Unexpected positive cultures of humeral head detected with dithiothreitol in primary shoulder arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Unexpected positive cultures (UPCs) are frequently observed in primary shoulder arthroplasty, and its clinical significance has not yet been well defined. This study aimed to evaluate the UPCs in humeral head in primary shoulder replacement and to understand if UPCs increase in patients with risk factors for contamination (previous surgery or infiltrations). METHODS: Patients undergoing total shoulder replacement were enrolled in this prospective observational study. To reduce the risk of humeral head contamination, all known procedures to reduce Cutibacterium acnes burden of the skin were implemented. Patients were divided into 2 groups, namely, patients who had undergone previous rotator cuff repair or infiltration and patients with no risk factors for contamination. All the humeral heads harvested were treated with dl-dithiothreitol, in a specific device (MicroDTTect), to increase the sensitivity of the cultures for bacterial identification. The cultures were analyzed for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria for up to 14 days. RESULTS: The UPCs' positivity rate of the 80 patients in the study was 19% (15 patients). The positivity rates for UPCs in the group with and without risk factors were 30% (12 patients) and 7.5% (3 patients), respectively. The rate of positive culture was higher in men (87%) than in women (13%). The observed positivity was due to C acnes and Peptoniphilus asaccharolyticus, both slow-growing anaerobes. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with previous surgery or infiltrations had a 4-fold higher rate of positivity for UPCs compared with patients without previous risk factors. The higher percentage of positivity in patients with risk factors could be related to changes in the joint microenvironment after shoulder procedures. We do not know whether the presence of UPCs could be associated with the development of periprosthetic infections at longer follow-up.

Microbiological hazard identification in river waters used for recreational activities.

Pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and parasites can cause waterborne disease outbreaks. The study of coastal water quality contributes to identifying potential risks to human health and to improving water management practices. The Río de la Plata River, a wide estuary in South America, is used for recreational activities, as a water source for consumption and as a site for sewage discharges. In the present study, as the first step of a quantitative microbial risk assessment of the coastal water quality of this river, a descriptive study was performed to identify the microbial pathogens prevalent in its waters and in the sewage discharged into the river. Two sites, representing two different potential risk scenarios, were chosen: a heavily polluted beach and an apparently safe beach. Conductivity and fecal contamination indicators including enterococci, Escherichia coli, F + RNA bacteriophages, and human polyomaviruses showed high levels. Regarding enterococci, differences between sites were significant (p-values <0.001). 93.3% and 56.5% of the apparently safe beach exceeded the recreational water limits for E. coli and enterococci. Regarding pathogens, diarrheagenic E. coli, Salmonella, and noroviruses were detected with different frequencies between sites. The parasites Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis were frequently detected in both sites. The results regarding viral, bacterial, and parasitic pathogens, even without correlation with conventional indicators, showed the importance of monitoring a variety of microorganisms to determine water quality more reliably and accurately, and to facilitate further studies of health risk assessment. The taxonomic description of microbial pathogens in river waters allow identifying the microorganisms that infect the population living on its shores but also pathogens not previously reported by the clinical surveillance system.

Colorectal cancer with synchronous unresectable liver metastases: resecting the primary tumor improves survival.

PURPOSE: The optimal treatment strategy of patients affected by colorectal cancer (CRC) with synchronous unresectable liver metastases (SULM) is at present undefined. It is not known if a palliative primary tumor resection followed by chemotherapy could have a survival benefit compared to upfront chemotherapy (CT). The aim of the study is to analyze the safety and effectiveness of both therapeutic strategies in a group of patients treated at one institution. METHODS: A prospectively collected database was queried for patients affected by colorectal cancer with synchronous unresectable liver metastases between January 2004 and December 2018, defining and comparing 2 groups: patients treated by chemotherapy alone (group 1) vs patients who underwent primary tumor resection with or without a first line chemotherapy (group 2). The primary end point was Overall Survival (OS), estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-seven patients were included: 52 in group 1 and 115 in group 2, median follow-up 48 months (range 25-126). A difference of 14 months in overall survival was observed between group 2 compared to group 1 (28 vs 14 months respectively; p < 0.001). Furthermore, overall survival increased in patients who underwent liver metastases resection (p < 0.001) or percutaneous radiofrequency ablation after surgery (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: With the limits of a retrospective analysis, the study shows that surgical resection of the primary tumor has a significant impact on survival compared to chemotherapy alone. Randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these data.

