Qualidade microbiológica da água de escolas públicas do município de Rosário, MA / Microbiological water quality of public schools in the city of Rosario, MA

A água potável é um suprimento indispensável para a qualidade de vida de qualquer indivíduo. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a qualidade microbiológica da água das Escolas Públicas do município de Rosário MA, de agosto de 2007 a janeiro de 2008, utilizando a técnica do Número Mais Provável (NMP/mL) de coliformes totais, coliformes termotolerantes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa e contagem de bactérias heterotróficas mesófilas, segundo a metodologia recomendada pela CETESB, 1996. Os resultados das análises evidenciaram que, em quatro (57,14%) escolas a água estava contaminada por coliformes totais, duas (28,57%) por termotolerantes, cinco (71,42%) por Pseudomonas, enquanto uma (14,28%) apresentou contagem de bactérias heterotróficas acima do limite aceitável. Decorridostrês meses as águas das escolasforam re-avaliadas identificando-se,ainda três (42,85%) com contaminações por coliformes totais, uma(14,28%) por coliformes termotolerantese três (42,85%) por Pseudomonasaeruginosa. Somente naterceira coleta a águas das escolasatenderam à legislação vigente.Alerta-se que a comunidade estudantilda cidade de Rosário estáingerindo água não potável o quepode representar risco para a saúdedesta comunidade. (AU)

The drinking water is an indispensablesuppliment for the quality of lifeof any individual. The objective of thestudy was to evaluate the microbiologicalquality of the water of the PublicSchools in Rosary - MA, from August2007 until January 2008 using thetechnique of the Most likely Number(NMP/mL) of total coliforms, thermotolerantscoliforms, aeruginosaPseudomonas and counting of heterotrophicbacteria mesophilic, accordingto the recommended methodologyfor CETESB, 1996. The resultsof the analyses had evidenced that, infour(57.14%) schools the water werecontaminated by total coliforms, two(28.57%) for thermotolerants, five(71.42%) for Pseudomonas, whileone (14.28%) presented counting ofheterotrophiics bacteria above of theacceptable limit. Passed three monthsthe water of the schools had beenreevaluated identifying itself, stillthree (42.85%) with contaminationfor total coliforms, one (14.28%) forcoliforms thermotolerants and three(42.85%) for aeruginosa Pseudomonas.In the third collection the waterof the schools had only taken care ofthe current law. Alert that the studentscommunity in Rosary is getting notpotable water what can representrisk for the health of this community

Qualidade microbiológica da água de escolas públicas do município de Rosário, MA / Microbiological water quality of public schools in the city of Rosario, MA

A água potável é um suprimento indispensável para a qualidade de vida de qualquer indivíduo. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a qualidade microbiológica da água das Escolas Públicas do município de Rosário – MA, de agosto de 2007 a janeiro de 2008, utilizando a técnica do Número Mais Provável (NMP/mL) de coliformes totais, coliformes termotolerantes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa e contagem de bactérias heterotróficas mesófilas, segundo a metodologia recomendada pela CETESB, 1996. Os resultados das análises evidenciaram que, em quatro (57,14%) escolas a água estava contaminada por coliformes totais, duas (28,57%) por termotolerantes, cinco (71,42%) por Pseudomonas, enquanto uma (14,28%) apresentou contagem de bactérias heterotróficas acima do limite aceitável.

Relative contribution of pre- and post-synaptic effects to the neostigmine-induced recovery of neuromuscular transmission blocked by vecuronium.

The relative contribution of the pre- and post-synaptic effects to the neostigmine-induced recovery of neuromuscular transmission blocked by vecuronium was studied. A conjunction of myographical and electrophysiological techniques was employed. The preparation was the sciatic nerve-extensor digitorum longus muscle of the rat, in vitro. The physiological variables recorded were nerve-evoked twitches (generated at 0.1 Hz), tetanic contractions (generated at 50 Hz) and end-plate potentials (epps), generated in trains of 50 Hz. The epps were analyzed in: amplitude of first epp in the train; mean amplitude of the 30th to the 59th epp in the train (epps-plateau); half-decay time of the epp; early tetanic rundown of epps in the train; plateau tetanic rundown of epps in the train; quantal content of the epps and quantal size. In myographical experiments, a concentration of vecuronium was found (0.8 µm) that affected both twitches and tetanic contractions and a concentration of neostigmine was found (0.048 µm) that completely restored the twitch affected by vecuronium. The cellular effects of vecuronium and neostigmine, studied alone or in association, in the above-mentioned concentrations, were scrutinized by means of electrophysiological techniques. These showed that vecuronium alone decreased the peak amplitude, the quantal content of epps and the quantal size and reinforced the tetanic rundown of epps. Neostigmine alone increased the peak amplitude, the quantal content and the half-decay time of the epps. When employed in the presence of vecuronium, neostigmine increased both the quantal content of the epps (via a presynaptic effect) and the half-decay time of the epps (via a postsynaptic effect). Seeing the pre- and the post-synaptic effects of neostigmine were of similar magnitude, they permit to conclude that both these effects contributed significantly to the restoration by neostigmine of the neuromuscular transmission blocked by vecuronium.

Mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 is involved in differentiation of regenerating myofibers in vivo.

This work was undertaken to provide further insight into the role of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) in skeletal muscle regeneration, focusing on myofiber size recovery. Rats were treated or not with rapamycin, an mTORC1 inhibitor. Soleus muscles were then subjected to cryolesion and analyzed 1, 10, and 21 days later. A decrease in soleus myofiber cross-section area on post-cryolesion days 10 and 21 was accentuated by rapamycin, which was also effective in reducing protein synthesis in these freeze-injured muscles. The incidence of proliferating satellite cells during regeneration was unaltered by rapamycin, although immunolabeling for neonatal myosin heavy chain (MHC) was weaker in cryolesion+rapamycin muscles than in cryolesion-only muscles. In addition, the decline in tetanic contraction of freeze-injured muscles was accentuated by rapamycin. This study indicates that mTORC1 plays a key role in the recovery of muscle mass and the differentiation of regenerating myofibers, independently of necrosis and satellite cell proliferation mechanisms.

Building layer-by-layer a bis(dithiocarbamato)copper(II) complex on Au[111] surfaces.

A bis(dithiocarbamato)copper(II) complex (CuDTC2) was built on Au{111} surfaces (sheets and electrode beads) using different building blocks in a layer-by-layer (LbL) procedure. The process was followed by AFM and cyclic voltammetry. Initially 4-piperidinemethanethiol, which was synthesized here for the first time, was self-assembled on a gold surface and a highly organized array was obtained. The resulting monolayer was treated with CS2 and NH3 to transform the NH groups of piperidine into dithiocarbamate groups (DTC) with the formation of an amphiphilic ligand (DTCpipS) with thiolate and DTC terminal anionic groups. Two reductive desorption peaks were observed in the cyclic voltammogram of self-assembled DTCpipS, a more intense peak at -0.87 V (thiolate group) and a broader, less intense peak at -0.68 V, corresponding to the desorption of the DTC group bound to the gold surface after the ligand made a approximately 180 degrees flip on the surface. Copper(II) and the morpholyldithiocarbamate anion were associated with self-assembled DTCpipS in order to complete the formation of the CuDTC2 complex on the gold surface. In the voltammogram of the LbL self-assembled CuDTC2 complex the reductive desorption peak at -0.68 V disappeared and one single peak was observed at -0.85 V. This corresponds to the reorientation of all of the DTCpipS dianions in order to coordinate to copper(II) through the DTC groups, leaving the self-assembly only through the thiolate groups. The complete formation of the LbL self-assembled CuDTC2 complex was confirmed by XPS and ToF SIMS, with a detected fragment corresponding to the whole complex.

Avaliação da sensibilidade de antimicrobianos a cepas de enterobacteriaceae isoladas de amostras de alface (Lactuca sativa) comercializada na cidade de São Luís-MA / Antimicrobial senstivity evaluation to enterobacteriaceae strains isolated from lettuce (Lactuca sativa) samples commercilized in São Luís-MA(Brazil

Objetivou-se verificar a sensibilidade de cepas de Citrobacter freundii, Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, Klebsiella pneumonias e Enterobacter aerogenes, isoladas de alface (Lactuca sativa), comercializada na cidade de São Luís-MA(Brasil), frente a vários antimicrobianos. As 41 amostras coletadas en cinco feiras de produtos hortifrtigranjeiros foram submetidas ao método rápido API-20E (bio-Mérieux) e ao teste de sensibilidade e antimicrobianos (método de Kirby-Bauer). Os antibióticos testados foram: cefalotina (CFL, 20 ug), ampicilina (AMP, 10 ug), gentamicina (GEN,10 ug), cloranfenicol (CLO, 30 ug), tretaciclina (TET, 30 UG), Cefoxitina (CFO, 30 UG), cefotaxina (CTX, 30 ug), e ácido pipemídico (PIP, 30 UG). Os resultados evidenciaram que, excetuando-se a cefotaxima, todas as cepas foram resistentes aos antbióticos testados. Constatou-se ainda que a Klebsiella pneumoniae, cepa mais resistente aos antimicrobianos, apresentou multirresistência a CFL, AMP, GEM, CLO, TET, CFO e PIP. Os achados permitem concluirque as alfaces comercializadas em feiras da cidade de São Luíz devem ser consumidas com cautela, considerando a potencialidade de contaminação por cepas de enterobactérias multirresistentes a antimicrobianos. Sugere-se assim, cuidadosa desifecção dessas hortaliças como medida de segurança alimentar

