A single exposure to sub-lethal concentrations of a glyphosate-based herbicide or fluoxetine-based agent on growth performance in Nile tilapia.

The aim of the present study was to determine e whether a single acute 96 hr exposure of a glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH) to Nile tilapia fingerlings affected growth performance during the first 90 days of culture. This association was considered as GBH increases serotoninergic activity that affect fish anorexically. Although these findings were based upon chronic investigations, this study was designed to examine whether a single, acute, but excessive concentration GBH might impair growth performance in fish. In parallel, fish were also exposed to fluoxetine (FLU), a drug that selectively inhibits the reuptake of serotonin in brain synapses, leading to increased serotoninergic activity. Data demonstrated a decreased growth performance in fingerlings exposed to GBH or FLU compared to unexposed fingerlings. In fact, FLU-exposed fingerlings exhibited lower average weight and length, diminished weight gain, which resulted in lower final biomass. GBH-exposed fish, despite displaying a lower mean body weight, exhibited a biomass similar to biomass on controls. These body weight differences were noted after 30-60- and 90-day growth period in clean water. In an aquaculture context, these observed changes may be considered harmful to the production or economic performance of large-scale farming as currently practiced in tilapia farming.

Transgenerational effects of the levonorgestrel-based birth control pill in zebrafish offspring.

The consumption of hormone-derived medicines, such as levonorgestrel (LNG), is increasing worldwide, and its discharge into the environment reaches non-target organisms. In our previous study, we exposed the parental generation of zebrafish to environmentally relevant concentrations of LNG during the developmental phase. Subsequently, they had grown in a tank with clean water until adulthood. Now, we allowed this parental generation to reproduce to obtain F1 progeny unexposed to LGN, in order to analyze the transgenerational effects of parental LNG exposure on the survival and hatching of unexposed F1 embryos and the stress and behavior of F1 larvae. Here, we found decreased survival rates with higher LNG concentrations, providing a transgenerational effect. This highlights the environmental impact of exposure to LNG, causing damage at the individual and population level and affecting the next generation at the beginning of development, impacting qualities in the survival of the species.

Mixture of pesticides based on dimethylamine and imidacloprid affects locomotion of adult zebrafish.

Numerous chemical compounds are found in aquatic environments; among them are pesticides. Pesticides are widely used worldwide, and this use has progressively increased in recent decades, resulting in the accumulation of potentially toxic compounds in surface waters. Dimethylamine-based herbicides (DBH) and imidacloprid-based insecticides (IBI) have low soil absorption and high water solubility, facilitating the arrival of these compounds in aquatic environments. In this study, our objective was to analyze whether two pesticides, DBH and IBI at environmentally relevant concentrations of 320 µg/L for each compound, and their mixtures impact the behavioral and endocrine parameters of adult zebrafish, verifying the effect of pesticides on exploratory behavior and social and analyzing hormonal parameters related to stress. Acute exposure to the mixture of pesticides reduced fish locomotion. Pesticides alone and in combination did not affect cortisol levels in exposed animals. Pesticides, when tested together, can cause different effects on non-target organisms, and the evaluation of mixtures of these compounds is extremely important.

Household based-pyrethroids on adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) exert behavioral and cholinergic changes in different brain regions.

Pyrethroid-based insecticides are largely used for mosquito control. These compounds have household and agricultural applications with different formulations. Two important compounds used as household insecticides are prallethrin and transfluthrin, both from the pyrethroid chemical group. With the mode of action centered on sodium channels, pyrethroids keep the ionic sodium channels open for a long time causing the death of the insect by nervous hyperexcitability. Given the increased use of household insecticides by humans and the incidence of disease outbreaks with unknown etiology such as autism spectrum disease, schizophrenia, and Parkinson's disease we investigate some physiological inputs of these compounds on zebrafish. In this study, we evaluated the social interaction, shoaling formation, and anxiety-like behavior of zebrafish exposed chronically to transfluthrin- and prallthrin-based insecticides (T-BI and P-BI). In addition, we quantified the activity of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in different brain regions. We observed that both compounds caused anxiolytic behavior and reduced shoaling formation and social interaction. Their behavioral biomarkers indicated a harmful ecological effect on the specie as well as a possible impact of these compounds on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia (SZP). In addition, the AChE activity would change its activity in different brain regions modulating the anxiety-like behavior and social behavior in zebrafish. We conclude that P-BI and T-BI make us alert about the relationship of these compounds with nervous diseases related to cholinergic signaling.

