Lung function among residents from the largest coal region in Brazil.

Coal mining and burning activities in coal-fired power plants are among the most polluting activities in developing countries. In Brazil, the Candiota coal deposit concentrates 40% of the national mineral coal. Although, previous studies indicate several negative health outcomes to residents of this coal region, there is no information about lung function. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate lung function by spirometry among residents from the largest coal mining region of Brazil and its related factors. It was carried out a cross-sectional study with 300 male adults residing in four cities from this region. Socioeconomic, demographic, life style, and health conditions were collected through a structured questionnaire, and lung function was assessed by spirometry. Almost 18% of the residents have disorders in pulmonary function. There was significant statistical difference in the spirometry main parameters between the cities. Candiota city (host city of coal exploration activities) have the highest prevalence of obstructive ventilatory disorder. Curiously, upper economic class had significant higher risk of altered lung function (P<0.001), as well as inappropriate sewage destination (P<0.001). Residents of Candiota city had 20% higher risk of altered lung function. Regarding air quality, the PM10, SO2, and NO2 of the region were 20.6± 3.9, 7.0± 2.2, and 6.0± 1.6, respectively. Two air quality stations exceed the limit of 20 µg/m3 to PM10 proposed by Brazilian legislation and WHO, and three stations had PM10 quite close to the limit. This study points out the need for urgent action to protect residents from this coal mining region.

Bioassays for the evaluation of reclaimed opencast coal mining areas.

This study aimed to use bioassays (single and multispecies) with organisms from different trophic levels to assess soil quality in reclaimed coal mining areas. Soil samples were collected from four sites: two sites with recent reclaim processes (one using topsoil and other using clayey soil), an natural attenuation site, and a control soil. The evaluated parameters were divided into (1) ecotoxicological tests (avoidance test with Eisenia andrei (earthworms) and Armadillidium vulgare (isopods); germination test with Sinapis alba seeds (mustard); reproduction tests with Folsomia candida (collembolans); bacterial toxicity test); (2) population and community assessments (a fungal count; microbial community analysis using Biolog EcoPlatesTM); (3) microcosms scale evaluation (the MS-3 multispecies system); and (4) chemical analysis (soil parameters, soil metal, and cations and anions in soil leachate). Results pointed to toxicity in the natural attenuation site that compromised of habitat function, probably due to low pH and low nutrient levels. The most recent reclaim process, using topsoil and clay soil, improved soil quality and fertility, with a further increase in habitat quality and heterogeneity. This study shows that some techniques used to reclaim degraded mining areas are effective in rebuilding habitats, sustaining soil biota, and reestablishing ecosystem services.

Interactions between anandamide-induced anterograde amnesia and post-training memory modulatory systems.

Rats were bilaterally implanted with indwelling cannulae in the CA1 region of the dorsal hippocampus. After recovery from surgery, they were trained in a one-trial, step-down inhibitory avoidance task using a 0.5 mA foot shock. The animals received intrahippocampal infusions of either vehicle or anandamide (100 microM, 0.5 microl/side) 30 min before training. Then, either immediately post-training or 3 h later, they received infusions of saline, noradrenaline (0.5 microg/side), SKF 38393 (1.5 microg/side), oxotremorine (0.6 microg/side) or Sp-cAMPs (0.5 microg/side) also in the hippocampus. All animals were tested for retention 24-h post-training. Anandamide produced anterograde amnesia. Immediate, but not delayed, post-training treatment with Sp-cAMPs and noradrenaline reversed this effect. SKF 38393 and oxotremorine had no influence on the amnesia caused by anandamide either when given immediately or 3 h after training. The results suggest that the amnesic effect of anandamide is related to the known noradrenergic regulation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) activity previously described in the hippocampus immediately after avoidance training, which is crucial to long-term memory (LTM) formation.

Endothelium-dependent vasorelaxing activity of aqueous extracts of lyophilized seeds of Casimiroa edulis (AECe) on rat mesenteric arterial bed.