Risk of COVID-19 in frontline healthcare workers and interventions: a systematic review / Risco de COVID-19 em profissionais de saúde da linha de frente e intervenções: revisão sistemática

Objective: to identify the evidence related to the risks of SARS-CoV-2 exposure in healthcare workers and the interventions adopted. Method: systematic literature review in eight scientific databases and three gray literature repositories. Results: 26 studies identified as risk factors: scarcity, inadequate use or reuse of personal equipment; low adherence to precautionary measures; working in intensive care and COVID-19 sectors; long stay in a closed work environment; sharing eating areas without the use of masks and distance; low knowledge and unpreparedness for disease management. 12 studies identified as interventions: health surveillance programs with early detection, diagnosis and early withdrawal; organization of care flows; double triage; telemedicine; limitation of visits; creation of exclusive sectors for care to COVID-19; qualification and training with virtual tools and simulation. Conclusion: besides the risk of infection, individual, psychosocial and organizational factors made the healthcare work environment unsafe. Interventions should be adopted to mitigate the risks and decrease the professionals' morbidity and mortality.

Objetivo: identificar as evidências relacionadas aos riscos de exposição ao SARS-CoV-2 em profissionais de saúde e as intervenções adotadas. Método: revisão sistemática de literatura em oito bases de dados científicas e três repositórios de literatura cinzenta. Resultados: 26 estudos identificaram como fator de risco: escassez, uso inadequado ou reuso de equipamentos individuais; baixa adesão às medidas de precaução; atuação em terapia intensiva e setores COVID-19; longa permanência em ambiente de trabalho fechado; compartilhamento de espaços para alimentação sem uso de máscara e distanciamento; baixo conhecimento e despreparo para atendimento à doença. 12 estudos identificaram como intervenções:  programas de vigilância em saúde com detecção precoce, diagnóstico e afastamento precoce; organização de fluxos de atendimento; triagem dupla; telemedicina; limitação de visitas; criação de setores exclusivos para atendimento à COVID-19; capacitações e treinamentos com ferramentas virtuais e simulação. Conclusão: além do risco de infecção, fatores individuais, psicossociais e organizacionais tornaram o ambiente de trabalho em saúde inseguro. Intervenções devem ser adotadas para mitigar os riscos e diminuir a morbimortalidade dos profissionais.

Cultural adaptation and updating of the Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers in the context of covid-19 questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE: to translate and culturally adapt the Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers in the context of covid-19 questionnaire to the Brazilian context and to develop and evaluate a sociodemographic and occupational characterization questionnaire to compose the adapted questionnaire. METHOD: five stages were conducted to adapt the Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers in the context of covid-19 questionnaire, namely: translation, synthesis of the translations, evaluation by a committee of judges, back translation and pre-test. As for the complementary questionnaire, it was elaborated and evaluated by a committee of judges and a pre-test was carried out. RESULTS: the questionnaires were validated and the pre-test stage was conducted with health workers and students. CONCLUSION: the final version adapted to the Brazilian context was called Questionário de avaliação de risco e gestão da exposição de trabalhadores e estudantes de saúde no contexto da covid-19 and is available for use, together with the final version of the Sociodemographic and occupational questionnaire: Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers and students in the context of covid-19. These questionnaires may assist in mitigating the risks of infection, illness and death of health workers and students due to covid-19.

