Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in seawater after the mysterious oil spill of 2019 on the Pernambuco coast, northeast Brazil.

In 2019, one of Brazil's most significant environmental disasters occurred, involving an oil spill that directly affected Pernambuco state. Contamination along the coast was evaluated by the quantification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in fifty seawater samples collected in the summer and winter of 2021. Analysis using fluorescence spectroscopy revealed that for all the samples, levels of dissolved/dispersed petroleum hydrocarbons (DDPHs) were higher than the regional baseline for tropical western shores of the Atlantic Ocean. GC-MS analyses quantified 17 PAHs in the samples, with highest total PAHs concentrations of 234 ng L-1 in summer and 33.3 ng L-1 in winter, which were consistent with the highest risks observed in ecotoxicity assays. The use of diagnostic ratios showed that the coast was impacted by a mixture of PAHs from petrogenic and pyrolytic sources. The results indicated the need for continuous monitoring of the regions affected by the 2019 spill.

Salicylic Acid and Water Stress: Effects on Morphophysiology and Essential Oil Profile of Eryngium foetidum.

The exogenous application of bioregulators, such as salicylic acid (SA), has exhibited promising outcomes in alleviating drought stress. Nevertheless, its impact on culantro (Eryngium foetidum L.) remains unexplored. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess how SA impacts the growth, morphophysiology, and essential oil composition of culantro when subjected to drought. To achieve this, culantro plants were grown under three different watering regimes: well-watered, drought-stressed, and re-watered. Additionally, they were either treated with SA (100 µM) or left untreated, with water serving as the control. SA application did not mitigate the effects of drought in biomass production but increased biomass, leaf number, leaf area, and photosynthetic pigments under well-irrigated and re-watered conditions. After a drought period followed by re-watering, plants recovered membrane integrity independently of SA application. Water stress and the exogenous application of SA also modulated the profile of essential oils. This is the first report about SA and drought affecting growth and essential oil composition in culantro.

Water stress and exogenous carnitine on growth and essential oil profile of Eryngium foetidum L.

Water stress influences plant growth and metabolism. Carnitine, an amino acid involved in lipid metabolism, has been related to responses of plants to abiotic stresses, also modulating their metabolites. Culantro (Eryngium foetidum L.) is a perennial herb, rich in essential oils, native to Latin America, commonly used due to its culinary and medicinal properties. Here, we investigated the effect of exogenous carnitine on morphophysiology and the essential oil profile of culantro plants under water stress. For this, plants were grown under three water conditions: well-watered, drought stress, and re-watered; and sprayed with exogenous carnitine (100 µM) or water (control). Culantro growth was impaired by drought and enhanced by re-watering. Carnitine, in turn, did not reverse drought effects on growth, and impaired the growth of re-watered plants, also improving photosynthetic pigment content. Water conditions and carnitine application changed the essential oil profile of the plants. Drought and re-watering improved the production of eryngial, which was even increased with exogenous carnitine in re-watered plants. In addition, hydroquinone was only produced with the combination of re-watering and carnitine application. The application of exogenous carnitine can be a strategy to induce the production of essential oil compounds with cosmetic and pharmaceutical importance in culantro. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-023-03757-y.

Trends and challenges in analytical chemistry for multi-analysis of illicit drugs employing wastewater-based epidemiology.

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) for quantification of illicit drug biomarkers (IDBs) in wastewater samples is an effective tool that can provide information about drug consumption. The most commonly quantified IDBs belong to different chemical classes, including cocaine, amphetamine-type stimulants, opioids, and cannabinoids, so the different chemical properties of these molecules pose a challenge in the development of analytical methods for multi-analyte analysis. Recent workflows include the steps of sampling and storage, sample preparation using solid-phase extraction (SPE) or without extraction, and quantification of analytes employing gas or liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The greatest difficulty is due to the fact that wastewater samples are complex chemical mixtures containing analytes with different chemical properties, often present at low concentrations. Therefore, in the development of analytical methods, there is the need to simplify and optimize the analytical workflows, reducing associated uncertainties, analysis times, and costs. The present work provides a critical bibliographic survey of studies published from the year 2020 until now, highlighting the challenges and trends of published analytical workflows for the multi-analysis of IDBs in wastewater samples, considering sampling and sample preparation, method validation, and analytical techniques.

