Sensitivity of air quality to vehicle ammonia emissions in the United States.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates on-road vehicles emissions using the Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator (MOVES). We developed updated ammonia emission rates for MOVES based on road-side exhaust emission measurements of light-duty gasoline and heavy-duty diesel vehicles. The resulting nationwide on-road vehicle ammonia emissions are 1.8, 2.1, 1.8, and 1.6 times higher than the MOVES3 estimates for calendar years 2010, 2017, 2024, and 2035, respectively, primarily due to an increase in light-duty gasoline vehicle NH3 emission rates. We conducted an air quality simulation using the Community Multi-Scale Air Quality (CMAQv5.3.2) model to evaluate the sensitivity of modeled ammonia and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations in calendar year 2017 using the updated on-road vehicle ammonia emissions. The average monthly urban ammonia ambient concentrations increased by up to 2.3 ppbv in January and 3.0 ppbv in July. The updated on-road NH3 emission rates resulted in better agreement of modeled ammonia concentrations with 2017 annual average ambient ammonia measurements, reducing model bias by 5.8 % in the Northeast region. Modeled average winter PM2.5 concentrations increased in urban areas, including enhancements of up to 0.5 µg/m3 in the northeast United States. The updated ammonia emission rates have been incorporated in MOVES4 and will be used in future versions of the NEI and EPA's modeling platforms.

Microbiological contamination profile in soft drinks.

Soft drinks are food matrices propitious to the growth of acidophilic bacteria, yeasts, and filamentous fungi due to their pH, water activity, and the presence of nutrients. Off-flavor, clouding, and package stuffing are the only parameters producers have to detect spoilage when it is often too late for the brand's reputation. In this work, microbiological analyses were performed on non-alcoholic beverages of Brazilian and Bolivian brands. As a result, Gram-positive, Gram-negative, yeast, and filamentous fungi were isolated. Zygosaccharomyces bisporus yeast was isolated from different flavored stuffed products, and Gluconacetobacter liquefaciens and Brevibacillus agri were isolated from packages without visible signs of deterioration. These microorganisms were identified by MALDI-TOF. For products with visible growth of filamentous fungi, microscopic identification keys identified Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium citrinum, Paecilomyces niveus, and Paecilomyces variotii. These work's findings reflect a failure to sanitize raw materials since the isolates' primary origin is the soil and the water, pointing to the lack of process control in soft drinks.

Exploring the spatiotemporal genetic heterogeneity in metastatic lung adenocarcinoma using a nuclei flow-sorting approach.

Variable tumor cellularity can limit sensitivity and precision in comparative genomics because differences in tumor content can result in misclassifying truncal mutations as region-specific private mutations in stroma-rich regions, especially when studying tissue specimens of mediocre tumor cellularity such as lung adenocarcinomas (LUADs). To address this issue, we refined a nuclei flow-sorting approach by sorting nuclei based on ploidy and the LUAD lineage marker thyroid transcription factor 1 and applied this method to investigate genome-wide somatic copy number aberrations (SCNAs) and mutations of 409 cancer genes in 39 tumor populations obtained from 16 primary tumors and 21 matched metastases. This approach increased the mean tumor purity from 54% (range 7-89%) of unsorted material to 92% (range 79-99%) after sorting. Despite this rise in tumor purity, we detected limited genetic heterogeneity between primary tumors and their metastases. In fact, 88% of SCNAs and 80% of mutations were propagated from primary tumors to metastases and low allele frequency mutations accounted for much of the mutational heterogeneity. Even though the presence of SCNAs indicated a history of chromosomal instability (CIN) in all tumors, metastases did not have more SCNAs than primary tumors. Moreover, tumors with biallelic TP53 or ATM mutations had high numbers of SCNAs, yet they were associated with a low interlesional genetic heterogeneity. The results of our study thus provide evidence that most macroevolutionary events occur in primary tumors before metastatic dissemination and advocate for a limited degree of CIN over time and space in this cohort of LUADs. Sampling of primary tumors thus may suffice to detect most mutations and SCNAs. In addition, metastases but not primary tumors had seeded additional metastases in three of four patients; this provides a genomic rational for surgical treatment of such oligometastatic LUADs. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Virulence of Trypanosoma cruzi from vector and reservoir in in natura açaí pulp resulting in food-borne acute Chagas disease at Pará State, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: In recent decades some outbreaks of food-borne acute Chagas disease (ACD) in humans were identified by clinical and epidemiological characterization after association through the ingestion of açaí pulp probably contaminated with Trypanosoma cruzi. Whereas Belém and Abaetetuba stood out as important risk regions for disease transmission, the importance of Rhodnius pictipes, and Philander opossum for the biological cycle of T. cruzi, and data from agribusiness market of açaí, to study T. cruzi from vector and reservoir of the Brazilian Amazon region is critical for this context. Thus, the purpose of this study was to verify the infective capacity and the virulence of T. cruzi in açaí pulp from vector and reservoir at Pará State experimentally. METHODS: 105T. cruzi I in in natura açaí pulp from Belém at Pará State, at room temperature, after forced sieving, by intraperitoneal, gavage or oral route of inoculation in B6.129S7Rag1-/-tmMom/J Unib allowed food-borne ACD analysis using common light microscopy. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: T. cruzi in in natura açaí pulp from R. pictipes (Val-De-Cans Forest, Belém, and Ajuaí River, Abaetetuba, Pará), and P. opossum (Combu Island, Belém, Pará) caused ACD and death between 17 and 52 days after experimental infections in murine immunodeficient hosts. CONCLUSIONS: T. cruzi from different sources and locations at Pará State in in natura açaí pulp retained its infective capacity and virulence, and can cause new outbreaks of ACD by oral transmission. Additionally, quality basic education will facilitate efficient hygiene practices throughout the açaí productive chain can eradicate food-borne ACD in the coming decades.

