Evaluating total mercury and methylmercury biomagnification using stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen in fish from the Madeira River basin, Brazilian Amazon.

The isotopic signatures of carbon in primary consumer fish species in the Madeira River basin (Western Amazon) follow a pattern, with basal species feeding mainly on C3 (e.g., vascular plants and phytoplankton). In this study with 196 specimens of 19 fish species and six trophic guilds, significant differences were found between the two main groups of primary consumers (herbivores and detritivores) in the Madeira River basin. The mercury and δ15N data indicated that the fish specimens collected in Puruzinho and Cuniã Lakes provided greater trophic magnification factors (TMFs) for this metal than those found in the corresponding rivers. In relation to total mercury (0.09-2.07 µg g-1) and methylmercury (0.05-1.91 µg g-1) concentrations, the piscivorous/carnivorous species exceeded the values recommended by the World Health Organization, with a [MeHg:THg] ratio of about 80%. Preventive and educational practices should be adopted to reduce the possible toxic effects of Hg in the riverside population, for whom fish constitutes the main protein source. Also, biomonitoring of the fish species in the Madeira River should be conducted on an ongoing basis to detect possible alterations in mercury concentrations.

Metal concentrations and biological effects from one of the largest mining disasters in the world (Brumadinho, Minas Gerais, Brazil).

The rupture of the Brumadinho mining tailings dam in Brazil is considered one of the largest mining disasters in the world, resulting in 244 deaths and 26 missing people, in addition to the environmental consequences. The present study aims to evaluate the concentrations of multiple elements and the biological effects on water and sediments of the Paraopeba River after the Brumadinho Dam rupture. The tailings are formed by fine particulate material with large amounts of Fe, Al, Mn, Ti, rare earth metals and toxic metals. In the water, the levels of Fe, Al, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd and U were higher than those allowed by Brazilian legislation. In the sediments, Cr, Ni, Cu and Cd levels were higher than the established sediment quality guidelines (TEL-NOAA). The differences in metal concentrations in the water and sediments between the upstream and downstream sides of the dam illustrate the effect of the tailings in the Paraopeba River. Toxicological tests demonstrated that the water and sediments were toxic to different trophic levels, from algae to microcrustaceans and fish. The fish exposed to water and sediments containing mine ore also accumulated metals in muscle tissue. This evaluation emphasizes the necessity of long-term monitoring in the affected area.

Tratamento cirúrgico da epilepsia refratária: análise de 34 casos atendidos no Hospital das Clínicas da UFMG / Surgical treatment of refractory epilepsy: analysis of 34 cases from the Hospital das Clínicas, Federal University of Minas Gerais

Objetivo: Apresentar dados estatísticos referentes a uma série de casos submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico da epilepsia refratária no Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (HC-UFMG), no período entre 23/11/2007 e 7/12/2010. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo com análise de prontuários de 34 pacientes e classificação do controle de crises pós-operatório utilizando a Escala de Engel. Resultados: Dos pacientes, 70,5% apresentaram início das crises antes dos 15 anos, sendo o tipo de crise mais comum as crises parciais complexas com generalização secundária, presente em 55% dos casos. Esclerose mesial temporal foi o diagnóstico de base em 79,4% dos pacientes. Houve complicações cirúrgicas em 23,5% dos casos, sendo as mais frequentes as alterações de campo visual (8,8% dos casos). Conclusão: O controle de crises foi compatível com Engel menor ou igual a III em 64,7% dos casos. O tratamento cirúrgico revelou-se eficiente para melhorar o controle de crises em pacientes portadores de epilepsia refratária ao tratamento medicamentoso.

Objective: Presenting statistical data on a series of cases undergoing surgical treatment of epilepsy at the Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (HC-UFMG) in the period between 11/23/2007 and 12/7/2010. Methods: Retrospective analysis with charts of 34 patients and classification of seizure control postoperatively using the Engel Scale. Results: 70.5% of the patients had the onset of seizures before 15 years old and the most common type of seizure was complex partial seizure with secondary generalization, presented in 55% of cases. Mesial temporal sclerosis was the underlying diagnosis in 79.4% of patients. There were surgical complications in 23.5% of cases, the most frequent visual changes (8.8% of cases). Conclusion: Seizure control was consistent with Engel III or less in 64.7% of cases. Surgical treatment has proved effective in improving seizure control in patients with medically refractory epilepsy.

A atenção primária à saúde no município de Ouro Preto ? MG: relato baseado na experiência do internato de saúde coletiva / Primary health care in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil: a report based on the experience of collective health internship

O Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) no Brasil, criado na Constituição Federal de 1988, enuncia todos os conceitos e medidas práticas de Estado para promover, proteger e recuperar a saúde humana no território nacional. A principal porta de entrada para o SUS se constitui das Unidades de Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS), que são capazes de identificar os fatores potencialmente danosos à saúde e atuar no sentido de seu equacionamento e resolução. Adicionalmente, lhes compete cuidar das demandas clínicas, seja no nível primário da atenção, seja por encaminhamento e recebimento posterior de contrarreferência dos casosque necessitam de mais incorporação tecnológica e de avaliação por especialistas. Este artigo apresenta a experiência na APS a partir da vivência discente supervisionada durante o Internato de Saúde Coletiva (?Internato Rural?) realizado ao longo do quarto trimestre de 2011, no município de Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais. Intenciona também promover reflexões acerca do conteúdo teórico de sua constituição e da realidade de sua prática.

The Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), created in 1988 Federal Constitution, enunciates all State concepts and practical measures to promote, protect, and recover human health in the national territory. The main entrance door for the SUS is made of Health Primary Care Units (APS), which are able to identify the potentially damaging factors tohealth, and to act as its guidance and resolution. In addition, they are in charge of taking care of clinical demands, be them in care primary level, be for following and posterior reception of counter-reference cases that need more technological incorporation and evaluation by experts. This article represents the experience at the APS from a supervised schoolvisit during the Collective Health Internship (?Rural Internship?) carried out throughout 2011 fourth trimester, in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil. It also intends to promote reflections about the theoretical content of its constitution and its practice reality.