Effectiveness of the polyphenols-rich Sedum dendroideum infusion on gastric ulcer healing in rats: Roles of protective endogenous factors and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Peptic ulcer is an inflammatory disease that therapeutic options are mainly focused in antisecretory drugs. Sedum dendroideum Moc & Sessé ex DC (Crassulaceae) is employed in folk medicine for the treatment of gastric ulcers. Recently, our group demonstrated that Sedum dendroideum infusion (SDI) is rich in polyphenols (flavonol glycosides, myricetin, quercetin and kaempferol) and promoted gastroprotection against acute ulcer models, without changes gastric acid secretion. AIM OF THE STUDY: Here, we follow the investigation of the healing effects of SDI (ED50 = 191 mg/kg) in the chronic gastric ulcer model induced by 80% acetic acid in rats, elucidating underlying mechanisms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Rats were orally treated with vehicle (water, 1 mL/kg), SDI (191 mg/kg), omeprazole (40 mg/kg) or sucralfate (100 mg/kg) twice daily for 5 days after ulcer induction. Following treatments, toxicological effects, macroscopic ulcer appearance, microscopic histological (HE, mucin PAS-staining) and immunohistochemical (PCNA and HSP70) analysis, inflammatory (MPO and NAG activity, cytokine levels measurements) and antioxidant (SOD and CAT) parameters were investigated in gastric ulcer tissues. RESULTS: Oral treatment with SDI accelerated gastric ulcer healing, maintained mucin content and promoted epithelial cell proliferation. SDI also reduced neutrophil and mononuclear leukocyte infiltration, TNF-α and IL-1ß levels and the oxidative stress, restoring SOD and CAT activities in the ulcer tissue. CONCLUSIONS: The gastric healing effect of SDI was mediated through endogenous protective events as well as due to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. Our observations support and reinforce the traditional utilize of Sedum dendroideum as a natural nontoxic therapeutic alternative for the treatment of gastric ulcers.

Effects of low level laser therapy in cancer cells-a systematic review of the literature.

The aim of the present study was to conduct a systematic review regarding the use of photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy in tumoral cells, addressing the different types of lasers and parameters used. An electronic search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases. The inclusion criteria were being an in vitro study, with tumoral cells, and have at least one group of treatment with low-power laser and a control group (without treatment). Were excluded studies that used only non-carcinogenic cells, in vivo studies, studies that used high-power laser or the association with photosensitizers. The primary outcome evaluated was the cellular viability, and the secondary outcomes were the apoptosis rate and gene and inflammatory mediators' expression. Nineteen studies were identified among the lists of citations of studies that met the exclusion/inclusion criteria. There is a wide divergence regarding the wavelengths and doses used, as well as the type of laser, and each variation leads to different results, with some studies showing an increase in cell proliferation, while other studies showed a decrease. It is possible to suggest that PBM can be used in cancerous lesions in order to decrease the proliferation of these cells depending on the parameters used; however, the lack of standardization of laser irradiation protocols for in vitro investigations does not allow the establishment of ideal parameters for this purpose. Therefore, PBM should be used with caution in cancer patients until more studies are performed.

Satisfação de idosos octogenários com os serviços de Atenção Primária à Saúde / Satisfaction of octogenarians with Primary Health Care services

OBJETIVO: Analisar a satisfação de idosos octogenários com os serviços de Atenção Primária à Saúde. MÉTODO: Estudo descritivo, com abordagem quantitativa, realizado com 30 idosos usuários da Estratégia Saúde da Família, selecionados por amostra não probabilística. Os dados foram coletados em domicílio, através dos seguintes questionários: Mini-exame do estado mental, questionário sociodemográfico, condições de saúde e acesso aos serviços e questionário de Satisfação com os Cuidados Primários de Saúde. Os dados foram analisados por meio de estatística descritiva. RESULTADO: A análise da satisfação evidenciou que os idosos octogenários estão satisfeitos quanto à atenção ( X´=6,0;±1,5X´=6,0;±1,5 ) e ao interesse que os agentes comunitários dispendem a eles ( X´=5,9;±1,6X´=5,9;±1,6 ) e a disponibilidade do Enfermeiro para lhes tratar ( X´=5,9;±1,1X´=5,9;±1,1 ). Os aspectos relacionados ao tempo de espera pelo atendimento dos Enfermeiros ( X´=4,6;±1,6X´=4,6;±1,6 ) e Médicos ( X´=4,9;±1,6X´=4,9;±1,6 ), instalações para deficientes ( X´=4,6;±1,4X´=4,6;±1,4 ) e percepção de que a unidade está próxima de uma unidade de saúde perfeita ( X´=4,6;±1,8X´=4,6;±1,8 ). CONCLUSÃO: os achados evidenciaram boa avaliação dos serviços e refletem a importância de se considerar a perspectiva dos usuários octogenários no planejamento das ações em saúde, já que a avaliação da qualidade desses serviços é capaz de instituir mudanças e direcionar as ações de forma a fazer sentido às realidades de vida dos usuários com maiores chances de efetividade, em especial direcionadas a população idosa octogenária.