Cellular mechanisms of atracurium-induced tetanic fade in the isolated rat muscle.

Although atracurium is a widely used neuromuscular blocker, we still lack knowledge regarding some of its cellular mechanisms of action. Thus, similar to other clinically used blockers atracurium induces, both in vivo and in vitro, fade of the tetanic contraction. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying this tetanic fade have never been systematically studied. In the present work these mechanisms were investigated in vitro. A sciatic nerve extensor digitorum longus muscle preparation of the rat was used. A combination of myographical and electrophysiological techniques was employed. Indirect twitches were evoked at 0.1 Hz and tetanic contractions at 50 Hz. Trains of end-plate potentials were evoked at a frequency of 50 Hz. The electrophysiological variables used in the analysis of the trains of end-plate potentials were: peak amplitude of the first end-plate potential in the train, peak amplitude of plateau end-plate potentials in the train, tetanic run-down of the end-plate potentials' train, quantal content of first and plateau end-plate potentials in the train, quantal size. In the myographical study atracurium, at a concentration of 2.4 microM, induced a complete fade of the tetanic contraction while only slightly affected the twitch. In the electrophysiological study atracurium, at the same 2.4 microM concentration, significantly decreased the amplitude of both first end-plate potentials in the train (control: 14.4 mV; atracurium: 3.2 mV) and plateau end-plate potentials (control: 10.8 mV; atracurium: 2.4 mV) and reinforced the tetanic run-down of the train of end-plate potentials, evaluated as the percent loss in amplitude of plateau end-plate potentials compared to first end-plate potentials in the trains (control: 25.2%; atracurium: 33.2%). Atracurium also significantly decreased the quantal content of first end-plate potentials in the train (control: 231; atracurium: 68), the quantal content of plateau end-plate potentials (control: 159; atracurium: 42) and the quantal size (control: 0.119 mV; atracurium: 0.075 mV). In relative terms the decrease in quantal content was about twice as large as the decrease in quantal size. This indicates that the fade of the tetanic contraction induced by atracurium (2.4 microM) is due to both pre- and postsynaptic blocking effects, the presynaptic one being stronger.

Ocorrência de Vibrio parahaemolyticus em sarnambi (Anomalocardia brasiliana) e sururu (Mytella falcata) capturados no estuário do rio Anil, São Luís, MA / Occurrence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in sarnambi (Anomalocardia brasiliana) and sururu (Mytella falcata) captured in the estuary of him I River Anil, São Luís, MA

Isolada a bactéria de V. parahaemolyticus em moluscos (sarnambi: Anomalocardia brasiliana e sururu: Mytella falcata) ôin naturaö no estuário do Rio Anil (São Luís-MA), foi estudada com objetivo de avaliar os riscos potenciais á saúde pública decorrente do consumo destes organismos pela população local. Foram realizadas coletas mensais em bancos naturais localizados na zona estuarina do corpo hídrico, totalizando 11 amostras de sururu, entre setembro de 2001 a agosto de 2002. A metodologia utilizada para pesquisa de V. parahaemolyticus foi baseada na técnica do Número Mais Provável peptonada alcalina (APA) e subseqüente isolamento em Agar (tiossulfato-citrato-sacarose-sais biliares) TCBS e testes bioquímicos. Adicionalmente foram monitorados ôin situö os parâmetros físico-químicos: temperatura e salinidade da água, utilizando-se termo-salinômetro YSI 33. Os resultados evidenciaram positividade para v. parahaemolyticus em 51,5 por cento das amostras de sururu e 61,4 por cento para sarnambi. Os NMP da bactéria em estudo indicaram índices de 6,1x10a>1,1x10.5g para o sururu excedendo, em alguns períodos do ano, o limite de 10 estabelecido pela Portaria n. 12;2001 do Ministério da Saúde. Os dados obtidos indicam que o consumo de sarnambi e sururu do Rio Anil deve ser efetuado com cautela pela população local, uma vez que há um risco potencial de toxinose alimentar por V. parahaemolyticus desde, que estes moluscos não sejam preparados adequadamente. Há necessidade de aplicação de ações de cunho ambiental visando a recuperação da área.

