Impact on Fertility Rate and Embryo-Larval Development Due to the Association Acidification, Ocean Warming and Lead Contamination of a Sea Urchin Echinometra lucunter (Echinodermata: Echinoidea).

Ocean warming and acidification can cause deleterious effects on marine biota, which may be potentialized when associated with metal pollution. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of pH decrease, temperature increase and lead contamination on fertility rate and embryo-larval development of Echinometra lucunter. Gametes and embryos were exposed at pH 8.2 (control) and 7.5; at 26°C (control) and 28°C; and at lead concentrations of 0 (control), 125, 250 and 500 µg/L. These conditions were tested individually and in combination. The fertilization rate of E. lucunter was only significantly reduced in the treatments where temperature was increased and in the treatment where pH decreased. However, the development rate of the pluteus larvae was significantly affected in the majority of treatments: metal contamination in the higher concentration; decreased pH in all metal concentrations; increased temperature in the highest metal concentration; decreased pH and increased temperature and all variables combined, which is decreased pH, increased temperature and metal contamination in relation to the control group (C). The development test was shown to be more sensitive than the fertilization test in all the studied scenarios. In general, the present study suggests that pH decrease, temperature increase and metal pollution may have a significant impact on E. lucunter reproductive cycle.

Metal bioaccumulation and its genotoxic effects on eggs and hatchlings of giant Amazon river turtle (Podocnemis expansa).

The aim of this study was to assess whether possible metal contamination in the sediment of the nests of giant Amazon river turtle, Podocnemis expansa, could contaminate eggs and hatchlings, triggering genotoxic damage. Therefore, sediments of P. expansa nests from two sites in the Brazilian Amazon were evaluated, with the first being collected at Araguaia River and the second at Crixás-Açu River. Newly hatched offspring, eggs, and sediments were collected from the beaches of these two rivers and the quantification of metals (Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn) was carried out by atomic absorption spectroscopy. All targeted metals were found in both sediment and P. expansa biological samples collected on the beaches presenting higher concentrations in the sediment of Crixás-Açu River. Metals found in the eggshells before nesting and in the egg contents were maternally transferred. Moreover, augmented concentration of metals led by metal transfer from the nests sediments were detected in the eggshells after nesting (ENH) and in the newly hatched offspring (H). Probably this metal relocation to the newly hatchlings augmented the frequency of micronuclei in their blood, presenting 15.25‰ in hatchling found in Crixás-Açu River beaches and 10‰ in newly hatched animals from Araguaia River beaches. These results indicate the occurrence of maternal transfer of metals (essential or not) to the eggs in testudines as well as a transference from the sediments to the nesting eggs, triggering genotoxic effects on the hatchlings.

The effectiveness of surfactants applied with essential oil of Lippia alba in the anesthesia of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and their toxicity assessment for fish and mammals.

The Lippia alba essential oil (EO) is a fish anesthetic immiscible in water and commonly used diluted in ethanol. We evaluated the effectiveness of surfactant use with Lippia alba EO in the anesthesia of Oreochromis niloticus, as well as its toxicity in fish and mammals. The EO was extracted by hydrodistillation and the fish were exposed to anesthesia at the concentration of 250 µL/L for 10 min with the surfactants polysorbate 20 (T20), polysorbate 80 (T80), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and ethanol. We also evaluated fish recovery and anesthetic safety margin after exposure for 10, 20, and 30 min. To assess the surfactants' toxicity in mammals, Mus musculus (mice) received the same treatments by gavage. The main constituents of the Lippia alba EO were linalool (42.36%), geraniol (12.46%), neral (10.7%), and limonene (7.45%). Deeper anesthesia was faster in the T20 (60 ± 2.9 s) and T80 (272 ± 21 s) treatment groups, while recovery time for T80 was longer (596 ± 47 s). All treatments showed a good safety margin, without mortality. The genotoxic effects caused by surfactants in mammals and fish were at similar levels to those found in the ethanol treatment. Therefore, this study demonstrated that the use of surfactants T20 and T80 in Oreochromis niloticus anesthesia presented neither a reduction nor a considerable increase of the toxicity when compared to the commonly used ethanol; however, an increase in anesthetic effectiveness was observed throughout the experiment.