METHOD: a descriptive study, with a quantitative approach, was carried out with 30 older users of the Family Health Strategy, selected by a non-probabilistic sample. Data were collected at home, using the following questionnaires: the mini-mental state exam, a questionnaire on sociodemographic factors, health conditions and access to services, and a questionnaire on satisfaction with Primary Health Care. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULT: The satisfaction analysis showed that the elderly octogenarians are satisfied in terms of care ( X´=6,0;±1,5X´=6,0;±1,5 ) and the interest that community agents demonstrate in them ( X´=5,9;±1,6X´=5,9;±1,6 ) and the availability of nurses for their treatment ( X´=5,9;±1,1X´=5,9;±1,1 ). Aspects related to the waiting time for nurses ( X´=4,6;±1,6X´=4,6;±1,6 ) and doctors ( X´=4,9;±1,6X´=4,9;±1,6 ), facilities for the disabled ( X´=4,6;±1,4X´=4,6;±1,4 ) and the perception that the unit is close to a perfect health unit ( X´=4,6;±1,8X´=4,6;±1,8 ). CONCLUSION: The services were positively evaluated, reflecting the importance of considering the perspective of octogenarian users in the planning of healthcare actions, since the evaluation of the quality of these services can lead to changes and guide actions in a way that is coherent with the lives of users, increasing their effectiveness, especially regarding actions aimed at the octogenarian population.

Chemical composition, antioxidant and gastrointestinal properties of Sedum dendroideum Moc & Sessé ex DC leaves tea infusion.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Sedum dendroideum Moc & Sessé ex DC (Crassulaceae) is a medicinal plant employed in Mexican and Brasilian folk medicine as juice or infusion, as remedy for the treatment of different diseases, including gastric disorders. AIM OF THE STUDY: Although some studies carried out with Sedum dendroideum have demonstrated its gastroprotective effect, the purpose of this study was to elucidate the chemical constituents, antioxidant, cytotoxic and mechanisms underlying the gastrointestinal properties of Sedum dendroideum accordingly its traditional use, as fresh leaves tea infusion (SDI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chemical constituents were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). Antioxidant and cytotoxicity were evaluated in in vitro assays. The efficacy of the SDI on macroscopic ulcer appearance, mucus and GSH maintenance on ethanol- and indomethacin-induced ulcer models, gastric acid secretion and gastrointestinal motility were investigated. RESULTS: Phytochemical analysis by HPLC-MS revealed the presence of different flavonol glycosides, containing myricetin and quercetin, along with the kaempferol as aglycones. In vitro pharmacological investigation of SDI demonstrated potent antioxidant activity in DPPH assay (IC50: 13.25 ±â€¯3.37 µg/mL) and absence of cytotoxicity in Caco-2 cells by MTT method. Oral administration of SDI (ED50 of 191.00 ±â€¯0.08 mg/kg) in rats promoted gastroprotection against ethanol or indomethacin in rats through reinforcement of gastric wall mucus, GSH content and nitric oxide release, without present antisecretory properties. The gastroprotective effect was maintained when SDI (19 mg/kg) was administrated by intraperitoneal route. Furthermore, SDI (150 mg/kg) unchanged the gastric emptying but increase small bowel transit in mice through cholinergic pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, this study confirmed that Sedum dendroideum promotes gastroprotection through preventing of endogenous defense mechanisms, represented by mucus and GSH without changes gastric acid secretion. Sedum dendroideum tea infusion features a chemical profile that contributes to the antioxidant and gastric health-promoting effects, supporting the use in folk medicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.

Gastroprotective activity of a pectic polysaccharide fraction obtained from infusion of Sedum dendroideum leaves.

BACKGROUND: Sedum dendroideum, popularly known in Brazil as balsam, is traditionally used as a wound healing agent, to treat gastritis, and several other health problems. Some studies have shown that plant polysaccharides may have gastroprotective properties. PURPOSE: Considering the popular use of S. dendroideum and the gastroprotective activity of polysaccharides, the objective of this work was to obtain, to characterize, and to evaluate the gastroprotective activity of a polysaccharide fraction from this plant. METHODS: Polysaccharides of S. dendroideum were extracted with water by infusion, fractionated by freeze-thawing process and dialyzed at a 100 kDa cut-off membrane, and characterized by monosaccharide composition and NMR analysis. The gastroprotective activity of the pectic polysaccharide fraction RSBAL was evaluated in the ethanol-induced ulcer model in rats, followed by determination of the mucus and glutathione levels in the gastric tissue. RESULTS: RSBAL was constituted by a homogalacturonan and a homogalacturonan branched by side chains of arabinans and type II arabinogalactans. It reduced ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats, preserving mucus and glutathione levels in the stomach. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that polysaccharides could be related to the pharmacological activity of S. dendroideum.