What are the global patterns of microplastic ingestion by fish? A scientometric review.

The billions of tons of plastic released into the environment mostly fragment into smaller particles that reach rivers and oceans, posing toxicity risks to aquatic organisms. As fish serve as excellent environmental indicator organisms, this study aims to comprehensively review and quantify published data regarding the abundance of microplastics (MPs) ingested by fish through scientometric analysis. Systematic analysis reveals that global aquatic ecosystems are contaminated by MPs, with the characteristics of these contaminants stemming from inadequate disposal management practices. The abundance of MPs was recorded in several fish species, notably Cyprinus carpio in natural environments and Danio rerio in controlled environments. According to the surveyed studies, laboratory experiments do not accurately represent the conditions found in natural environments. The results suggest that, in natural environments, the predominant colors of MPs are blue, black, and red. Fibers emerged as the most prevalent type, with polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) being the most frequently identified chemical compositions. On the other hand, laboratory studies showed that the spheres and fragments ingested were predominantly polystyrene (PS) green, followed by the colors blue and red. This discrepancy complicates drawing accurate conclusions regarding the actual effects of plastic particles on aquatic biota. Given the enduring presence of plastic in the environment, it is imperative to consider and implement environmental monitoring for effective, long-term management.

Effect of administering a diet contamined with fumonisins on the kidneys of wistar rats / Efeito da administração de ração contaminada com a micotoxina fumonisinas sobre os rins de ratos wistar

Fumonisins (FBs) are mycotoxins produced by Fusarium molds. Several works have shown contamination of maize by this toxin. Fumonisin B1 (FB-1) is found in greatest proportion (about 70%), resistant to several industrialization processes. In that context, the objective of this work was to analyze the effect of administering a diet contaminated with FB- 1 on the morphophysiology of the kidneys of 21-day old male Wistar rats. The animals were divided into 2 groups: G0 (with animals receiving feed free of FBs) and G6 (6mg of FB1 kg-1 of feed). The diet was administered during 42 days. After that period, the animals were placed in metabolic cages for urine collection, blood was collected for analysis of plasma creatinine, and the kidneys were fixed and stained with Masson's trichrome. We observed that FB1 administration did not affect feed intake, body weight gain and animal growth. The normal levels of plasma creatinine suggest that the toxin did not lead to glomerular lesion. There was also no change in water intake, osmolarity and excretion of sodium in urine. However, there was a significant increase in urine volume and potassium excretion in urine, with mild tubulointerstitial changes in the outer cortex for the group receiving the mycotoxin.

Fumonisinas (FBs) são micotoxinas produzidas por fungos do gênero Fusarium. Diversos trabalhos demonstraram a contaminação do milho por essa toxina. A fumonisina B1 (FB-1) é encontrada em maior proporção (cerca de 70%), sendo resistente a vários processos de industrialização. De acordo com este contexto, o trabalho em foco teve como objetivo analisar o efeito da administração de dieta contaminada com FB-1 sobre a morfofisiologia renal de ratos Wistar machos, com 21 dias de idade. Os animais foram divididos em 2 grupos: G0 (ração isenta de FBs) e G6 (alimentados com 6mg de FB1 kg-1 de ração). A dieta foi administrada por 42 dias. Após esse período, os animais foram colocados em gaiolas metabólicas para coleta da urina, o sangue foi coletado para análise da creatinina plasmática, e os rins fixados e corados pelo Tricrômico de Masson. Observou-se que a administração de FB1 não afetou o consumo de ração, o ganho de peso e crescimento dos animais. A normalidade nos níveis da creatinina plasmática sugere que a toxina não induziu lesão glomerular. Não houve alteração na quantidade de água ingerida, na osmolaridade e na excreção urinária do sódio. No entanto houve aumento significativo no volume urinário e na excreção urinária do potássio e presença de alterações tubulointersticiais de intensidade leve no córtex externo, no grupo que recebeu a micotoxina.

Variação anatômica do músculo tibial anterior / Anatomical variation of tibialis anterior muscle

O músculo tibial anterior tem sido usado em muitas aplicações clínicas como um elemento de reconstrução, especialmente nas lesões do terço distal da perna. Este artigo descreve o achado de uma variação anatômica bilateral no músculo tibial anterior. Em um cadáver masculino de cor negra, com 53 anos de idade, em ambos os membros, o músculo tibial anterior estava fixado ao retináculo distal dos músculos extensores (fáscia do dorso do pé) e com um tendão supranumerário para a cabeça do primeiro osso metatarsal.

Variação anatômica do músculo grácil: relato de caso / Anatomical variation of the gracilis muscle: a case report

The gracilis muscle has very constant anatomy patterns. The removal of this muscle does not entail any important functional loss of the lower limb function. Therefore, the gracilis muscle has been used in many clinical settings as an element of reconstruction. This article reports a variation of the gracilis muscle anatomy. In a 53-year-old black man corpse, the right gracilis muscle was found divided proximally into two heads the originated separately from the pubic bone and joined 9 cm above knee joint. Onlu one tendon fixed the two heads distally at the tibia. In the left lower limb of the same corpse, the muscle had only one belly originated from the pubis, immediately lower to the pubic tubercle at the inferior ramus of the pubis.

Density and morphometry of myenteric neurons of the ileum of rats subjected to chronic alcoholism

This work verified the changes caused by ethanol ingestion on the myenteric neurons of the ileum of rats subjected to chronic alcoholism. Twenty rats (Rattus norvegicus) were divided in control (GC) and alcoholic (GA) groups during 210 days. The animals from group GA received sugar-cane brandy diluted to 30 GL and those from group GC received water. Both groups were fed with rodent chow ad libitum. The ileum was prepared as whole-mounts for neuronal staining according to Barbosa (1978) and Gabella (1979). The neurons were counted and the cell bodies were measured. The statistical analysis revealed a significant decrease in the number of large neurons in GA compared with GC, while there was a significant increase in the number of small neurons in GA. There was a smaller body growth in GA, thus causing a smaller spread of the nerve cells and a larger number of neurons evidenced by the techniques of Giemsa and NADH-diaphorase in the alcoholic animals than in the controls, and a decrease in the size of the cell bodies, evidenced by the increase in the proportion of small neurons and decrease in the proportion of large nerve cells.