Identification and molecular phylogeny of coagulase-negative staphylococci isolates from Minas Frescal cheese in southeastern Brazil: Superantigenic toxin production and antibiotic resistance.

Minas Frescal is a typical Brazilian fresh cheese and one of the most popular dairy products in the country. This white soft, semiskimmed, nonripened cheese with high moisture content is obtained by enzymatic coagulation of cow milk using calf rennet or coagulants, usually in industrial dairy plants, but is also manufactured in small farms. Contamination of Minas Frescal by several staphylococci has been frequently reported. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) strains are maybe the most harmful, as they are able to produce heat-stable enterotoxins with super antigenic activities in food matrices, especially in dairy products such as soft cheeses. The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of CNS strains in Minas Frescal marketed in southeastern Brazil concerning the risk of staphylococci food poisoning by the consumption of improperly manufactured cheese and the possibility of these food matrices being a reservoir of staphylococcal resistance to antimicrobials. Ten distinct CNS strains were found in 6 cheeses from distinct brands. The most frequent species were Staphylococcus saprophyticus (40%), Staphylococcus xylosus (30%), Staphylococcus sciuri (20%), and Staphylococcus piscifermentans (10%). Three strains were identified to the Staphylococcus genera. Three major species groups composed of 3 refined clusters were grouped by phylogenetic analyses with similarities over to 90%. All CNS strains carried multiple enterotoxin genes, with high incidence of sea and seb (90 and 70%, respectively), followed by sec/see, seh/sei, and sed with intermediate incidence (60, 50, and 40%, respectively), and, finally, seg/selk/selq/selr and selu with the lowest incidence (20 and 10%, respectively). Real-time reverse transcription PCR and ELISA assays confirmed the enteroxigenic character of the CNS strains, which expressed and produced the enterotoxins in vitro. The CNS strains showed multiresistance to antimicrobial agents such as ß-lactams, vancomycin, and linezolid, which have therapeutic importance in both human and veterinarian medicines. The risk of staphylococci food poisoning by the consumption of improperly manufactured Minas Frescal was emphasized, in addition to the possibility of these food matrices being a reservoir for antibiotic resistance. More effective control measures concerning the presence and typing of staphylococci in raw milk and dairy derivatives should be included to prevent the spread of pathogenic strains.

Radiative flux and forcing parameterization error in aerosol-free clear skies.

Radiation parameterizations in GCMs are more accurate than their predecessorsErrors in estimates of 4 ×CO2 forcing are large, especially for solar radiationErrors depend on atmospheric state, so global mean error is unknown.

Caesarean scar pregnancy presenting at 17 weeks with a journey involving an exploratory laparotomy, continuing pregnancy and delivery at 34 weeks: A case report.

Caesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) occurs when the gestational sac implants in the region of a scar from a previous caesarean delivery. CSP can lead to life-threatening complications, including severe haemorrhage, uterine rupture, placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) and hysterectomy. A 40-year-old woman with one previous caesarean was referred to the specialist centre at 17+1 weeks of gestation with concerns about CSP. At 19 weeks, she was admitted with abdominal pain. Due to raised body habitus, accurate ultrasound assessment was challenging, necessitating reliance on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The patient desired to continue the pregnancy, but due to pain and concerns about uterine rupture she consented to a laparotomy to potentially terminate the pregnancy. Findings during the laparotomy were reassuring, leading to the decision not to terminate the pregnancy. The patient remained hospitalised until delivery by caesarean-hysterectomy at 33+6 weeks. Histopathology confirmed the PAS diagnosis. This case highlights the importance of achieving early diagnosis and obtaining clear sonographic findings. It emphasises the pitfalls of relying on MRI due to its tendency to over-diagnose severity. It emphasises the urgency for improved training in this domain. Early sonographic diagnosis allows safer performance of termination of pregnancy. It also provides women who continue with the pregnancy useful prognostic signs to facilitate decisions on the optimal gestation for delivery. Determining optimal conservative management for CSP remains an ongoing challenge. This case emphasises the importance of multidisciplinary discussion, comprehensive patient counselling and involving patients in their care planning, to create an individualised and adaptable treatment plan.

Constraining East Asia ammonia emissions through satellite observations and iterative Finite Difference Mass Balance (iFDMB) and investigating its impact on inorganic fine particulate matter.

Uncertainty in ammonia (NH3) emissions causes the inaccuracy of fine particulate matter simulations, which is associated with human health. To address this uncertainty, in this work, we employ the iterative finite difference mass balance (iFDMB) technique to revise NH3 emissions over East Asia using the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CRIS) satellite for July, August, and September 2019. Compared to the emissions, the revised NH3 emissions show an increase in China, particularly in the North China Plain (NCP) region, corresponding to agricultural land use in July, August, and September and a decrease in South Korea in September. The enhancement in NH3 emissions resulted in a remarkable increase in concentrations of NH3 by 5 ppb. in July and September, there is an increase in ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3-) concentrations by 5 µg/m3, particularly in the NCP region, while in August, both NH4+ and NO3- concentrations exhibit a decrease. For sulfate (SO42-), in August and September, the concentrations decreased over most regions of China and Taiwan, as a result of the production of ammonium sulfate; increased concentrations of SO42-, however, were simulated over South Korea, Japan, and the southern region of Chengdu, caused by higher relative humidity (RH). In contrast, during the month of July, our simulations showed an increase in SO42- concentrations over most regions of China. To gain a more comprehensive understanding, we defined a sulfur conversion ratio ( [Formula: see text] ), which explains how changes in sulfur in the gas phase affect changes in sulfate concentrations. A subsequent sensitivity analysis performed in this study indicated the same relationship between changes in ammonia and its effect on inorganic fine particulate matter (PM2.5). This study highlights the challenge of controlling and managing inorganic PM2.5 and indicates that reducing the emissions of air pollutants do not necessarily lead to a reduction in their concentrations.

Comparative Analysis of Co-Cultured Amniotic Cell-Conditioned Media with Cell-Free Amniotic Fluid Reveals Differential Effects on Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Myofibroblast Activation.

Myofibroblast activation is a cellular response elicited by a variety of physiological or pathological insults whereby cells initiate a coordinated response intended to eradicate the insult and then revert back to a basal state. However, an underlying theme in various disease states is persistent myofibroblast activation that fails to resolve. Based on multiple observations, we hypothesized that the secreted factors harvested from co-culturing amniotic stem cells might mimic the anti-inflammatory state that cell-free amniotic fluid (AF) elicits. We optimized an amnion epithelial and amniotic fluid cell co-culture system, and tested this hypothesis in the context of myofibroblast activation. However, we discovered that co-cultured amniotic cell conditioned media (coACCM) and AF have opposing effects on myofibroblast activation: coACCM activates the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stimulates gene expression patterns associated with myofibroblast activation, while AF does the opposite. Intriguingly, extracellular vesicles (EVs) purified from AF are necessary and sufficient to activate EMT and inflammatory gene expression patterns, while the EV-depleted AF potently represses these responses. In summary, these data indicate that coACCM stimulates myofibroblast activation, while AF represses it. We interpret these findings to suggest that coACCM, AF, and fractionated AF represent unique biologics that elicit different cellular responses that are correlated with a wide variety of pathological states, and therefore could have broad utility in the clinic and the lab.