O Uso de Tecnologias de Comunicação e Informação no Processo de Ensino Aprendizagem: uma Inovação diante da Pandemia / Use of communication and information technologies in the teaching and learning process: na innovation facing the pandemic / Uso de las tecnologías de la comunicación y de la información en el proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje: una innovación ante la pandemia

O objetivo foi identificar as estratégias tecnológicas utilizadas no processo de ensino e aprendizagem pela enfermagem durante a pandemia. Esta revisão de escopo seguiu as recomendações propostas pelo Preferred Reporting Itens for Systematic Reviews and MEta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR), Como estratégia de busca para seleção dos artigos, realizou-se a varredura online nas bases de dados Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS), Health Information from the National Library of Medicine (PUBMED). Os estudos apontam a necessidade de adaptar-se às novas contingências, assim como um desafio à educação no mundo. A preocupação com a continuidade dos processos educacionais de pesquisa e extensão também se configurou como um desafio a ser trabalhado e o aprendizado virtual passou então a ser entendido como uma inovação enquanto estratégia para minimizar os danos da aprendizagem, assim como a incorporação das tecnologias de comunicação e informação. Contudo, não podemos deixar a necessidade da presença do professor que incentiva e proporciona a reflexão do aluno capaz de leva-lo ao desenvolvimento das habilidades competências e atitudes necessárias a formação do enfermeiro. (AU)

Objective: Identify the technological strategies used in the teaching and learning process by nursing during the pandemic. Methods: This scope review followed the recommendations proposed by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and MEta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). in Health (BVS), Health Information from the National Library of Medicine (PUBMED). Results: Studies point to the need to adapt to new contingencies, as well as a challenge to education in the world. The concern with the continuity of educational research and extension processes was also a challenge to be worked on and virtual learning then came to be understood as an innovation as a strategy to minimize the damage of learning, as well as the incorporation of communication technologies and information. Conclusion: There is need for the presence of the teacher who encourages and provides the student's reflection capable of taking him/her to the development of skills, competences and attitudes necessary for nursing education. (AU)

Objetivo: Identificar las estrategias tecnológicas utilizadas en el proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje por parte de la enfermería durante la pandemia. Métodos: Esta revisión del alcance siguió las recomendaciones propuestas por la extensión Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews y MEta-Analyzes para Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). In Health (BVS), Health Information de la National Library of Medicine (PUBMED). Resultados: Los estudios apuntan a la necesidad de adaptarse a nuevas contingencias, así como a un desafío para la educación en el mundo. La preocupación por la continuidad de los procesos de investigación y extensión educativa fue también un desafío a trabajar y entonces el aprendizaje virtual pasó a entenderse como una innovación como estrategia para minimizar el daño del aprendizaje, así como la incorporación de las tecnologías de la comunicación y la información. Conclusión: Es necesaria la presencia del profesor que aliente y brinde la reflexión del alumno capaz de llevarlo al desarrollo de habilidades, competencias y actitudes necesarias para la formación en enfermería. (AU)

Uma década de cooperação técnica por meio dos Laboratórios de Inovação em Saúde / A decade of technical cooperation through health innovation laboratories / Una década de cooperación técnica a través de laboratorios de innovación en salud

Objetivo: Relatar os 10 anos da ferramenta de cooperação técnica desenvolvida pela Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde/Organização Mundial da Saúde (OPAS/OMS) no Brasil, por meio dos Laboratórios de Inovação em Saúde (LIS). Métodos: Estudo descritivo do tipo relato de experiência. Resultados: A iniciativa identifica, sistematiza e divulga experiências inovadoras e bem-sucedidas pelos profissionais de saúde no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Aborda temas sobre redes de atenção em saúde, atenção à saúde a populações em situação de vulnerabilidade, ampliação do acesso à atenção primária à saúde e, na edição mais recente, as contribuições da Enfermagem para o fortalecimento do SUS. A cooperação técnica é realizada em parceria com o Conselho Federal de Enfermagem, Ministério da Saúde, Conselho Nacional de Secretários de Saúde, entre outros. Conclusão: Além da disseminação de conhecimento, as experiências divulgadas têm um efeito de superação e motivação, tornando-se um reconhecimento da qualidade das equipes de saúde. (AU)