Metals Content in Herbal Supplements.

Obesity has become an international epidemic. To evaluate the level of metals in extracts of plants prescribed as weight loss supplements, different brands containing Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze, Citrus aurantium L., Cordia ecalyculata Vell, Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil, Cissus quadrangularis L., Senna alexandrina Mill were purchased in local market, hot acid digested, and analyzed while metal content by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, ICP-OES. Quality assurance and quality control tests were carried out in order to monitor and control the reliability of the analytical method. For each metal evaluated, a calibration curve was prepared with certified reference material. The recovery test was performed for each batch of samples. Analyses were performed in triplicate. Quantification of aluminum, barium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, lithium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, lead, vanadium, and zinc were determined. The metals most frequently detected were manganese (15.3-329,60 mg kg-1) aluminum (11.76-342.4 mg kg-1), and iron (11.14-73.01 mg kg-1) with higher levels in products containing C. sinensis China origin, I. paraguariensis Brazilian origin, C. quadrangularis, and C. aurantium China origin, respectively. To ensure safety consumption, an adequacy of the certification of Brazilian suppliers for herbal weight loss products is indispensable.

Relationship between male hormonal status, Bezold-Jarisch reflex function, and ACE activity (cardiac and plasmatic).

The negative relationship between androgens and the Bezold-Jarisch reflex (BJR) has been demonstrated, but no studies evaluated the physiological influence of testosterone on this reflex. We evaluated the influence of male rat castration on the BJR, cardiac morphometric parameters, and the plasmatic and the cardiac angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity. After castration (CAS), the rats were divided into 24 and 72 h (CAS24H, CAS72H), and 7 and 21 days (CAS7D, CAS21D) groups. The BJR was studied by administering increasing doses of phenylbiguanide (PBG; 1.5-24 µg/kg) at different times after castration. Castration results in the following: (i) reduction in testosterone levels (SHAM: 238.7 ± 15.1; CAS24H: 9.0 ± 0.5; CAS72H: 6.7 ± 0.4; CAS7D: 5.2 ± 0.2; and CAS21D: 2.2 ± 0.3 ng/dL; p < 0.05); (ii) no changes in 17ß-estradiol; (iii) a reduced BJR sensitivity (PBG 6 µg/kg; SHAM: 77 ± 7; CAS24H: 63 ± 10; CAS72H: 55 ± 6; CAS7D: 54 ± 4; and CAS21D: 35 ± 2%; p < 0.01); (iv) a decrease in cardiac (SHAM: 107 ± 6; CAS24H: 92 ± 2; CAS72H: 82 ± 3; CAS7D: 54 ± 3; and CAS21D: 43 ± 4%; p < 0.05) and plasmatic (SHAM: 135 ± 8; CAS24H: 102 ± 5; CAS72H: 99 ± 3; CAS7D: 89 ± 4; and CAS21D: 56 ± 6%; p < 0.05) ACE activity. No changes were observed in cardiac morphometry and hemodynamic parameters. Therefore, castration leads to decrease in testosterone levels as early as 24 h, reduction in ACE activity and loss of BJR sensitivity 7 days after castration. The loss of BJR sensitivity was not related to cardiac morphometric changes and cardiovascular hemodynamics.