4D-Var Inversion of European NH3 Emissions Using CrIS NH3 Measurements and GEOS-Chem Adjoint With Bi-Directional and Uni-Directional Flux Schemes.

We conduct the first 4D-Var inversion of NH3 accounting for NH3 bi-directional flux, using CrIS satellite NH3 observations over Europe in 2016. We find posterior NH3 emissions peak more in springtime than prior emissions at continental to national scales, and annually they are generally smaller than the prior emissions over central Europe, but larger over most of the rest of Europe. Annual posterior anthropogenic NH3 emissions for 25 European Union members (EU25) are 25% higher than the prior emissions and very close (<2% difference) to other inventories. Our posterior annual anthropogenic emissions for EU25, the UK, the Netherlands, and Switzerland are generally 10%-20% smaller than when treating NH3 fluxes as uni-directional emissions, while the monthly regional difference can be up to 34% (Switzerland in July). Compared to monthly mean in-situ observations, our posterior NH3 emissions from both schemes generally improve the magnitude and seasonality of simulated surface NH3 and bulk NH x wet deposition throughout most of Europe, whereas evaluation against hourly measurements at a background site shows the bi-directional scheme better captures observed diurnal variability of surface NH3. This contrast highlights the need for accurately simulating diurnal variability of NH3 in assimilation of sun-synchronous observations and also the potential value of future geostationary satellite observations. Overall, our top-down ammonia emissions can help to examine the effectiveness of air pollution control policies to facilitate future air pollution management, as well as helping us understand the uncertainty in top-down NH3 emissions estimates associated with treatment of NH3 surface exchange.

Prevalence study on self-declared work accidents in areas covered by family health strategies: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Occupational accidents are a complex phenomenon and a major public health problem. Occupational health surveillance actions are essential for prevention of injuries of this nature. OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the prevalence of and the variables associated with occupational accidents in the city of Itajubá (MG). DESIGN AND SETTING: A cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach, based on a household survey with random sampling, was conducted in areas covered by the Family Health Strategy (FHS) in Itajubá (MG). METHODS: Questionnaires were applied to 292 people. The data were analyzed by means of logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of occupational accidents was 8.6%. The underreporting rate was 60.0%. The scenario for these accidents, according to the model established through the regression analysis, was most likely to involve males who declared their skin color as white and who did not have a formal employment contract. CONCLUSION: This study makes a contribution towards unveiling the relationship between healthcare and work, and thus serve as support for the development of strategies to prevent underreporting. Lastly, the results provide the basis for future public health intervention actions and for future studies.

Chagas' disease as a foodborne illness.

Various researchers have studied the importance of the oral transmission of Chagas' disease since the mid-20th century. Only in recent years, due to an outbreak that occurred in the Brazilian State of Santa Catarina in 2005 and to various outbreaks occurring during the last 3 years in the Brazilian Amazon basin, mainly associated with the consumption of Amazonian palm berry or açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) juice, has this transmission route aroused the attention of researchers. Nevertheless, reports published in the 1960s already indicated the possibility of Chagas' disease transmission via food in Brazil, mainly in the Amazonian region. Recently, in December 2007, an outbreak of Chagas' disease occurred in Caracas, Venezuela, related to ingestion of contaminated fruit juices. The objective of this article is to point out the importance of foodborne transmission in the etiology of Chagas' disease, on the basis of published research and Brazilian epidemiology data.

À luz da constituição e produção do racismo: a psicologia hospitalar tem cor? / In the light of the constitution and production of racism: does hospital psychology have color? / A la luz de la constitución y la producción de racismo: ¿la psicología hospitalaria tiene color?

