Evaluation of the effects of chronic occupational exposure to metallic mercury on the thyroid parenchyma and hormonal function.

INTRODUCTION: Experiments in animals exposed to mercury (Hg) in different chemical states have shown thyroid parenchymal and hormone alterations. However, these experiments did not allow the establishment of dose-response curves or provide an understanding of whether these Hg effects on the thyroid parenchyma occur in humans. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between chronic occupational exposure to metallic Hg and alterations in thyroid hormones and gland parenchyma 14 years after the last exposure. METHODS: A cross-sectional study including 55 males exposed in the past to metallic Hg and 55 non-exposed males, paired by age, was conducted in the Hospital das Clínicas (Brazil) from 2016 to 2017. Serum concentrations of total and free triiodothyronine (TT3 and FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyrotropin (TSH), reverse T3 (RT3), selenium and antithyroid antibody titers were obtained. The Hg and iodine concentrations were measured in urine. The thyroid parenchyma was evaluated by B-mode ultrasonography with Doppler. The nodules with aspects suspicious for malignancy were submitted to aspiration puncture with a thin needle, and the cytology assessment was classified by the Bethesda system. The t test or Mann-Whitney test, Chi-square test and Spearman correlation were used to compare the exposed and non-exposed groups and examine the relationships between the variables. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to trace determinants of the risk of thyroid hormone alteration. Statistical significance was defined by p < 0.05. RESULTS: The urinary Hg average was significantly higher in the exposed group than in the non-exposed group (p < 0.01). The mean TSH serum concentration in the exposed group was higher, with a statistically significant difference between the groups (p = 0.03). Serum concentrations of TSH exceeded the normality limit (4.20 µIU/ml) in 13 exposed individuals (27.3%) and 4 non-exposed individuals (7.3%), with a statistically significant association between the hormonal increase and exposure to Hg (p = 0.02). In the logistic regression model, exposure to Hg (yes or no) showed an odds ratio = 4.86 associated with an increase of TSH above the normal limit (p = 0.04). The serum concentrations of RT3 showed a statistically borderline difference between the groups (p = 0.06). There was no statistically significant difference between the mean TT3, FT3 and FT4 serum concentrations in the Hg-exposed group compared to the non-exposed group. The proportions of the echogenicity alterations were higher in the exposed group compared to the non-exposed group (27.3% versus 9.1%; p = 0.03). Papillary carcinomas were documented in three exposed individuals and one non-exposed individual. A follicular carcinoma was recorded in one non-exposed individual. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the higher serum TSH concentration and the prevalence of parenchymal alterations in the Hg-exposed group, even after cessation of exposure, it is recommended that the thyroid status of exposed workers be followed for a long period.

Knowledge Among University Students in Rio de Janeiro Regarding Transplant Organ Donation.

INTRODUCTION: Organ transplantation is often the only possible treatment to save the lives of patients with end-stage organ failure. Limiting factors include failure to notify in cases of patients with brain death, the inefficient procurement and distribution of organs, the lack of specific educational policies for health care professionals, lack of knowledge on the organ transplantation process, and family refusal for organ donation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the knowledge of students enrolled in different undergraduate university courses in Rio de Janeiro on the regulations and strategies governing transplant organ donation in Brazil. METHODS: This qualitative, observational study used a 10-item questionnaire aimed at obtaining data on respondents' general knowledge regarding organ donation and transplantation. The questionnaire was applied using either a printed or an electronic version developed on Google Forms and was completed anonymously. RESULTS: Overall, 587 questionnaires were completed. The participants were divided into 3 groups according to their field of study: 256 (43.6%) from courses related to arts and humanities, 159 (27.1%) from science and technology-related courses, and 172 (29.3%) from the biomedical field. Most respondents (396; 67.5%) were unaware of the criteria required to be an organ transplant donor. CONCLUSION: There is a significant lack of knowledge among university students on issues related to the organ donation and transplantation process in Brazil.

Cyanophyceae/Cyanobacteria in red mangrove forest at Mosquitos and Coqueiros estuaries, São Luís, state of Maranhão, Brazil.