Exposure to levonorgestrel-based birth control pill in early life and its persistent effects in zebrafish.

The consumption of progestins has increased considerably in recent decades, as has their disposal into the environment. These substances can negatively affect the reproduction, physiology, and behavior of non-target organisms, such as fish. We aimed to evaluate the effects of exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of levonorgestrel-control birth based (1.3, 13.3, 133, and 1330 ng/L) on the development and behavior of zebrafish (Danio rerio) in terms of mortality, hatching, spontaneous movement, and larval and adult behavioral tests. Exposure caused anxiogenic-like behavior in larvae, which persisted in adults, as demonstrated by the light-dark test. In contrast, it caused anxiolytic-like behavior in the novel tank test. There was a high mortality rate at all tested concentrations and increases in the hormone cortisol at 13.3 ng/L that affected the sex ratio. These changes may lead to an ecological imbalance, emphasizing the risk of early exposure to progestins in the environment.

Non-nutritive sucking evaluation in preterm newborns and the start of oral feeding: a multicenter study.

OBJECTIVES: The assessment of early sucking by preterm infants provides information on the ability of these infants to efficiently and safely receive nutrients via an oral route (oral feeding). To analyze the application and reliability of an instrument in assessing non-nutritive sucking that indicates a capacity for oral feeding in the routine care of different neonatal units. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective cohort study was conducted in seven neonatal units. A non-nutritive sucking assessment with a formulary validated by Neiva et al (2008) (variables evaluated: rooting reaction; easy initiation of sucking; labial sealing; tongue central groove; peristaltic tongue movements; jaw raising and lowering movements; labial, tongue and jaw coordination; sucking strength; sucking rhythm; bites; excessive jaw excursion; stress signals) was applied to 199 pre-term newborns, who had a chronological age ≥ 2 days and were clinically stable. These infants were divided into two groups based on their corrected gestational age at the first assessment, as follows: Group I-infants with a gestational age ≤ 33 weeks and Group II-infants with a gestational age between 34 and 36 6/7 weeks. RESULTS: The mean gestational age was 31.66±2 weeks, and the mean birth weight was 1494 ± 373 g. The mean scores on the non-nutritive sucking assessment were 46 ± 25 in Group I and 49 ± 24 in Group II. The beginning of oral feeding was successful in 43 (67.2%) infants in Group I and 64 (81%) infants in Group II (p = 0.089). CONCLUSION: The method identified preterm infants who were able to feed orally based on 33 points in the non-nutritive sucking assessment and a corrected gestational age of 32 weeks or more. The corrected gestational age was the most important factor in predicting the success of oral feeding.

Benefícios do tratamento fonoaudiológico hospitalar em pacientes em uso de via alternativa de alimentação / Benefits of hospital speech therapy in patients using alternative feeding route

