Biomarcadores enzimáticos e histológicos em brânquias de Ucides cordatus (Linnaeus, 1763) (Crustacea, Brachyura, Ucididae) indicativos de impactos ambientais em uma região portuária do nordeste do Brasil / [Enzymatic and histological biomarkers in Ucides cordatus (Linnaeus, 1763) (Crustacea, Brachyura, Ucididae) gills indicative of environmental impacts in a port region of northeastern Brazil]

Objetivou-se neste estudo analisar biomarcadores histológicos e bioquímicos em brânquias de U. cordatus indicativos de impactos na Baía de São Marcos. Caranguejos foram coletados em quatro áreas na Baía de São Marcos: A1= Ilha dos Caranguejos (com baixo impacto); A2= Coqueiro, A3= Porto Grande, A4= Cajueiro (áreas potencialmente impactadas). Mediram-se os dados biométricos de cada exemplar de caranguejo. Amostras de brânquias foram submetidas à técnica histológica padrão e homogeneizadas em tampão fosfato, e o sobrenadante foi utilizado para análise das enzimas glutationa-S-transferase (GST) e catalase (CAT). A biometria indicou que os caranguejos de A1 são significativamente (P<0,05) maiores e mais pesados do que os caranguejos das áreas A2, A3 e A4. As alterações branquiais (rompimento das células pilastras, deformação do canal marginal, deslocamento da cutícula e necrose) foram significativamente (P˂0,05) mais frequentes em caranguejos de A2, A3 e A4 do que nos caranguejos de A1. As atividades enzimáticas da GST e CAT nos caranguejos apresentaram diferença significativa (P<0,05) entre as áreas de coletas, com padrão similar ao observado para as alterações branquiais. Os biomarcadores analisados mostraram que os caranguejos estão sob diferentes níveis de impactos (A4>A3>A2>A1) ao longo da Baía de São Marcos.(AU)

The objective of this study was to analyze histological and biochemical biomarkers in U. cordatus gills indicative of impacts in São Marcos Bay. Crabs were collected from four areas in São Marcos Bay: A1=Ilha dos Caranguejos (with low impact); A2=Coqueiro, A3=Porto Grande, A4=Cajueiro (potentially impacted areas). The biometric data of each specimen was measured. Gill samples were submitted to standard histological technique and homogenized in phosphate buffer, and the supernatant was used for analysis of glutathione S-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT) enzyme activity. Biometric data indicated that crabs found in A1 are significantly (P<0.05) larger and heavier than crabs found in A2, A3 and A4 areas. Gill alterations (rupture of pilaster cells, Dilation of the marginal channel, Cuticle Rupture and necrosis) were significantly (P˂0.05) more frequent in the crabs in A2, A3 and A4 than crabs in A1. The enzymatic activities of GST and CAT showed significant difference (P<0.05) between the sampling areas, similar to that observed for gill alterations. The biomarkers analyzed showed that the crabs are under different impact levels (A4> A3> A2> A1) along the São Marcos Bay.(AU)

Validation of maternal recall on exclusive breastfeeding 12 months after childbirth.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the validity of maternal recall of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) at 3 months obtained 12 months after childbirth. DESIGN: A population-based birth cohort study. The gold standard is maternal report of EBF at the age of 3 months (yes or no) and age of introduction of other foods in the infant's diet. EBF was considered when the mother reported that no liquid, semi-solid or solid food was introduced up to that moment. The variable to be validated was obtained at 12 months after childbirth when the mother was asked about the age of food introduction. The prevalence of EBF at 3 months, and sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV), and accuracy of 12-month recall with 95 % CI were calculated. SETTING: Pelotas, Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: 3700 mothers of participants of the Pelotas 2004 Birth Cohort. RESULTS: The prevalence of EBF at 3 months was 27·8 % (95 % CI 26·4, 29·3) and 49·0 % (95 % CI 47·4, 50·6) according to gold standard and maternal recall, respectively. The sensitivity of maternal recall at 12 months was 98·3 % (95 % CI 97·4, 99·0), specificity 70·0 % (95 % CI 68·2, 71·7), PPV 55·8 % (95 % CI 53·4, 58·1), NPV 99·1 % (95 % CI 98·6, 99·5) and accuracy 77·9 % (95 % CI 76·6, 79·2). When the analyses were stratified by maternal and infant characteristics, the sensitivity remained around 98 %, and the specificity ranged from 64·4 to 81·8 %. CONCLUSIONS: EBF recalled at the end of the first year of infant's life is a valid measure to be used in epidemiological investigations.

G1P[8] Rotavirus in children with severe diarrhea in the post-vaccine introduction era in Brazil: Evidence of reassortments and structural modifications of the antigenic VP7 and VP4 regions.