Level of satisfaction of clients of public pharmacies dispensing high-cost drugs in Espírito Santo, Brazil

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of satisfaction of pharmaceutical services and to determine the socioeconomic profile of public pharmacy clients. This is a cross-sectional observational study using a quantitative approach. The sample was calculated from the monthly number of patients seen in pharmacies and was stratified for each pharmacy. Data were analysed using SPSS 11.5 software and by observing the simple relative frequencies for qualitative variables. For the quantitative variables, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc Fisher tests were performed. Data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD). The results show that, in general, patients at "Farmácias cidadãs" are satisfied with the services. However, when stratified, we found that the greatest satisfaction was related only to structural and organizational aspects, while the pharmaceutical services are unsatisfactory. When relating satisfaction to the socioeconomic characteristics, a difference between waiting time (39.07 ± 19.53), attendance by pharmacist (8.91 ± 5.14) and education was observed. It is concluded that users are satisfied with the services of state "Farmácias cidadãs" of Espírito Santo, but there should be improvements in relation to pharmaceutical services and the interpersonal relationships between health professionals and users of the public health system in Brazil.

RESUMO O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o nível de satisfação dos serviços farmacêuticos e a determinação do perfil socioeconômico de clientes de farmácias públicas. Trata-se de um estudo observacional transversal com abordagem quantitativa. A amostra foi calculada através de dados da quantidade mensal de pacientes atendidos nas farmácias e estratificada para cada unidade do Estado. Os dados foram analisados por meio programa SPSS 11.5, observando-se as frequências relativas simples para as variáveis qualitativas. Para as variáveis quantitativas efetuaram-se análise de variância de uma via (ANOVA) e teste post-hoc de Fisher. Os dados foram expressos como a média ± desvio padrão (DP). Os resultados revelam que, em geral, os usuários atendidos nas farmácias cidadãs estão satisfeitos com os serviços, porém, quando estratificado por pergunta, avaliou-se que a maior satisfação está relacionada apenas aos aspectos estruturais e organizacionais e que o serviço farmacêutico é insatisfatório. Quando relacionada à satisfação com as características socioeconômicas, observou-se diferença entre tempo de espera (39.07 ± 19.53), de atendimento pelo farmacêutico (8.91 ± 5.14) e escolaridade. Conclui-se que os usuários estão satisfeitos com os serviços das farmácias cidadãs estaduais do Espírito Santo, porém deve haver melhora em relação ao atendimento farmacêutico e à relação interpessoal entre profissionais de saúde e usuários do sistema público de saúde brasileiro.

Nandrolone decanoate determines cardiac remodelling and injury by an imbalance in cardiac inflammatory cytokines and ACE activity, blunting of the Bezold-Jarisch reflex, resulting in the development of hypertension.

The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of nandrolone (ND) on cardiac inflammatory cytokines, ACE activity, troponin I, and the sensitivity of the Bezold-Jarisch reflex (BJR). Male Wistar rats were administered either ND (20 mg/kg; DECA) or vehicle (control animals; CONT) for 4 weeks. BJR was analyzed by measuring the bradycardia and hypotension responses elicited by serotonin administration (2-32 µg/kg). Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was assessed and myocyte hypertrophy was determined by the heart weight/body weight ratio and by morphometric analysis. Matrix collagen deposition was assessed by histological analysis of the picrosirius red-stained samples. Mesenteric vascular reactivity was performed and central venous pressure (CVP) evaluated. Cardiac inflammatory cytokine levels and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity were studied as well the biomarker of cardiac lesion, troponin I. DECA group showed enhancement of matrix type I collagen deposition (p < 0.01) and cardiac ACE activity (p < 0.01) compared with the CONT. Interleukin (IL)-10 was reduced (p < 0.01) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6; p < 0.01) were increased in the DECA group compared with CONT. Cardiac injury was observed in the DECA group shown by the reduction in cardiac troponin I (p < 0.01) compared with the CONT group. Animals in the DECA group also developed myocyte hypertrophy and reduction of BJR sensitivity. The MAP of animals treated with ND reached hypertensive levels (p < 0.01; compared with CONT). No changes in CVP and vascular reactivity were observed in both experimental groups. We conclude that high doses of ND elicit cardiotoxic effects with cardiac remodelling and injury. Cardiac changes reduce the BJR sensitivity. Together, these abnormalities contributed to the development of hypertension in animals in the DECA group.