Cellular mechanisms of atracurium-induced tetanic fade in the isolated rat muscle

Although atracurium is a widely used neuromuscular blocker, we still lack knowledge regarding some of its cellular mechanisms of action. Thus, similar to other clinically used blockers atracurium induces, both in vivo and in vitro, fade of the tetanic contraction. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying this tetanic fade have never been systematically studied. In the present work these mechanisms were investigated in vitro. A sciatic nerve extensor digitorum longus muscle preparation of the rat was used. A combination of myographical and electrophysiological techniques was employed. Indirect twitches were evoked at 0.1 Hz and tetanic contractions at 50 Hz. Trains of end-plate potentials were evoked at a frequency of 50 Hz. The electrophysiological variables used in the analysis of the trains of end-plate potentials were peak amplitude of the first end-plate potential in the train, peak amplitude of plateau end-plate potentials in the train, tetanic run-down of the end-plate potentials' train, quantal content of first and plateau end-plate potentials in the train, quantal size. In the myographical study atracurium, at a concentration of 2.4 microM, induced a complete fade of the tetanic contraction while only slightly affected the twitch. In the electrophysiological study atracurium, at the same 2.4 microM concentration, significantly decreased the amplitude of both first end-plate potentials in the train (control 14.4 mV; atracurium 3.2 mV) and plateau end-plate potentials (control 10.8 mV; atracurium 2.4 mV) and reinforced the tetanic run-down of the train of end-plate potentials, evaluated as the percent loss in amplitude of plateau end-plate potentials compared to first end-plate potentials in the trains (control 25.2%; atracurium 33.2%). Atracurium also significantly decreased the quantal content of first end-plate potentials in the train (control 231; atracurium 68), the quantal content of plateau end-plate potentials (control 159; atracurium 42) and the quantal size (control 0.119 mV; atracurium 0.075 mV). In relative terms the decrease in quantal content was about twice as large as the decrease in quantal size. This indicates that the fade of the tetanic contraction induced by atracurium (2.4 microM) is due to both pre- and postsynaptic blocking effects, the presynaptic one being stronger.

Evaluation of physical and chemical parameters and research on Vibrio parahaemolyticus in water samples from Anil river estuary (São Luis, state of Maranhão, Brazil)- DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v25i2.1978 / Avaliação de parâmetros físicos e químicos e pesquisa de Vibrio parahaemolyticus em águas do estuário do rio Anil (São Luís, Estado do Maranhão) - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v25i2.1978

Study of physical and chemical parameters and isolation of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in some water samples from Anil river estuary (São Luis, state of Maranhão, Brazil) at natural banks of mollusks. The technique of the most probable number (MPN) with enrichment and a subsequent isolation was used in Thiosulphate citrate bile salt agar (TCBS). In addition, some physical and chemical parameters were monitored in situ. The determinations for pH varied (7.25 to 7.90), O2 (0.20 to 1.2mg/L), TC (29 to 32C), S, (5 to 28.0 UPS), NH4+ (0.04 to 3.41mg/L), NO2- (0.10 to 1.91mg/L), PO43- (0.03 to 4.88mg/L). The presence of V. parahaemolyticus was detected in 56.1% of station I and 55.4% of station II with levels from 1.1x10 to 1.1x105MPN/mL). The results require some special attention from the environmental control and Public Health organizations as soon as possible because the riverain communities are exploring the alive resources from that ecosystem as their own feeding and commerce

Avaliação dos parâmetros físico-químicos e isolamento de Vibrio parahaemolyticus em águas do estuário do rio Anil (São Luís-MA, Brasil), em bancos naturais de moluscos. Foi utilizada a técnica do Número Mais Provável (NMP) com enriquecimento e subseqüente isolamento em agar tiossulfato-citrato-sacarose-sais-biliares (TCBS). Adicionalmente, foram monitorados in situ alguns parâmetros físico-químicos. As determinações para o pH variaram (7,25 a 7,90), O2 (0,20 a 1,2mg/L), TC (29 a 32C), S (5 a 28,0 UPS), NH4+ (0,04 a 3,41mg/L), NO2- (0,10 a 1,91mg/L), PO43- (0,03 a 4,88mg/L). Em 56,1% na estação I e 55,4% na estação II, apresentaram positividade, para V. parahaemolyticus, com níveis entre 1,1x10 e > 1,1x105NMP/mL. Os resultados exigem uma atenção especial por parte dos órgãos de Controle Ambiental e de Saúde Pública locais, uma vez que os recursos vivos deste ecossistema são sistematicamente explorados pelas comunidades ribeirinhas para fins de consumo e comercialização