Worldwide rotaviruses A (RVA) are responsible for approximately 215,000 deaths annually among children aged <5 years. RVA G1P[8] remains associated with >50% of gastroenteritis cases in this age group. The aim of this study was to assess the genetic variability of G1P[8] strains detected in children with severe diarrhea in Belém, Pará, Brazil, during the post-rotavirus vaccine introduction era. Phylogenetic analysis clustered the VP4 and VP7 genes of 40 samples selected between 2009 and 2011 into lineages found to be different from the Rotarix® vaccine strain. A detailed investigation of their complete genotype constellations identified 2 reassortant viruses (5%), resulting from reassortments between the genogroups Wa-like and DS-1-like (G1-P[8]-I1-R2-C1-M1-A1-N1-T2-E1-H1) and Wa-like and AU-1-like (G1-P[8]-I1-R3-C1-M1-A1-N1-T1-E1-H1) genotype constellations. A comparison of the amino acid residues presents in the antigenic epitopes of VP7 and VP4, showed differences in the electrostatic charges distribution, between wild type Brazilian strains and the Rotarix® and RotaTeq® vaccine strains. These findings reflect the structural analyses of the antigenic regions of VP7 and VP4 of the RVA G1P[8] in children with gastroenteritis in Northern Brazil raising the hypothesis that structural modifications at these sites over time may account for the emergence of new strains that could possibly pose a challenge to current vaccines.

Impact of surgical wound dehiscence on health-related quality of life and mental health.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of surgical wound dehiscence on health-related quality of life and mental health. Dehiscence of surgical wounds is a serious postoperative complication associated with high morbidity and mortality. METHOD: Sixty-one adult patients, who had undergone neurological, general, colorectal, orthopaedic, gynaecological, plastic, cardiovascular, urological or neurological surgery in a university hospital in Brazil, were assessed between 30 and 180 days after surgery. Twenty participants who achieved complete wound healing were allocated to the control group and 41 participants who developed surgical wound dehiscence were allocated to the dehiscence group. Patients unable to complete the questionnaires because of cognitive impairment and those who declined to participate or died were excluded from the study. Data were collected using a questionnaire assessing sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of participants; the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36); and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). RESULTS: Surgical wound dehiscences were 0.5-30 cm in length, 0.5-7 cm in depth, and located in the arms, legs or trunk. There were significant between-group differences in mean scores on the physical functioning (p<0.01), role physical (p<0.01), social functioning (p=0.01), and bodily pain (p=0.01) dimensions of the SF-36. Participants with wound dehiscence reported significantly higher BDI scores (more depressive symptoms) than controls (p=0.01). CONCLUSION: Surgical wound dehiscence had a negative impact on the physical functioning, role physical, social functioning, and bodily pain dimensions of health-related quality of life and on mental health. DECLARATION OF INTEREST: No conflict of interest to declare.

IDENTIFICATION OF CANINE VISCERAL LEISHMANIASIS IN A PREVIOUSLY UNAFFECTED AREA BY CONVENTIONAL DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES AND CELL-BLOCK FIXATION.

After the report of a second case of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) in São Bento da Lagoa, Itaipuaçu, in the municipality of Maricá, Rio de Janeiro State, an epidemiological survey was carried out, through active search, totaling 145 dogs. Indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and rapid chromatographic immunoassay based on dual-path platform (DPP) were used to perform the serological examinations. The parasitological diagnosis of cutaneous fragments was performed by parasitological culture, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry. In the serological assessment, 21 dogs were seropositive by IFA, 17 by ELISA, and 11 by DPP, with sensitivity of 66.7%, 66.7% and 50%, and specificity of 87.2%, 90.2% and 94%, respectively for each technique. The immunohistochemistry of bone marrow using the cell-block technique presented the best results, with six positive dogs found, three of which tested negative by the other parasitological techniques. Leishmania sp. was isolated by parasitological culture in three dogs. The detection of autochthonous Leishmania infantum in Itaipuaçu, and the high prevalence of seropositive dogs confirm the circulation of this parasite in the study area and alert for the risk of expansion in the State of Rio de Janeiro.

IDENTIFICATION OF CANINE VISCERAL LEISHMANIASIS IN A PREVIOUSLY UNAFFECTED AREA BY CONVENTIONAL DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES AND CELL-BLOCK FIXATION

After the report of a second case of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) in São Bento da Lagoa, Itaipuaçu, in the municipality of Maricá, Rio de Janeiro State, an epidemiological survey was carried out, through active search, totaling 145 dogs. Indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and rapid chromatographic immunoassay based on dual-path platform (DPP(r)) were used to perform the serological examinations. The parasitological diagnosis of cutaneous fragments was performed by parasitological culture, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry. In the serological assessment, 21 dogs were seropositive by IFA, 17 by ELISA, and 11 by DPP(r), with sensitivity of 66.7%, 66.7% and 50%, and specificity of 87.2%, 90.2% and 94%, respectively for each technique. The immunohistochemistry of bone marrow using the cell-block technique presented the best results, with six positive dogs found, three of which tested negative by the other parasitological techniques. Leishmania sp. was isolated by parasitological culture in three dogs. The detection of autochthonous Leishmania infantum in Itaipuaçu, and the high prevalence of seropositive dogs confirm the circulation of this parasite in the study area and alert for the risk of expansion in the State of Rio de Janeiro.