Introdução: Durante a internação hospitalar, os pacientes podem sofrer alterações funcionais, como limitações na ingestão de alimentos por via oral, por isso faz-se necessário o uso de via alternativa de alimentação. O fonoaudiólogo ingressa no atendimento hospitalar em uma equipe multidisciplinar, com a finalidade de prevenir e reduzir complicações, gerenciar a deglutição de maneira segura e eficaz. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar os benefícios do tratamento fonoaudiológico aos pacientes em uso de via alternativa de alimentação. Métodos: Estudo desenvolvido em um hospital com pacientes internados nas enfermarias e Centro de Tratamento Intensivo. Analisaram-se prontuários de pacientes entre dezoito e noventa anos, em uso de via alternativa de alimentação, e classificou-se quanto ao tempo de internação, patologia de base, justificativa para o uso de via alternativa, ocorrência de pneumonia, evolução e via de alimentação na alta. A amostra dividiu-se em dois grupos, Com Acompanhamento Fonoaudiológico (CAF) e Sem Acompanhamento Fonoaudiológico (SAF). Resultados: A amostra foi composta por 288 prontuários, 32,5% com acompanhamento fonoaudiológico e 67,5% sem acompanhamento. A média de internação do grupo CAF foi maior que do grupo SAF. No CAF, 21,3% evoluíram a óbito e 78,7% tiveram alta hospitalar. No SAF, 47,4% evoluíram a óbito e 52,6% tiveram alta. No CAF, 45,7% receberam alta com via oral exclusiva, enquanto 18,6% do SAF tiveram alta com via oral exclusiva. Conclusão: O acompanhamento fonoaudiológico aumentou o tempo de internação hospitalar quando comparados os grupos, porém evidenciou uma diminuição do percentual de óbitos e aumentou a alta hospitalar com via oral exclusiva (AU)

Introduction: During hospitalization, patients may suffer functional changes, such as limitations in oral food intake, which demand the use of an alternative feeding route. The speech therapist enters the hospital's care in a multidisciplinary team, in order to prevent and reduce complications, to manage swallowing safely and effectively. The aim of this study was to determine the benefits of speech therapy for patients using an alternative feeding route. Methods: A study developed in a hospital with inpatients in the wards and Intensive Care Unit. Medical charts of patients between 18 and 90 years old using alternative feeding route were analyzed and classified as for time of hospitalization, baseline pathology, justification for the use of alternative route, pneumonia, evolution, and feeding route at discharge. The sample was divided in two groups, one with speech therapy (WST) and the other with no speech therapy (NST) follow up. Results: The sample consisted of 288 charts, 32.5% with speech therapy and 67.5% without it. The mean hospitalization rate in the WST group was higher than in the NST group. In the WST, 21.3% patients died and 78.7% were discharged from hospital. In the NST, 47.4% patients died and 52.6% were discharged. In the WST, 45.7% were discharged with exclusive oral route, while 18.6% of the NST were discharged with exclusive oral route. Conclusion: Speech therapy increased hospitalization time when the groups were compared, but it evidenced a decrease in the percentage of deaths and increased hospital discharge with exclusive oral route (AU)

Non-nutritive sucking evaluation in preterm newborns and the start of oral feeding: a multicenter study

OBJECTIVES: The assessment of early sucking by preterm infants provides information on the ability of these infants to efficiently and safely receive nutrients via an oral route (oral feeding). To analyze the application and reliability of an instrument in assessing non-nutritive sucking that indicates a capacity for oral feeding in the routine care of different neonatal units. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective cohort study was conducted in seven neonatal units. A non-nutritive sucking assessment with a formulary validated by Neiva et al (2008) (variables evaluated: rooting reaction; easy initiation of sucking; labial sealing; tongue central groove; peristaltic tongue movements; jaw raising and lowering movements; labial, tongue and jaw coordination; sucking strength; sucking rhythm; bites; excessive jaw excursion; stress signals) was applied to 199 pre-term newborns, who had a chronological age ≥ 2 days and were clinically stable. These infants were divided into two groups based on their corrected gestational age at the first assessment, as follows: Group I-infants with a gestational age ≤ 33 weeks and Group II-infants with a gestational age between 34 and 36 6/7 weeks. RESULTS: The mean gestational age was 31.66±2 weeks, and the mean birth weight was 1494 ± 373 g. The mean scores on the non-nutritive sucking assessment were 46 ± 25 in Group I and 49 ± 24 in Group II. The beginning of oral feeding was successful in 43 (67.2%) infants in Group I and 64 (81%) infants in Group II (p = 0.089). CONCLUSION: The method identified preterm infants who were able to feed orally based on 33 points in the non-nutritive sucking assessment and a corrected gestational age of 32 weeks or more. The corrected gestational age was the most important factor in predicting the success of oral feeding. .