Evaluation of physical and chemical parameters and research on Vibrio parahaemolyticus in water samples from Anil river estuary (São Luis, state of Maranhão, Brazil)- DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v25i2.1978 / Avaliação de parâmetros físicos e químicos e pesquisa de Vibrio parahaemolyticus em águas do estuário do rio Anil (São Luís, Estado do Maranhão) - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v25i2.1978

Study of physical and chemical parameters and isolation of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in some water samples from Anil river estuary (São Luis, state of Maranhão, Brazil) at natural banks of mollusks. The technique of the most probable number (MPN) with enrichment and a subsequent isolation was used in Thiosulphate citrate bile salt agar (TCBS). In addition, some physical and chemical parameters were monitored in situ. The determinations for pH varied (7.25 to 7.90), O2 (0.20 to 1.2mg/L), TC (29 to 32C), S, (5 to 28.0 UPS), NH4+ (0.04 to 3.41mg/L), NO2- (0.10 to 1.91mg/L), PO43- (0.03 to 4.88mg/L). The presence of V. parahaemolyticus was detected in 56.1% of station I and 55.4% of station II with levels from 1.1x10 to 1.1x105MPN/mL). The results require some special attention from the environmental control and Public Health organizations as soon as possible because the riverain communities are exploring the alive resources from that ecosystem as their own feeding and commerce

Avaliação dos parâmetros físico-químicos e isolamento de Vibrio parahaemolyticus em águas do estuário do rio Anil (São Luís-MA, Brasil), em bancos naturais de moluscos. Foi utilizada a técnica do Número Mais Provável (NMP) com enriquecimento e subseqüente isolamento em agar tiossulfato-citrato-sacarose-sais-biliares (TCBS). Adicionalmente, foram monitorados in situ alguns parâmetros físico-químicos. As determinações para o pH variaram (7,25 a 7,90), O2 (0,20 a 1,2mg/L), TC (29 a 32C), S (5 a 28,0 UPS), NH4+ (0,04 a 3,41mg/L), NO2- (0,10 a 1,91mg/L), PO43- (0,03 a 4,88mg/L). Em 56,1% na estação I e 55,4% na estação II, apresentaram positividade, para V. parahaemolyticus, com níveis entre 1,1x10 e > 1,1x105NMP/mL. Os resultados exigem uma atenção especial por parte dos órgãos de Controle Ambiental e de Saúde Pública locais, uma vez que os recursos vivos deste ecossistema são sistematicamente explorados pelas comunidades ribeirinhas para fins de consumo e comercialização

New evidence for a presynaptic action of prednisolone at neuromuscular junctions.

The action of prednisolone at the neuromuscular junction was studied in mouse isolated phrenic nerve-diaphragm and rat external popliteal/sciatic nerve-tibialis anterior muscle preparations. Prednisolone (0.03 mM and 0.3 mM) did not alter the twitch-tension in phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparations after 120 min, but increased the frequency (170 +/- 4%) and amplitude (200 +/- 13%) of miniature end-plate potentials. Quantal content was not influenced by the glucocorticoid treatment. Prednisolone (400 microg/kg) did not change the twitch-tension in rat external popliteal/sciatic nerve-tibialis anterior muscle preparations. However, this steroid (0.3 mM) prevented the neuromuscular blockade by d-tubocurarine (1.45 microM) in mouse preparations by 70 +/- 10% (P < 0.05). A similar effect (82 +/- 6% protection, P < 0.05) occurred in rats treated with prednisolone (400 microg/kg) before d-tubocurarine (225 microg/kg). In phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparations, prednisolone (0.3 mM) increased (13 +/- 4%, p < 0.05) the twitch-tension in the presence of beta-bungarotoxin (1 microM), and prevented the blockade produced by this toxin (0.15 microM) in its third phase of action. This presynaptic facilitatory effect may contribute to the usefulness of prednisolone in myasthenia gravis.