Objective: To report the 10 years of the technical cooperation tool developed by the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) in Brazil, through the Health Innovation Laboratories (LIS). Methods: Descriptive study of the experience report type. Results: The initiative identifies, systematizes and disseminates innovative and successful experiences practiced in the Unified Health System (SUS) by health professionals and addresses issues on health care networks, health care for populations in vulnerable situations, expansion of access to care primary health care and, in the most recent edition, focusing on the contributions of the Nursing category to the strengthening of the SUS. Technical cooperation is carried out in partnership with the Federal Council of Nursing, the Ministry of Health, the National Council of Health Secretaries, among others. Conclusion: In addition to the dissemination of knowledge, the experiences disseminated have an overcoming and motivational effect, becoming a recognition of the quality of healthcare teams. (AU)

Objetivo: Informar los 10 años de la herramienta de cooperación técnica desarrollada por la Organización Panamericana de la Salud/Organización Mundial de la Salud (OPS / OMS) en Brasil, a través de los Laboratorios de Innovación en Salud (LIS). Métodos: Estudio descriptivo del tipo de relato de experiencia. Resultados: La iniciativa identifica, sistematiza y difunde experiencias innovadoras y exitosas practicadas en el Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) por profesionales de la salud y aborda temas sobre redes de atención de salud, atención a poblaciones en situación de vulnerabilidad, ampliación del acceso a la atención primaria de salud y, en la edición más reciente, enfocada en los aportes de la categoría Enfermería al fortalecimiento del SUS. La cooperación técnica se realiza en alianza con el Consejo Federal de Enfermería, el Ministerio de Salud, el Consejo Nacional de Secretarios de Salud, entre otros. Conclusión: Además de la difusión del conocimiento, las experiencias difundidas tienen un efecto superador y motivador, convirtiéndose en un reconocimiento a la calidad de los equipos de salud. (AU)

Laboratório de Inovação em Saúde: o protagonismo da enfermagem em iniciativas inovadoras e exitosas / Health innovation laboratory: the role of nursing in innovative and successful initiatives / Laboratorio de innovación en salud: el papel de la enfermería en iniciativas innovadoras y exitosas

Objetivo: Descrever as etapas e resultados do Laboratório de Inovação em Enfermagem: Valorizar e Fortalecer a Saúde Universal, desenvolvido pela Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde e Conselho Federal de Enfermagem. Método: Relato de experiência do Laboratório de Inovação em Enfermagem, desenvolvido de agosto de 2019 a dezembro de 2020, com a descrição das três etapas do processo de seleção. Descrição da experiência: O Edital de Seleção priorizou dois temas: Valorização da enfermagem e Ampliação do escopo de práticas de enfermagem. Na 1ª etapa, 329 relatos foram inscritos. Desse total, 39 foram selecionados. Na 2ª. etapa, essas 39 experiências foram apresentadas em Seminário de Avaliação, tendo sido escolhidas 24 para a etapa seguinte. Na 3ª fase, esses projetos receberam visitas técnicas e 16 foram considerados os mais exitosos e inovadores. Considerações finais: A diversidade dos temas abordados nas experiências mostra a importância da enfermagem para a integralidade da atenção à saúde e ressalta quão amplo é o trabalho da enfermagem no SUS e a importância de iniciativas de fortalecimento e valorização destas experiências. (AU)

