspiration, aridity, dry period duration, land use) were correlated with the amount of leached substances, with the strongest relationship found for sediments. These results show that the role of IRES should be accounted for in global biogeochemical cycles, especially because prevalence of IRES will increase due to increasing severity of drying events.

Putative risk factors in developmental dyslexia: a case-control study of Italian children.

Although dyslexia runs in families, several putative risk factors that cannot be immediately identified as genetic predict reading disability. Published studies analyzed one or a few risk factors at a time, with relatively inconsistent results. To assess the contribution of several putative risk factors to the development of dyslexia, we conducted a case-control study of 403 Italian children, 155 with dyslexia, by implementing a stepwise logistic regression applied to the entire sample, and then to boys and girls separately. Younger parental age at child's birth, lower parental education, and risk of miscarriage significantly increased the odds of belonging to the dyslexia group (19.5% of the variation). These associations were confirmed in the analyses conducted separately by sex, except for parental education, which significantly affected only males. These findings support reading disabilities as a multifactorial disorder and may bear some importance for the prevention and/or early detection of children at heightened risk for dyslexia.

Estudio de micosis superficiales en la población de Villa del Prado, provincia de Córdoba, Argentina / Study of superficial mycoses in Villa del Prado population,province of Córdoba, Argentina

Las micosis superficiales son patologías frecuentes en la consulta dermatológica. Según la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS), alrededor del 20-25% de la población mundial padece micosis superficiales. Existe poca información de las mismas y en especial de zonas periurbanas. Nuestro objetivo fue obtener datos epidemiológicos acerca de las micosis superficiales e identificar sus agentes etiológicos que afectan piel, pelo y uñas en los pobladores de la comuna de Villa del Prado. El estudio fue descriptivo, prospectivo y transversal. Se incluyeron pacientes mayores de 2 años, con lesiones cutáneas y anexialesque sugirieron micosis superficiales, excluyéndose menores de 2 años, con hepatopatía previa al estudio y embarazadas. El proyecto del área de Responsabilidad Social Universitaria se realizó en los períodos lectivos 2008-2010. Los pacientes fueron atendidosen el dispensario de esa localidad por médicos dermatólogos y residentes. Las bioquímicas micólogas con alumnos de 4º año de la carrera de Bioquímica indicaban la preparación para la toma de muestra y extracción de la misma. Los análisis micológicos se llevarona cabo por metodología clásica. Se realizaron 41 viajes a dicha comunidad, 248 consultas dermatológicas y se atendieron 142 pacientes. Se detectaron 22 pacientes con lesiones micológicas y 19 concurrieron a la toma de muestras. El examen directo resultó positivo en 14 de ellos, uno de los cuales fue Malassezia spp. Los cultivos dieron positivo en 14 pacientes, dos de ellos con dos agentes etiológicos. Se obtuvieron: cuatro Trichophyton rubrum, tres Trichophyton mentagrophytes, cinco Candida albicans, una Candida tropicalis, un Epidermophyton floccosum, un Trichophyton interdigitale y unMicrosporum canis. La mayoría de los aislamientos pertenece al grupo de los dermatofitos, en segundo lugar levaduras del género Candida, y se detectó Malassezia spp.

Superficial mycosis are common dermatologic complaints. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) about 20-25% of the world population suffers from superficial mycosis.There is little information about them especially in peri-urban areas. Our aim was toobtain epidemiological data about superficial mycosis and to identify their etiologicalagents affecting the skin, hair and nails in the population of Villa del Prado community.Our study was descriptive, prospective and cross-sectional. We included patients olderthan 2 years old presenting skin and adnexal lesions suggesting superficial mycosis.Children under 2 years of age, with previous hepatic disease and pregnant women were excluded. The University Social Responsibility project was carried out during 2008-2009-2010 school years. Patients were assisted in Villa del Prado health care center by dermatologists and medical residents. Biochemists specialized in Mycology indicated the preparationfor taking samples to their fourth year students of the Career in Biochemistry.Mycological analyses were performed following the classical methodology. The team went41 times to the community receiving 248 dermatologic consultations; 142 patients wereassisted. In 22 patients mycological lesions were detected; 19 of them went to sampletaking. Direct testing was positive in 14 patients, Malassezia spp being one of them. Cultures were positive in 14 patients, two of them with 2 aethiological agents. 4Trichophyton rubrum, 3 Trichophyton mentagrophytes, 5 Candida albicans, 1 Candida tropicalis,1 Epidermophyton floccosum, 1 Trichophyton interdigitale y 1 Microsporum canis wereobtained. Most isolates belong to the dermatophytes group followed by yeasts of thegenus Candida and Malassezia spp was also detected.

Preparation and accurate measurement of pure ozone.

Preparation of high purity ozone as well as precise and accurate measurement of its pressure are metrological requirements that are difficult to meet due to ozone decomposition occurring in pressure sensors. The most stable and precise transducer heads are heated and, therefore, prone to accelerated ozone decomposition, limiting measurement accuracy and compromising purity. Here, we describe a vacuum system and a method for ozone production, suitable to accurately determine the pressure of pure ozone by avoiding the problem of decomposition. We use an inert gas in a particularly designed buffer volume and can thus achieve high measurement accuracy and negligible degradation of ozone with purities of 99.8% or better. The high degree of purity is ensured by comprehensive compositional analyses of ozone samples. The method may also be applied to other reactive gases.