Caracterização bioquímica e molecular de Cryptococcus spp. isolados de excretas ambientais de pombos (Columba livia domestica) / Biochemical and molecular characterization of Cryptococcus spp. isolates from environmental feces of pigeons (Columba livia domestic)

Os pombos possuem uma rica diversidade de microrganismo, entre eles fungos sapróbios, como do gênero Cryptococcus, que podem atuar como agentes patogênicos para o homem e animais. Objetivou-se o isolamento, a caracterização bioquímica e a molecular de amostras de Cryptococcus spp. de excretas ambientas de pombos. Foram colhidas 100 amostras ambientais de pontos equidistantes e representativos da área da cidade de Araçatuba, São Paulo. As amostras foram rasteladas do solo de vias públicas, armazenadas em frasco coletor e encaminhadas para o Laboratório de Bacteriologia e Micologia da FMVA, onde foram processadas e cultivadas em duplicata, em placas de Petri contendo ágar Sabouraud dextrose a 4% e Niger. Em seguida, foram incubadas à temperatura ambiente e a 30ºC, respectivamente, por um período não inferior a 15 dias. Após a observação diária, as colônias sugestivas para levedura foram reisoladas em ágar Niger e submetidas a testes bioquímicos para posterior caracterização molecular pela técnica da PCR. Como resultado, a caracterização bioquímica e a molecular isolaram 32 colônias leveduriformes, sendo 8% dos cultivos positivos para Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans, 17% para Rhodotorula rubidae e 7% Candida albicans. Pelo exposto, concluiu-se que excretas ambientais de pombos constituem um microfoco para Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans e outras leveduras com potencial patogênico, representando um risco à saúde pública, sendo necessárias medidas preventivas, como a higienização com a correta remoção das excretas, a fim de minimizar os riscos de exposição ambiental.

Pigeons have a rich diversity of microrganisms, including fungi saprobes such as the genus Cryptococcus that can act as a pathogen for humans and animals. The aim of this was their isolation, biochemical and molecular characterization of samples of Cryptococcus from ambientas avian excreta. One hundred environmental samples,representative of the area equidistant from Araçatuba, São Paulo points were collected. The samples were removed and stored in collection bottles, sent to the Laboratory of Bacteriology and Mycology of FMVA, where they were processed and cultivated in duplicate on Petri dishes containing Sabouraud dextrose 4% and Niger and incubated at room temperature 30° C, respectively, for a period of no less than 15 days. Colonies after daily observation which were suggestive for yeast growth were re-isolated in Niger agar and subjected to biochemical analisis for further molecular characterization by PCR tests. As results, the biochemical and molecular characterization of 32 yeast colonies revealed 8% of cultures positive for Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans, 17% Rhodotorula rubidae and 7% Candida albicans. It was concluded that environmental avian excreta are active sites for replication of Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans and other yeasts with pathogenic potential. These constitute a public health risk, and preventive measures are necessary, such as cleaning and complete removal of excreta in order to minimize the risk of environmental exposure.

Citrus pulp as a dietary source of antioxidants for lactating holstein cows fed highly polyunsaturated Fatty Acid diets.

The effects of feeding pelleted citrus pulp (PCP) as a natural antioxidant source on the performance and milk quality of dairy cows fed highly polyunsaturated fatty acid (FA) diets were evaluated. Four lactating Holstein cows were assigned to a 4×4 Latin-square. Treatments, on a dry matter (DM) basis, were i) control diet; ii) 3% soybean oil; iii) 3% soybean oil and 9% PCP and; iv) 3% soybean oil and 18% PCP. When cows fed on citrus pulp, the DM intake tended to decrease. The total tract apparent digestibility of DM and ether extract decreased when cows fed on the control diet compared to other diets. Cows fed PCP had higher polyphenols and flavonoids content and higher total ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) in milk compared to those fed no pelleted citrus pulp. Cows fed 18% PCP showed higher monounsaturated FA and lower saturated FA in milk fat compared with cows fed the other diets. The lowest n-6 FA proportion was in milk fat from cows fed control. The present study suggests that pelleted citrus pulp added to 9% to 18% DM increases total polyphenols and flavonoids concentration, and the FRAP in milk.