The vasorelaxing activity of the aqueous extracts of Casimiroa edulis seeds F(AECe) on mesenteric arterial bed (MAB) of rats was studied. MAB precontracted with methoxamine was mounted on a tissue bath and exposed to plant extracts (bolus 50, 500, 2500 and 5000 microg). The bolus injections of AECe significantly inhibited, in a concentration-dependent manner, the maximal contractile response induced by methoxamine (30 microm) in MAB. After endothelium removal, the vascular ability of Casimiroa edulis aqueous extract was significantly changed. Treatment with an inhibitor of NO synthase (L-NOA, 10 microM) also modified the AECe effect. The guanilate cyclase inhibitor methylene blue (MB, 100 microM) inhibited the AECe-induced vasodilatation. These results suggest the involvement of NO of endothelial source (or related factors) in this vasodilator effect.

A invisibilidade da violência psicológica pelos profissionais de saúde / The invisibility of psychological violence by health professionals

Introduction:Domestic violence is a social and public health problem and its rates are currently increasing. It is present in all social classes, ethnicities and educational levels.Objective:To analyse the actions done by health professionals who work in Basic Health Units (BHUs) to recognise cases of psychological violence against children.Methods:This is a qualitative, descriptive and exploratory study. It used an analysis of the thematic data content. Interviews were conducted with 24 professionals working in BHUs in a city in southern Brazil.Results: It was observed that physical symptoms are prioritised and there is an underestimation of mental health issues, especially those relating to psychological violence.Conclusions: It was identified that professionals from the BHUs cannot intervene effectively because of the difficulty in identifying cases of domestic violence and their lack of training for dealing with cases of violence against children.

INTRODUÇÃO: A violência intrafamiliar é um problema social e de saúde pública e, atualmente, tem seus índices aumentados. Encontra-se presente em todas as classes sociais, étnicas ou grau de escolaridade MÉTODO: Este trabalho é uma pesquisa qualitativa, descritiva e exploratória. Foi utilizada a análise de conteúdo temática dos dados. Realizou-se entrevistas com 24 profissionais que trabalham em UBSFs, em um município do sul do Brasil RESULTADOS: Observou-se que os sintomas físicos são priorizados e ocorre a subestimação da saúde mental, principalmente da violência psicológica. : Identificou-se que os profissionais das UBSFs não conseguem intervir de maneira eficaz, devido a dificuldade na identificação dos casos de violência intrafamiliar e da ausência de capacitação para atuar nos casos de violência contra a criança

Participation of nitric oxide in the color change induced by UV radiation in the crab Chasmagnathus granulatus.

The ability of UV radiation to stimulate color change in vertebrates is well known; however, the signaling pathway involved is not fully explained. Since nitric oxide (NO) is among the candidates for this role, in this study the participation of NO signaling in the pigment migration induced by UV radiation in melanophores of the crab Chasmagnathus granulatus was investigated. When the NO donor, SIN-1, was incubated with pieces of epidermis, there was an induction of a dose-dependent pigment dispersion (in vitro assays). When male adults were exposed to different doses of UVA and UVB, N(G)-nitro-l-arginine-methyl-ester, an NO synthase (NOS) blocker produced a decrease of the pigment dispersion induced by UV (in vivo assays). However, in similar assays, 2-phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide, an NO scavenger, decreased only the pigment dispersion induced by UVA. Interestingly, buthionine sulfoximine did not produce any change in pigment dispersion induced by UVA (in vivo assays) and SIN-1 (in vitro assays). Our results using NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry and immunocytochemistry against nNOS indicated the production of NO by epidermal cells. In conclusion, we suggest that NO is a key molecule for the induction of pigment dispersion in the melanophores of Chasmagnthus granulatus, and also that NOS activation is a fundamental step for this process.

Caracterização química de pescados empregados para tratamento de asma brônquica na Região Sul do Rio Grande do Sul / Chemical characterization of fish species employed to Asthma treatment southern region of Rio Grande do Sul