Objective: To describe the steps and results of the Innovation Laboratory in Nursing: Valuing and Strengthening Universal Health, developed by the Pan American Health Organization and the Federal Nursing Council. Methods: Experience report of the Nursing Innovation Laboratory, developed from August 2019 to December 2020, describing the three stage proccess. Results: The Selection Notice prioritized two themes: Valuing nursing and Expanding the scope of nursing practices. In the 1st stage, 329 reports were registered. Of this total, 39 were selected. On the 2nd. In this stage, these 39 experiences were presented in an Evaluation Seminar, and 24 were chosen for the next stage. In the 3rd phase, these projects were visited and 16 were considered the most successful and innovative. Conclusion: The diversity of themes addressed in the experiences shows the importance of nursing for comprehensive health care and highlights how broad the work of nursing is in the SUS and the importance of strengthening and valuing these experiences. (AU)

Objetivo: Describir los pasos y resultados del Laboratorio de Innovación en Enfermería: Valoración y Fortalecimiento de la Salud Universal, desarrollado por la Organización Panamericana de la Salud y el Consejo Federal de Enfermería. Métodos: Informe de experiencia del Laboratorio de Innovación en Enfermería, desarrollado de agosto de 2019 a diciembre de 2020, describiendo las tres etapas del proceso de selección. Resultados: El Aviso de Selección priorizó dos temas: Valoración de la enfermería y Ampliación del alcance de las prácticas de enfermería. En la 1a etapa se registraron 329 informes. De este total, se seleccionaron 39. El 2do. etapa, estas 39 experiencias fueron presentadas en un Seminario de Evaluación, de las cuales 24 fueron elegidas para la siguiente etapa. En la 3a fase, estos proyectos recibieron visitas técnicas y 16 fueron considerados los más exitosos e innovadores. Conclusión: La diversidad de temas abordados en las experiencias muestra la importancia de la enfermería para la atención integral de la salud y resalta la amplitud del trabajo de la enfermería en el SUS y la importancia de fortalecer y valorar estas experiencias. (AU)

Assessment of Microbiological Quality of Fresh Vegetables and Oysters Produced in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina.

Fresh vegetables and shellfish are prone to microbial contamination through irrigation or breeding with sewage-polluted waters, as well as by infected food handlers. In this work, we studied the presence of human and bovine polyomaviruses and human norovirus in fresh lettuces, strawberries and oysters produced in Buenos Aires province, Argentina. In oysters, we also investigated F-specific RNA bacteriophages, indicator Escherichia coli (E. coli) and pathogen bacteria of concern (Salmonella spp., Vibrio spp.). Within vegetables, we found viral contamination of human origin given the presence of human-associated polyomaviruses -MCPyV, HPyV6, JCPyV, and SV40- in lettuce and strawberry samples (16 and 10%, respectively), probably coming from irrigation waters and food handling. Among oysters, human (MCPyV, 4.2%) and bovine (BPyV1, 8.4%) polyomaviruses were detected even with low counts of E. coli. Bacteriophages (n = 3) and Salmonella spp. (n = 1) were also found, while Vibrio spp. was not detected. These results may indicate that the contamination in oysters comes from human and animal excreta, probably present in breeding waters. Norovirus was not detected in any food sample. To our knowledge, this is the first description of SV40 in lettuces and MCPyV and BPyV1 in oysters. The detection of different viral contaminants encourages further studies to evaluate the need for including viral indicators in microbiological standards. The identification of possible sources and routes of contamination using viral markers during routine microbiological controls, such as the polyomaviruses used in this work, would be useful to focus attention on the most hazardous stages of the food production chain.

Cultural adaptation and update of the Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers in the context of COVID-19 questionnaire for the Brazilian context / Adaptação cultural e atualização do questionário Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers in the context of COVID-19 para o contexto brasileiro

Objective: To translate and adapt culturally the Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers in the context of COVID-19 questionnaire to the Brazilian context, to develop and evaluate a "Socio-demographic and occupational questionnaire: risk assessment and exposure management for health workers and students in the context of COVID-19 ". Method: a methodological study, whose cultural adaptation process for the Brazilian context of the first questionnaire was carried out in f