Penfigoide ampollar en niña de 7 años: comunicación de una patología poco frecuente en la infancia / Bullous pemphigoid in a child of 7 years: notice of an uncommon disease in childhood

El penfigoide ampollar (PA) es una enfermedad autoinmune adquirida que afecta predominantemente a personas mayores y es rara en los niños. En la literatura existen alrededor de 78 casos publicados de PA en la infancia. La incidencia precisa en la edad pediátrica se desconoce. En los niños la enfermedad predomina en el sexo femenino. El tratamiento de elección son los corticoides tópicos o sistémicos según la severidad de la enfermedad. La respuesta es rápida, lográndose en días o meses, y las recaídas son raras. Presentamos una niña de 7 años de edad que comenzó con lesiones ampollares en el muslo 7 meses previos a la consulta. Consultó por nueva lesión ampollar en muñeca derecha. La biopsia de piel mostró una ampolla subepidérmica con infiltrado linfohistiocítico y eosinofílico. La inmunofluorescencia directa evidenció depósito lineal de IgG y C3 en la zona de membrana basal. Con estos hallazgos, se realizó el diagnóstico de PA. El interés de la publicación es presentar una patología infrecuente en la infancia que debe sospecharse ante un niño con lesiones ampollares.

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an acquired autoimmune blistering disorder that predominantly affects the elderly and is rare in children. The precise incidence in childhood is unknown. Review of the literature shows about 78 cases of PB in children. The disease has a female predominance. The treatment of choice is topical or systemic steroids depending on the compromise of the disease. The response to treatments is quite fast and relapses are rare. We report a 7-year-old female infant who began with blistering lesions in her thigh 7 month before. She consulted for the development of new bullous lesion in her right wrist. The skin biopsy showed subepidermal bulla with lymphohistiocytic and eosinophilic infiltrate. Direct immunoflurescence demonstrated linear deposition of IgG and C3. These findings supported the diagnosis of BP. The interest of the publication is to present an uncommon condition in childhood that should be suspected in a child with blistering lesions.

Melanoma en rostro y radioterapia complementaria / Melanoma face and adjuvant radiotherapy

El melanoma maligno (MM) es una neoplasia maligna de los melanocitos; abarca al 5% de todos los canceres cutáneos, pero es el responsable del 80% de las muertes por cáncer de piel. Los factoes de riesgo más significativos asociados con el desarrollo de MM son: nevos múltiples, historia familiar de melanoma, antecedente de MM previo, la exposición a radiación ultravioleta, el fenotipo de piel y la inmunosupresión. La biopsia del ganglio centinela constituye una importante herramienta para la estadificación y pronóstico de pacientes con melanoma. La escisión quirúrgica amplia sigue siendo el manejo de elección y la radioterapia postoperatoria emerge como una alternativa de tratamiento complementario eficaz. En relación al melanoma de cabeza y cuello, se considera que aún existe controversia sobre la aplicación de la biopsia del ganglio centinela en esta situación, y si bien se le había otorgado una calidad de radioresistencia a este tumor, nuevos estudios sugieren su aplicación como adyuvancia para ciertas variantes de melanomas. Presentamos un caso de una mujer de 25 años con un melanoma maligno en sien izquierda, con un Breslow de 0,75 mm y evidencia de satelitosis. Se decide no realizar la biopsia del ganglio centinela y coadyuvar la extirpación total de la lesión con radioterapia.

Acantoma de células claras: localización poco habitual / Acantoma of clear cells: little habitual location

El acantoma de células claras( ACC) es un tumor epidérmico benigno. La lesión típica es un pápula o placa bien delimitada, rojiza con algunas costras y escamas periféricas en su superficie. La localización habitual es en miembros inferiores, aunque se han detectado en otros lugares como abdomen y escroto. Presentamos un paciente varón de 80 años que consultó por lesión en areola mamaria izquierda de seis meses de evolución, asintomática; se le realizó biopsia cutánea llegando al diagnóstico de acantoma de células claras. Presentamos este caso clínico debido a la localización infrecuente y dificultad diagnóstica de esta lesión.

Pilomatrixoma en adulto, con presentación clínica infrecuente / Pilomatrixoma in adult, with infrequent clinical presentation

El pilomatrixoma es un tumor benigno con diferenciación hacia las células matriciales del folículo piloso. Usualmente se manifiesta como un nódulo firme, solitario y asintomático de crecimiento lento. Se trata de una neoplasia frecuente en la población pediátrica. El pilomatrixoma dispone de una amplia variedad de características clínicas; a menudo su diagnóstico es erróneo. El tratamiento es la excisión quirúrgica. El diagnóstico diferencial de pilomatrixoma también se debe considerar en pacientes adultos. Presentamos un caso clínico en un varón de 27 años con lesión tumoral clínicamente anetodérmica en muslo derecho cuya histología fue compatible con pilomatrixoma. Destacamos este caso por la baja frecuencia en adultos y su localización inusual.