Follow-up of the air pollution and the human male-to-female ratio analysis in São Paulo, Brazil: a times series study

Objectives in order to assess if ambient air pollution in urban areas could be related to alterations in male/female ratio this study objectives to evaluate changes in ambient particulate matter (PM10) concentrations after implementation of pollution control programmes in São Paulo city and the secondary sex ratio (SRR).Design and methods A time series study was conducted. São Paulo's districts were stratified according to the PM10 concentrations levels and were used as a marker of overall air pollution. the male ratio was chosen to represent the secondary sex ratio (SSR=total male birth/total births). the SSR data from each area was analysed according to the time variation and PM10 concentration areas using descriptive statistics. the strength association between annual average of PM10 concentration and SSR was performed through exponential regression, and it was adopted as a statistical significance level of p<0.05.Results the exponential regression showed a negative and significant association between PM10 and SSR. SSR varied from 51.4% to 50.7% in São Paulo in the analysed period (2000-2007). Considering the PM10 average concentration in São Paulo city of 44.72g/m(3) in the study period, the SSR decline reached almost 4.37%, equivalent to 30934 less male births.Conclusions Ambient levels of PM10 are negatively associated with changes in the SSR. Therefore, we can speculate that higher levels of particulate pollution could be related to increased rates of female births.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Universidade Federal de São Paulo UNIFESP, ICAQF, Dept Ciencias Exatas & Terra, São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Sch Med, Dept Pathol, Lab Expt Air Pollut LIM05, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo UNIFESP, ICAQF, Dept Ciencias Exatas & Terra, São Paulo, BrazilCNPq: 573813/2008-5: FAPESP - 2008/57717-6Web of Scienc

Microplastics in the Olfactory Bulb of the Human Brain

Importance Microplastic (MP) pollution is an emerging environmental and health concern. While MPs have been detected in various human tissues, their presence in the human brain has not been documented, raising important questions about potential neurotoxic effects and the mechanisms by which MPs might reach brain tissues. Objective To determine the presence of MPs in the human olfactory bulb and to analyze their characteristics such as size, morphology, color, and polymeric composition. Design, Setting, and Participants This case series study used a cross-sectional design involving the analysis of olfactory bulb tissues obtained from deceased individuals during routine coroner autopsies. The sampling procedures were conducted at São Paulo City Death Verification Service, with laboratory analysis carried out at the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS). Participants included 15 adult individuals who had been residents of São Paulo for more than 5 years and underwent coroner autopsies. Exclusion criteria included previous neurosurgical interventions. Data analysis was performed in April 2024. Exposure The primary exposure assessed was the presence of MPs in the olfactory bulb, analyzed through direct tissue examination and digested tissue filtration followed by micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcomes were the identification and characterization of MPs within the olfactory bulb, including their size, morphology, color, and polymeric composition. Results The median age of the 15 deceased individuals was 69.5 years, ranging from 33 to 100 years, with 12 males and 3 females. MPs were detected in the olfactory bulbs of 8 out of 15 individuals. A total of 16 synthetic polymer particles and fibers were identified, with 75% being particles and 25% being fibers. The most common polymer detected was polypropylene (43.8%). Sizes of MPs ranged from 5.5 μm to 26.4 μm for particles, and the mean fiber length was 21.4 μm. Polymeric materials were absent in procedural blank and negative control filters, indicating minimal contamination risk. Conclusions and Relevance This case series provides evidence of MPs found in the human olfactory bulb, suggesting a potential pathway for the translocation of MPs to the brain. The findings underscore the need for further research on the health implications of MP exposure, particularly concerning neurotoxicity and the potential for MPs to bypass the blood-brain barrier

Risk factors, biochemical markers, and genetic polymorphisms in early coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVE: To assess the risk factors, lipid and apolipoprotein profile, hemostasis variables, and polymorphisms of the apolipoprotein AI-CIII gene in early coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: Case-control study with 112 patients in each group controlled by sex and age. After clinical evaluation and nutritional instruction, blood samples were collected for biochemical assays and genetic study. RESULTS: Familial history of early CAD (64 vs 39%), arterial hypertension (69 vs 36%), diabetes mellitus (25 vs 3%), and previous smoking (71 vs 46%) were more prevalent in the case group (p<0.001). Hypertension and diabetes were independent risk factors. Early CAD was characterized by higher serum levels of total cholesterol (235 ± 6 vs 209 ± 4 mg/dL), of LDL-c (154 ± 5 vs 135 ± 4 mg/dL), triglycerides (205 ± 12 vs 143 ± 9 mg/dL), and apolipoprotein B (129 ± 3 vs 105 ± 3 mg/dL), and lower serum levels of HDL-c (40 ± 1 vs 46 ± 1 mg/dL) and apolipoprotein AI (134 ± 2 vs 146 ± 2mg/dL) [p<0.01], in addition to an elevation in fibrinogen and D-dimer (p<0.02). The simultaneous presence of the rare alleles of the APO AI-CIII genes in early CAD are associated with hypertriglyceridemia (p=0.03). CONCLUSION: Of the classical risk factors, hypertension and diabetes mellitus were independently associated with early CAD. In addition to an unfavorable lipid profile, an increase in the thrombotic risk was identified in this population. An additive effect of the APO AI-CIII genes was observed in triglyceride levels.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) EPMUNIFESP, EPMSciEL