Objetivo: Traduzir e adaptar culturalmente o questionário Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers in the context of COVID-19 para o contexto brasileiro, elaborar e avaliar um "Questionário sociodemográfico e ocupacional: avaliação de risco e gestão da exposição de trabalhadores e estudantes de saúde no contexto da COVID-19". Método: estudo metodológico, cujo processo de adaptação cultural para o contexto brasileiro do primeiro questionário foi realizado em cinco etapas:

Cultural adaptation and updating of the Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers in the context of covid-19 questionnaire / Adaptación cultural y actualización del cuestionario Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers in the context of covid-19 / Adaptação cultural e atualização do questionário Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers in the context of covid-19

Objective: to translate and culturally adapt the Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers in the context of covid-19 questionnaire to the Brazilian context and to develop and evaluate a sociodemographic and occupational characterization questionnaire to compose the adapted questionnaire. Method: five stages were conducted to adapt the Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers in the context of covid-19 questionnaire, namely: translation, synthesis of the translations, evaluation by a committee of judges, back translation and pre-test. As for the complementary questionnaire, it was elaborated and evaluated by a committee of judges and a pre-test was carried out. Results: the questionnaires were validated and the pre-test stage was conducted with health workers and students. Conclusion: the final version adapted to the Brazilian context was called Questionário de avaliação de risco e gestão da exposição de trabalhadores e estudantes de saúde no contexto da covid-19 and is available for use, together with the final version of the Sociodemographic and occupational questionnaire: Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers and students in the context of covid-19. These questionnaires may assist in mitigating the risks of infection, illness and death of health workers and students due to covid-19.

Objetivo: traducir y adaptar culturalmente el cuestionario Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers in the context of covid-19 al contexto brasileño y elaborar y evaluar un cuestionario de caracterización sociodemográfica y ocupacional para formular el cuestionario adaptado. Método: se llevaron a cabo cinco pasos para adaptar el cuestionario Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers in the context of covid-19: traducción, síntesis de traducciones, evaluación por un comité de jueces, retrotraducción y pretest. En cuanto al cuestionario complementario, fue elaborado y evaluado por un comité de jueces y se realizó una prueba previa. Resultados: se validaron los cuestionarios y se realizó la etapa de pretest con trabajadores y estudiantes del área de la salud. Conclusión: la versión final adaptada al contexto brasileño se denominó Questionário de avaliação de risco e gestão da exposição de trabalhadores e estudantes de saúde no contexto da covid-19 y está disponible para su uso, junto con la versión final del Questionário de avaliação de risco e gestão da exposição de trabalhadores e estudantes de saúde no contexto da COVID-19. Estos cuestionarios pueden ayudar a disminuir los riesgos de infección, enfermedad y muerte de los trabajadores y los estudiantes del área de la salud por covid-19.

Objetivo: traduzir e adaptar culturalmente o questionário Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers in the context of covid-19 para o contexto brasileiro e elaborar e avaliar um questionário de caracterização sociodemográfica e ocupacional para compor o questionário adaptado. Método: cinco etapas foram realizadas para adaptação do questionário Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers in the context of covid-19: tradução, síntese das traduções, avaliação por comitê de juízes, retrotradução e pré-teste. Quanto ao questionário complementar, foi construído e avaliado por um comitê de juízes e realizado pré-teste. Resultados: os questionários foram validados e a etapa de pré-teste foi realizada com trabalhadores e estudantes da área de saúde. Conclusão: a versão final adaptada para o contexto brasileiro foi denominada Questionário de avaliação de risco e gestão da exposição de trabalhadores e estudantes de saúde no contexto da covid-19 e está disponibilizada para uso, juntamente com a versão final do questionário sociodemográfico e ocupacional: avaliação de risco e gestão da exposição de trabalhadores e estudantes da área de saúde no contexto da covid-19. Estes questionários podem auxiliar na mitigação dos riscos de infecção, adoecimento e morte de trabalhadores e estudantes da área de saúde pela covid-19.