OBJETIVO: Este trabalho apresenta aspectos de uma observação participante em um Hospital Universitário do nível terciário da rede SUS localizado em Vitória, capital da região sudeste do Brasil, durante o primeiro semestre de 2023. Logo, o relato a seguir pretende provocar e incitar a discussão sobre os desafios enfrentados pela psicologia em contexto hospitalar, dentre eles o racismo estrutural impregnado nos corpos e nos gestos que se atualizam naquele estabelecimento. MÉTODO: Trata-se de um relato de experiência, de caráter qualitativo, vivido através do acompanhamento da dinâmica hospitalar da clínica cirúrgica e da clínica médica do referido Hospital. O percurso metodológico foi realizado por meio da análise institucional de linhagem francesa, calcada em discussões de orientações do estágio, onde os diários de campo, observações e participações no campo eram semanalmente discutidas. RESULTADOS: Destaca a produção e reafirmação do racismo estrutural no país, que se expressa tanto no trato com pacientes quanto com funcionários e estudantes. A escuta da equipe profissional do hospital é marcada, muitas vezes, por práticas assistencialistas e por processos de exclusão preconceituosos, fazendo-nos indagar: "A psicologia hospitalar tem cor?" CONCLUSÃO: O objetivo da pesquisa foi cumprido e, além disso, relatar essa experiência suscitou ao campo diversas questões como: de que forma colocar em funcionamento uma gestão hospitalar que propicie uma política de compartilhamento de atenção ao paciente entre os equipamentos da atenção?

OBJECTIVE: This work presents aspects of participant observation in a University Hospital at the tertiary level of the SUS network located in Vitória, capital of the southeast region of Brazil, during the first half of 2023. Therefore, the following report intends to provoke and incite discussion about the challenges faced by psychology in a hospital context, among them the structural racism permeated in the bodies and gestures that are updated in that establishment. METHOD: This is an experience report, of a qualitative nature, experienced through monitoring the hospital dynamics of the surgical clinic and the medical clinic of the aforementioned Hospital. The methodological path was carried out through institutional data analysis, based on discussions of internship guidelines, where field diaries, observations and participation in the internship were discussed weekly. RESULTS: Highlights the production and reaffirmation of structural racism in the country, which is expressed both in dealings with patients, employees and students. Listening to the hospital's professional team is often marked by welfare practices and prejudiced exclusion processes, making us ask: "Does hospital psychology have color?" CONCLUSION: The objective of the research was fulfilled and, in addition, reporting this experience raised several questions in the field, such as: how to put into operation hospital management that provides a policy of sharing patients between care equipment?

OBJETIVO: Este trabajo presenta aspectos de la observación participante en un Hospital Universitario del nivel terciario de la red SUS ubicado en Vitória, capital de la región sureste de Brasil durante el primer semestre de 2023. Por lo tanto, el siguiente informe pretende provocar e incitar a la discusión sobre los desafíos que enfrenta la psicología en el contexto hospitalario, entre ellos el racismo estructural permeado en los cuerpos y gestos que se actualizan en ese establecimiento. MÉTODO: Se trata de un relato de experiencia, de carácter cualitativo, vivida a través del seguimiento de la dinámica hospitalaria de la clínica quirúrgica y de la clínica médica del mencionado Hospital. El recorrido metodológico se realizó a través del análisis de datos institucionales, a partir de discusiones sobre lineamientos de pasantía, donde semanalmente se discutieron diarios de campo, observaciones y participación en la pasantía. RESULTADOS: Destaca la producción y reafirmación del racismo estructural en el país, que se expresa tanto en el trato con pacientes, empleados y estudiantes. La escucha del equipo profesional del hospital muchas veces está marcada por prácticas asistencialistas y procesos de exclusión prejuiciosos, lo que nos lleva a preguntarnos: "¿Tiene color la psicología hospitalaria?". CONCLUSIÓN: El objetivo de la investigación fue cumplido y, además, relatar esta experiencia generó varias preguntas en el campo, tales como: ¿cómo poner en funcionamiento una gestión hospitalaria que prevea una política de reparto de pacientes entre equipos de atención?

New Bidirectional Ammonia Flux Model in an Air Quality Model Coupled With an Agricultural Model.

Ammonia surface flux is bidirectional; that is, net flux can be either upward or downward. In fertilized agricultural croplands and grasslands there is usually more emission than deposition especially in midday during warmer seasons. In North America, most of the ammonia emissions are from agriculture with a significant fraction of that coming from fertilizer. A new bidirectional ammonia flux modeling system has been developed in the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model, which has close linkages with the Environmental Policy Integrated Climate (EPIC) agricultural ecosystem model. Daily inputs from EPIC are used to calculate soil ammonia concentrations that are combined with air concentrations in CMAQ to calculate bidirectional surface flux. The model is evaluated against surface measurements of NH3 concentrations, NH4 + and SO4 2- aerosol concentrations, NH4 + wet deposition measurements, and satellite retrievals of NH3 concentrations. The evaluation shows significant improvement over the base model without bidirectional ammonia flux. Comparisons to monthly average satellite retrievals show similar spatial distribution with the highest ammonia concentrations in the Central Valley of California (CA), the Snake River valley in Idaho, and the western High Plains. In most areas the model underestimates, but in the Central Valley of CA, it generally overestimates ammonia concentration. Case study analyses indicate that modeled high fluxes of ammonia in CA are often caused by anomalous high soil ammonia loading from EPIC for particular crop types. While further improvements to parameterizations in EPIC and CMAQ are recommended, this system is a significant advance over previous ammonia bidirectional surface flux models.