Status of cis and trans fatty acids in Brazilian adolescent mothers and their newborns.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The objective was to quantify cis and trans fatty acids in maternal plasma and infant cord plasma from adolescent mothers. DESIGN: From 80 adolescent healthy mothers, we sampled postpartum maternal blood and umbilical cord blood at birth. Trans fatty acids (tFAs), linoleic (18:2), and arachidonic (AA, 20:4) acids of the n-6 family, and α-linolenic (18:3), eicosapentaenoic (20:5) and docosahexaenoic (22:6) acids of the n-3 family were analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography. Results were expressed as a percentage of total fatty acids. RESULTS: Linoleic fatty acid was present in greater proportions in the maternal plasma than in that of the umbilical cord, whereas AA was present in greater proportions in the total lipids of umbilical cord blood. Docosahexaenoic acid was the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid of the n-3 family that was predominant in both maternal and umbilical cord plasma. The tFAs in the maternal plasma had a negative correlation with oleic acid and linoleic acid. Linolenic acid had a positive correlation with cephalic perimeter upon birth. A tendency for a negative correlation between trans isomers and gestational age at birth (P = .05) was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are important to fetal growth and development, were found in greater quantities in the cord blood of newborns of adolescents than in the maternal blood, indicating a priority of transfer of AA and docosahexaenoic fatty acids to the fetus. Despite the lower levels of tFAs found in maternal blood, we verified potential risk for premature birth.

Adesão ao tratamento medicamentoso pelos portadores de Diabetes Mellitus atendidos em uma Unidade Básica de Saúde no município de Ijuí/RS: um estudo exploratório / Adherence to medical treatment in patients with diabetes mellitus attended at a Public Health Unit in the city of Ijuí (RS, Brazil): an exploratory study

Atualmente, é indiscutível a contribuição dos diferentes tratamentos farmacológicos prescritos em associação às medidas não farmacológicas, visando o manejo ou a cura de doenças e melhorando a qualidade de vida de portadores de problemas crônicos, além de diminuir gastos com saúde. O presente estudo teve por objetivo verificar a adesão da terapia medicamentosa em diabéticos atendidos na Unidade Básica de Saúde (UBS), localizada no bairro Modelo do município de Ijuí-RS. A coleta de dados foi realizada entre agosto e outubro de 2009 e a pesquisa foi aprovada pelo Comitê de Ética e Pesquisa (CEP) da UNIJUÍ. Tendo em vista características dos voluntários da pesquisa e fatores que podem influenciar no uso correto dos medicamentos, verificou-se elevada adesão ao tratamento medicamentoso, o que provavelmente está relacionado ao trabalho desenvolvido pela equipe da UBS. Foi possível perceber também que os encontros mensais e o acompanhamento dos profissionais de saúde foram úteis na redução de erros e/ou descuidos com os medicamentos, reduzindo os efeitos indesejáveis e a evolução da doença.

Nowadays, there is no doubt that various medicine-based treatments, prescribed in association with non-pharmacological measures, with the aim of managing or curing diseases, improve the quality of life of patients with chronic conditions and can even reduce medical costs. The present study was carried out to determine the adherence of patients with diabetes to drug therapy prescribed at a Public Health Unit located in the Modelo district of the city of Ijuí (RS, Brazil). Data collection was conducted from August to October 2009, the study having been approved by the Ethics and Research Committee of UNIJUÍ. Considering the characteristics of the research volunteers and factors that could influence the correct use of medicine or interfere with adherence, there was a high rate of compliance to medical treatment, which is probably related to the teamwork practiced at the Health Unit. It was also noticeable that the monthly meetings and monitoring of health professionals helped to reduce errors and/or oversights in the medication, reducing side effects and slowing the progression of the disease.

Effect of residence times on River Mondego estuary eutrophication vulnerability.

The south arm of the Mondego estuary, located in the central western Atlantic coast of Portugal, is almost silted up in the upstream area. So, the water circulation is mostly driven by tides and the tributary river Pranto discharges. Eutrophication has been taking place in this ecosystem during last twelve years, where macroalgae reach a luxuriant development covering a significant area of the intertidal muddy flat. A sampling program was carried out from June 1993 to June 1994. Available data on salinity profiles and on nutrients loading into the south arm were used in order to get a better understanding of the ongoing changes. River Pranto flow discharges, controlled by a sluice, were also monitored. Integral formulations are typically based on assumptions of steady state and well-mixed systems and thus cannot take into account the space and time variability of estuarine residence times, due to river discharge flow, tidal coefficients, discharge(s) location and time of release during the tidal cycle. This work presents the hydrodynamics modelling (2D-H) of this system in order to estimate the residence times variability and to assess their effect on the estuarine eutrophication vulnerability, contributing to better environmental management strategies selection.