Evaluation of bottled water quality by determining nitrate concentration.

The presence of nitrate in sources of drinking water is a matter of concern because of its potential risk for human health. In many countries like Argentina, an increasing proportion of the population chooses to consume bottled water, among other reasons, for lack of water access. The present study was conducted (a) to evaluate the quality of bottled waters by determining nitrate concentration, (b) to relate bottled water quality with water access, (c) to analyze public awareness about bottled water quality and consumption habits of the population in the urban area of Buenos Aires. Two locations were selected, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (C.A.B.A.) and Malvinas Argentinas in Buenos Aires Province (PBA), with percentages of water access of 99.6% and 8.8%, respectively. Random samples from both locations (n = 100) were analyzed. A survey was conducted in order to inquire about perception of population on bottled water quality and their consumption habits. In C.A.B.A., no sample exceeded the 45 mg/L limit value in force in Argentina, while in Malvinas Argentinas, 34% of the brands analyzed showed values above it. The survey revealed that 71.7% of people consume bottled water. While people in C.A.B.A. do so mainly out of habit, safety is the priority in PBA.

Biotransformation of chromium (VI) in liquid effluents by resistant bacteria isolated from the Matanza-Riachuelo basin, in Argentina.

The aims of this investigation were to evaluate the bacterial resistance to zinc, copper, chromium (VI) and lead in surface water streams from Buenos Aires, Argentina; to select a chromium-resistant strain able to remove the metal in batch process and to evaluate the potential of this strain to remove chromium (VI) in liquid effluents. Bacterial resistance to the metals was evaluated by determining the minimal inhibitory concentration. The kinetic of chromium (VI) removal by one of the resistant strains was studied in nutrient broth with 50 and 100 mg L-1 of the metal, as well as an effluent from an electroplating industry. High resistance to all the metals under study was observed in the bacterial communities of the Matanza-Riachuelo basin. A chromium-resistant strain was isolated and identified as Microbacterium sp. It was able to remove 50 and 100 mg L-1 of Cr (VI) in 36 and 66 h respectively, with efficiency higher than 99%. Experiments with liquid effluents showed the ability of the strain to transform 150 mg L-1 of the metal in 84 h, with efficiency higher than 99%. These results show the potential of this native strain for the treatment of liquid effluents that contain chromium (VI).

Aerobic degradation of ibuprofen in batch and continuous reactors by an indigenous bacterial community.

Water from six points from the Riachuelo-Matanza basin was analyzed in order to assess ibuprofen biodegradability. In four of them biodegradation of ibuprofen was proved and degrading bacterial communities were isolated. Biodegradation in each point could not be correlated with sewage pollution. The indigenous bacterial community isolated from the point localized in the La Noria Bridge showed the highest degradative capacity and was selected to perform batch and continuous degradation assays. The partial 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that the community consisted of Comamonas aquatica and Bacillus sp. In batch assays the community was capable of degrading 100 mg L(-1) of ibuprofen in 33 h, with a specific growth rate (µ) of 0.21 h(-1). The removal of the compound, as determined by High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), exceeded 99% of the initial concentration, with a 92.3% removal of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). In a down-flow fixed-bed continuous reactor, the community shows a removal efficiency of 95.9% of ibuprofen and 92.3% of COD for an average inlet concentration of 110.4 mg. The reactor was kept in operation for 70 days. The maximal removal rate for the compound was 17.4 g m(-3) d(-1). Scanning electron microscopy was employed to observe biofilm development in the reactor. The ability of the isolated indigenous community can be exploited to improve the treatment of wastewaters containing ibuprofen.

Selection and identification of a bacterial community able to degrade and detoxify m-nitrophenol in continuous biofilm reactors.