Visando agregar conhecimento científico á cultura popular e disponibilizar informações sobre pescados disponíveis no litoral sul do Rio Grande do Sul, o presente trabalho teve por objetivo caracterizar quimicamente duas espécies de pescado, Balistes capriscus (peixe-porco) e Meticirrhus littoralis (papa-terra), aos quais a população da região Sul do Rio Grande do Sul atribui propriedades farmacológicas. Os pescados foram coletados junto à empresas e no entreposto pesqueiro da cidade do Rio Grande, RS. Para a caracterização físico-química foram separadas a porção comestível (músculo) e a pele das duas espécies. A composição química foi determinada por métodos da AOAC International (2000), exceto os lipídios que foram quantificados de acordo com método de Bligh e Dyer (1959). Os fosfolipídios foram determinados na fração lipídica por espectrofotometria segundo metodologia padrão alemã descrita por Esteves, Gonçalves e Barrera-Arellano (1995) adaptada para lipídios de pescado. O músculo e pele do peixe-porco e papa-terra apresentaram, respectivamente, média de 78,5 e 71,5; 80 e 75,5 de umidade; 1,4 e 11; 1,2 e 0,8 de cinzas; 18,8 e 16,7; 17,6 e 18,5 de proteína; 0,77 e 0,5; 0,82 e 7 de lipídios. Os valores de fosfolipídios obtidos foram de 17,2 mg.g-1 de LT (lipídios totais) e 11,3 mg.g-1 de LT para músculo e pele do peixe porco; 5,8 mg.g-1LT e 2,04 mg.g-1 de LT para músculo e pele do papa-terra. As relações de fosfolipídios/gordura nos músculos das duas espécies se mostraram semelhantes as mencionados para outros pescados citados na literatura. No entanto, na pele de peixe porco o teor de fosfolipídio é aproximadamente 5 vezes maior que na pele de papa-terra

Intenting to add scientic knowledge to popular culture and about fish species available in South Coastof Rio Grande do Sul, the objective of this paper was chemical characterization of two fishes species,Balistes capriscus (peixe-porco) and Meticirrhus littoralis (papa-terra) that the local population believesin its pharmacologic properties to asthma treatment. The fishes were collected in industries and in thepublic market of the city. The edible part(muscle) were separated from the skin, so characterized. Thechemical composition was determined by methods AOAC International (2000), except the lipids thatwere quantified by method Bligh and Dyer (1959). The phospholipids were determined in the lipidsfraction by spectrophotometry in according to German standard methodology described by Esteves,Gonçalves e Barrera-Arellano (1995) adapted to fish lipids. The muscle and skin of thepeixe porco andpapa-terrapresented, respectively, average of 78,5 and 71,5; 80 and 75.5% of humidity; 1,4 and 11; 1,2and 0.8% of ash; 18,8 and 16,7; 17,6 and 18.5% of protein; 0,77 and 0,5; 0,82 and 7% of lipids. Thephospholipids values obtained were 17,2 mg. g-1 of LT (total lipids) and 11,3 mg.g-1 of TL for muscle andskin of the peixe porco and 5,8 mg. g-1 TL and 2,04 mg. g-1 of TL for muscle and skin of the papa-terra. Therelations of phospholipids/total lipids in the muscle and skin from the two species were like the othersmarine species cited by the literature . However in the skin of peixe-porco the level of phospolipids isupper five that in skin of papa-terra

Estudos farmacológicos preliminares dos extratos da Casearia sylvestris Swartz / Preliminary pharmacological studies of Casearia Sylvestris Swartz extracts

O "chá de bugre", Casearia sylvestris Swartz tem sido, popularmente, usado com várias finalidades. Mais recentemente lhe tem sido atribuído características abortivas. Essa possibilidade levou-nos a avaliar a toxicidade dos extratos brutos de suas folhas, e os efeitos no útero, sobre a motilidade espontânea e as contraçöes induzidas pela ocitocina. A dose letal média do extrato aquoso a quente é de 1,792g de resíduo, por quilo de peso, para camundongos albinos. Com a soluçäo aquosa do extrato etanólico observamos, "in vitro", na motilidade espontânea uterina de ratas, aumento da freqüência de contraçäo e do tônus basal e diminuiçäo da amplitude de contraçäo; na curva dose-reposta à ocitocina, diminuiçäo da resposta máxima e aumento da dose efetiva média. O extrato aquoso a frio produziu, na motilidade espontânea uterina, aumento de todos os parâmetros observados; na curva dose-resposta à ocitocina, também aumentou a resposta máxima, diminuindo, entretanto, sua dose efetiva média. Os resultados sugerem que os extratos de folhas de C. sylvestris säo capazes de modificar a atividiade uterina, "in vitro". Esses dados poderiam explicar o uso obortivo