This paper provides the results of a taxonomic survey of the Cyanophyceae/Cyanobacteria in a frenge red mangrove forest in the estuaries of Estreito dos Mosquitos and Coqueiros, São Luís, State of Maranhão, Brazil. A total of 15 taxa were identified in 8 families, as follows: Synechoccaceae (2), Chroococcaceae (1), Hyellaceae (1), Xenococcaceae (1), Oscillatoriaceae (1), Scytonemataceae (2), Phormidiaceae (5) and Pseudanabaenaceae (2). The species listed in this paper are all new descriptions for Maranhão, and one of them is a new occurrence for Brazil.

Cyanophyceae/Cyanobacteria in red mangrove forest at Mosquitos and Coqueiros estuaries, Säo Luís, State of Maranhäo, Brazil

This paper provides the results of a taxonomic survey of the Cyanophyceae/Cyanobacteria in a frenge red mangrove forest in the estuaries of Estreito dos Mosquitos and Coqueiros, Säo Luís, State of Maranhäo, Brazil. A total of 15 taxa were identified in 8 families, as follows: Synechoccaceae (2), Chroococcaceae (1), Hyellaceae (1), Xenococcaceae (1), Oscillatoriaceae (1), Scytonemataceae (2), Phormidiaceae (5) and Pseudanabaenaceae (2). The species listed in this paper are all new descriptions for Maranhäo, and one of them is a new ocurrence for Brazil.

Prediction of death using the Mannheim Peritonitis Index in oncologic patients

O Índice de Peritonite de Mannheim (MPI) é um sistema de escore idealizado para avaliar o prognóstico de pacientes com peritonite. Realizamos um estudo retrospectivo de oito anos dos prontuários de 89 pacientes com doença maligna e peritonite submetidos a cirurgia. O índice médio foi de 26.6 pontos (5-47), com sensibilidade de 87,3 por cento e especificidade de 41,2 por cento. A melhor acurácia (69,7 por cento) foi obtida com o escore de 21. Concluimos que o MPI foi um preditor de morte confiável em pacientes oncológicos com peritonite e pode ser de utilidade no planejamento e avaliação de futuras formas de tratamento nestes pacientes.

Measurement of gastric emptying of solid meal using scitigraphy with 99mTccoloidal sulfur and breath test with 14C-acid octanoic

The gastric emptying rate of solids was measures in 33 volunteers (19 female 14 male, mean age 38.2 (24-74) years) by scintigraphy and 14-C-octanoic acid breattest. Eleven participants were normal controls, 11 had functional dyspepsia, 5 patients were diabetic and 6 patients had pyloric stenosis due to peptic ulcer. Methods: The test meal consisted of an omelet labeled with 99mTc-sulfur colloid and 14C-octanoic acid for scitigraphy and breath tes, respectively. Radioscintigraphic scans were obtained every 15 min for a period of 150 min and breath samples were taken every 15 min for a period of 4 hours. Reults: the half gastric emptying time (t1/2) and lag phase (tlag) in diabetica and dyspeptic volunteers measured by scintigraphy and breath tes showed higher values than in controls. Two out 6 patients with pyloric stenosis showed gastric emptying rate delayed when compared with controls. There was a positive and significant (p<0.0001) correlation between the t1/2 determined by scintigraphy and breath test. Conclusions: 14C-octanoic acid breath test is a reliable and sensitive method that can be used as an alternative procedure to measure gastric emptying rat of solids

NaCl-stimulated proton efflux and cell expansion in sugar-beet leaf discs.

The expansion of illuminated sugar-beet leaf discs floating on aqueous solutions is stimulated by 10 mM NaCl. During expansion, protons are pumped out of the cell and NaCl increases this proton flux by about 40%. The nett flux of K(+) and Na(+) into the discs was also evaluated. During the expansion period K(+) decreases while Na(+) increases markedly. The results indicate the existence of a sodium-stimulated proton pump which is active during cell enlargement.