Nitroaromatics are widely used for industrial purposes and constitute a group of compounds of environmental concern because of their persistence and toxic properties. Biological processes used for decontamination of nitroaromatic-polluted sources have then attracted worldwide attention. In the present investigation m-nitrophenol (MNP) biodegradation was studied in batch and continuous reactors. A bacterial community able to degrade the compound was first selected from a polluted freshwater stream and the isolates were identified by the analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence. The bacterial community was then used in biodegradation assays. Batch experiments were conducted in a 2L aerobic microfermentor at 28 °C and with agitation (200 rpm). The influence of abiotic factors in the biodegradation process in batch reactors, such as initial concentration of the compound and initial pH of the medium, was also studied. Continuous degradation of MNP was performed in an aerobic up-flow fixed-bed biofilm reactor. The biodegradation process was evaluated by determining MNP and ammonium concentrations and chemical oxygen demand (COD). Detoxification was assessed by Vibrio fischeri and Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata toxicity tests. Under batch conditions the bacterial community was able to degrade 0.72 mM of MNP in 32 h, with efficiencies higher than 99.9% and 89.0% of MNP and COD removals respectively and with concomitant release of ammonium. When the initial MNP concentration increased to 1.08 and 1.44 mM MNP the biodegradation process was accomplished in 40 and 44 h, respectively. No biodegradation of the compound was observed at higher concentrations. The community was also able to degrade 0.72 mM of the compound at pH 5, 7 and 9. In the continuous process biodegradation efficiency reached 99.5% and 96.8% of MNP and COD removal respectively. The maximum MNP removal rate was 37.9 gm(-3) day(-1). Toxicity was not detected after the biodegradation process.

O Programa Mais Médicos e as redes de atenção à saúde no Brasil / Mais Médicos Program and Health Care Networks in Brazil

Este artigo procura discutir a colaboração entre a Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde e o Programa Mais Médicos (PMM), debruçando-se sobre os mandatos dos Estados- Membros da Organização para a cooperação técnica no desenvolvimento dos sistemas e serviços de saúde e a Cooperação Sul-Sul, ao mesmo tempo que o vincula aos elementos conceituais e da política nacional de desenvolvimento do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) do Brasil. Apresenta, ainda, a relevância do PMM na medida em que incrementou o número de médicos atuantes no SUS, especificamente na Atenção Básica, nos municípios mais vulneráveis e seu impacto na garantia do direito à saúde da população com a melhora da atenção primária e das redes integradas de serviços de saúde.

This paper aims on discussing the collaboration between the Pan-American Health Organization and Mais Médicos Program (PMM), analyzing the State-Members’ terms of office in the Organization for technical cooperation on the development of Health care systems and services and the South-South Cooperation, at the same time it links it to the conceptual elementsand to Brazilian national Unified Health System (SUS) development policy. It also presents PMM’s relevance, as it increased the number of active doctors on SUS, particularly on primarycare, in the most vulnerable cities and its impact on guaranteeing population’s right to health with improvement of primary care and integrated health services networks.

A new Italian FHM2 family: clinical aspects and functional analysis of the disease-associated mutation.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a new FHM kindred, and to analyse the functional consequences of the disease-associated ATP1A2 p.G301R mutation in human cellular models grown at 37°C. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seven patients were clinically evaluated and gave informed consent for molecular analysis. Extra-pyramidal rigidity of the limbs was present in four subjects and in three of them tongue apraxia was also observed. ATP1A2 and CACNA1A were analysed by direct sequencing. Functional consequences of the mutation were investigated by cell viability assays, Western blots, and immunocytochemistry. Three-dimensional models of the human Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase α2 subunit were generated by homology modelling using SWISS-MODEL. FINDINGS: Analysis of ATP1A2 showed a heterozygous mutation, c.901G>A predicting the replacement of arginine for glycine at residue 301 (p.G301R). Functional analysis suggested that the mutation completely abolished Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase function. CONCLUSIONS: The phenotypic spectrum of our FHM2 family includes some peculiar features. Functional data confirm that Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase haploinsufficiency caused by the ATP1A2 p.G301R mutation is responsible for FHM in the described family.