Growth Parameters and Survivability of Saccharomyces boulardii for Probiotic Alcoholic Beverages Development.

The aim of this research was to optimize the growth parameters (pH, ethanol tolerance, initial cell concentration and temperature) for Saccharomyces boulardii and its tolerance to in vitro gastrointestinal conditions for probiotic alcoholic beverage development. Placket-Burman screening was used to select only statistically significant variables, and the polynomial mathematical model for yeast growth was obtained by central composite rotatable design. Confirmation experiments to determine the kinetic parameters for yeast growth were carried out by controlling the temperature and pH. Soon after, the survivability of yeast was tested under in vitro conditions mimicking the human upper gastrointestinal transit. S. boulardii had suitable resistance to alcohol and gastrointestinal conditions for probiotic alcoholic beverage development.

Microencapsulation of tiger nut milk by lyophilization: Morphological characteristics, shelf life and microbiological stability.

Tiger nut milk is a nutrient rich drink with great commercialization potential. However, it is highly perishable. Microencapsulation of tiger nut milk by a blend of inulin and modified tiger nut starch resulted in a product with good characteristics. The microspheres of lyophilized tiger nut milk were spherical with and average particle size of 1.01 µm. It's thermal degradation occurred above 346 °C, denoting an excellent thermal resistance. There was no significant structural alteration in the active material after microencapsulation and no loss of stability within 60 days, which confirms that this process enables the preservation of freshness and chemical characteristics of tiger nut milk. During 30-90 days, vitamin C contents were stable in the presence or absence of light. Microsphere with tiger nut milk presented a shelf life of 60 days. Total aerobic mesophiles and total fungi counts were below 106 CFU/mL, showing good microbiological stability.

Virulence of Trypanosoma cruzi in Açai ( Euterpe oleraceae Martius) Pulp following Mild Heat Treatment.

Outbreaks of acute Chagas disease (ACD) in northern Brazil can be caused by the ingestion of unprocessed açai pulp contaminated with Trypanosoma cruzi . The aim of this study was to determine the minimum thermal process required to inactivate T. cruzi in açai pulp. Trypomastigotes (100,000) of T. cruzi Y strain were added to 0.15 M NaCl or açai pulp and continuously mixed while being heat treated at 37 to 49°C for up to 1 h. When necessary, parasites were separated from açai pulp by forced sieving. Inocula were administrated intraperitoneally in inbred immunodeficient C.B-17-Prkdcscid/Pas Unib mice, and the recipients were monitored for parasitemia and mortality. Mice received prophylactic antibiotic therapy by using cephalexin to prevent bacterial infection from the açai pulp. T. cruzi retained its virulence in 0.15 M NaCl and açai pulp at 44 ± 0.1°C for 10 min and at 43 ± 0.1°C for 20 min, respectively, causing ACD and death in mice up to 24 days after infection. Incubation of açai pulp inoculum above 43°C for 20 min neutralized T. cruzi virulence, thereby preventing ACD and death in murine recipients. The heating of açai pulp above 43°C for 20 min is a practical and effective measure to prevent foodborne ACD caused by T. cruzi .

Benzene as a Chemical Hazard in Processed Foods.

This paper presents a literature review on benzene in foods, including toxicological aspects, occurrence, formation mechanisms, and mitigation measures and analyzes data reporting benzene levels in foods. Benzene is recognized by the IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) as carcinogenic to humans, and its presence in foods has been attributed to various potential sources: packaging, storage environment, contaminated drinking water, cooking processes, irradiation processes, and degradation of food preservatives such as benzoates. Since there are no specific limits for benzene levels in beverages and food in general studies have adopted references for drinking water in a range from 1-10 ppb. The presence of benzene has been reported in various food/beverage substances with soft drinks often reported in the literature. Although the analyses reported low levels of benzene in most of the samples studied, some exceeded permissible limits. The available data on dietary exposure to benzene is minimal from the viewpoint of public health. Often benzene levels were low as to be considered negligible and not a consumer health risk, but there is still a need of more studies for a better understanding of their effects on human health through the ingestion of contaminated food.

Prevalence study on self-declared work accidents in areas covered by family health strategies: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Occupational accidents are a complex phenomenon and a major public health problem. Occupational health surveillance actions are essential for prevention of injuries of this nature. OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the prevalence of and the variables associated with occupational accidents in the city of Itajubá (MG). DESIGN AND SETTING: A cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach, based on a household survey with random sampling, was conducted in areas covered by the Family Health Strategy (FHS) in Itajubá (MG). METHODS: Questionnaires were applied to 292 people. The data were analyzed by means of logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of occupational accidents was 8.6%. The underreporting rate was 60.0%. The scenario for these accidents, according to the model established through the regression analysis, was most likely to involve males who declared their skin color as white and who did not have a formal employment contract. CONCLUSION: This study makes a contribution towards unveiling the relationship between healthcare and work, and thus serve as support for the development of strategies to prevent underreporting. Lastly, the results provide the basis for future public health intervention actions and for future studies.

Doação de órgãos em serviço hospitalar: principais motivos à negativa na autorização / Donación de órganos en el servicio hospitalario: principals razones para denegar la autorización / Organ donation in hospital servises: the principal reasons for authorization refusals

Objetivo: analisar os fatores limitadores à doação de órgãos e tecidos para transplantes de um serviço hospitalar. Método: estudo documental, realizado em um hospital do Paraná, Brasil. Analisou-se os "Relatórios de Óbitos e Monitoramento de Doações Mensais", compreendidos no período de janeiro a dezembro de 2016, registrados pela Comissão Intra-Hospitalar de Doação de Órgãos e Tecidos para Transplantes, por meio de estatística descritiva. Resultados: prevaleceram óbitos por parada cardiorrespiratória, tendo o doador contrário a doação em vida como motivo de não autorização. Dos 54 potenciais doadores, foi autorizada a doação de 27 (50%) indivíduos, que resultou na doação de 68 órgãos/tecidos, com destaque para córneas. Conclusão: a falta de conscientização da população que gerou a negativa na autorização da doação e o fato de que óbitos por parada cardiorrespiratória dificultaram a captação de múltiplos órgãos frente a isquemia imediata, constituíram os principais limitadores à doação de órgãos no serviço investigado.

Objective: To analyze the limiting factors for organ and tissue donation for transplantation in a hospital service. Method: documentary study, performed in a hospital in Paraná, Brazil. The "Reports of Deaths and Monthly Donation Monitoring", from January to December 2016, recorded by the Intra-Hospital Committee on Donation of Transplant Organs and Tissues, were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: deaths due to cardiopulmonary arrest prevailed, with the donor opposing the donation in life as a reason for non-authorization. Of the 54 potential donors, 27 (50%) individuals were authorized to donate, resulting in 68 organs / tissues, especially corneas. Conclusion: the lack of awareness of the population that led to the negative authorization of the donation and the fact that deaths from cardiopulmonary arrest made it difficult to capture multiple organs in the face of immediate ischemia were the main limitation of organ donation in the investigated service.

Objetivo: analizar los factores que limitan la donación de órganos y tejidos para trasplante. Método: estudio documental, realizado en un hospital de Paraná, Brasil. Los "Informes de defunciones y monitoreo mensual de donaciones", de enero a diciembre de 2016, registrados por el Comité intrahospitalario de donación de órganos y tejidos de trasplantes, se analizaron mediante estadísticas descriptivas. Resultados: prevalecieron las muertes por paro cardiopulmonar, y el donante se opuso a la donación en la vida como motivo de no autorización. De los 54 posibles donantes, 27 (50%) individuos fueron autorizados a donar, lo que resultó en 68 órganos/tejidos, especialmente córneas. Conclusión: la falta de conciencia de la población que condujo a la autorización negativa de la donación y el hecho de que las muertes por paro cardiopulmonar dificultaron la captura de múltiples órganos ante la isquemia inmediata fueron la principal limitación de la donación de órganos en el servicio investigado.