Multi-messenger observations of a binary neutron star merger

On 2017 August 17 a binary neutron star coalescence candidate (later designated GW170817) with merger time 12:41:04 UTC was observed through gravitational waves by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors. The Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor independently detected a gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) with a time delay of ~1.7 s with respect to the merger time. From the gravitational-wave signal, the source was initially localized to a sky region of 31 deg2 at a luminosity distance of 40+8-8 Mpc and with component masses consistent with neutron stars. The component masses were later measured to be in the range 0.86 to 2.26 Mo. An extensive observing campaign was launched across the electromagnetic spectrum leading to the discovery of a bright optical transient (SSS17a, now with the IAU identification of AT 2017gfo) in NGC 4993 (at ~40 Mpc) less than 11 hours after the merger by the One- Meter, Two Hemisphere (1M2H) team using the 1 m Swope Telescope. The optical transient was independently detected by multiple teams within an hour. Subsequent observations targeted the object and its environment. Early ultraviolet observations revealed a blue transient that faded within 48 hours. Optical and infrared observations showed a redward evolution over ~10 days. Following early non-detections, X-ray and radio emission were discovered at the transient’s position ~9 and ~16 days, respectively, after the merger. Both the X-ray and radio emission likely arise from a physical process that is distinct from the one that generates the UV/optical/near-infrared emission. No ultra-high-energy gamma-rays and no neutrino candidates consistent with the source were found in follow-up searches. These observations support the hypothesis that GW170817 was produced by the merger of two neutron stars in NGC4993 followed by a short gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) and a kilonova/macronova powered by the radioactive decay of r-process nuclei synthesized in the ejecta

Atmospheric sources of trace element contamination in cultivated urban areas: A review

Producing food in cities has garnered increasing attention over the past decade. Although there are ecological and social benefits, cultivated urban areas (CUAs) also bear contamination hazards, including from trace elements (TEs). Trace element contamination has been studied extensively in CUAs, but atmospheric sources remain understudied and poorly understood. A brief discussion is offered on atmospheric particulate deposition processes in cities and their implications for urban food production. Available findings are discussed and contrasted. Existing research assesses atmospheric deposition indirectly or otherwise lacks controls for other TE contaminants. There is little to no engagement with methodological guidelines from the atmospheric sciences, which reduces confidence in the findings so far attained. Suggestions are delineated to combine techniques used in the atmospheric sciences with the robust methodologies already generated by studies on TE contamination in CUAs, such as isotope and TE ratios analyses

Influence of Air Pollution and Soil Contamination on the Contents of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Vegetables Grown in Urban Gardens of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Urban community gardens (UCGs) have become prevalent worldwide and play a significant role in strengthening the sustainability of urban food systems. Although UCGs provide multiple benefits to society, the extent to which vegetables grown in them are contaminated by chemical compounds derived from airborne fallout or soil contamination is unclear. We evaluated the influence of both air pollution and the contamination of garden soil beds on the contents of 16 PAHs in the edible tissues of spinach and collard green. The PAH contents were quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS-EI). The concentrations of PAHs in both the vegetables grown in the vessels and in the soil of the UCGs were &lt;0.1 μg kg−1. The total concentrations of the 16 priority PAHs in the soil beds ranged from 132.94 to 410.50 μg kg−1. These levels were lower than those that have been reported from other urban areas. Principal Component Analysis resulted in two components indicating that traffic-derived emissions are the main sources of PAHs in the soil. The first component represented the compounds with higher molecular weights and had a moderate loading for the fine fraction of the soil (clay) (0.63). The second component showed a high loading for silt (0.97), including those PAHs with lower molecular weights. Our data show that spinach and collard greens do not accumulate significant PAH concentrations on their leaves over 45-day periods, whether they are raised in controlled soil or in local beds

Urban Agriculture and the Battle for History in Melbourne and São Paulo

This edited collection explores urban food democracy as part of a broader policy-based approach to sustainable urban development. Conceptually, governance and social justice provide the analytical framework for a varied array of contributions which critically address issues including urban agriculture, smart cities, human health and wellbeing and urban biodiversity. Some chapters take the form of thematic, issue-based discussions, where others are constituted by empirical case studies. Contributing authors include both academic experts and practitioners who hail from a wide range of disciplines, professions and nations. All offer original research and robust consideration of urban food democracy in cities from across the Global North and South. Taken as a whole, this book makes a significant contribution to understanding the potential enabling role of good urban governance in developing formal urban food policy that is economically and socially responsive and in tune with forms of community-driven adaptation of space for the local production, distribution and consumption of nutritious food

Enhancing urban waste sustainability through community-driven composting in São Paulo megacity

This study addresses the challenge of municipal solid waste management in urban environments, focusing on the case of São Paulo, Brazil. It introduces a community-based, decentralized composting initiative taking place in this city. The initiative began in 2018 by local residents in the city's western region. Community composting took place in public squares using the ''Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina method,'' involving thermophilic decomposition through passive static aeration. Weekly meetings attracted an average of 31 participants from 2018 to 2021. Participants were requested to bring food residues and garden prunings. To construct the compost pile, a layer of straw and thin branches or grass clippings was added to the outer perimeter to create a wall, with weekly feedings during community gatherings for this purpose. This process was repeated weekly until the piles reached a height of around 1.5 m. The compost maturation process was monitored periodically by observing the visual aspect, absence of odors, and temperature. The temperature decreased from approximately 60 °C for a fresh pile to 30 °C when mature, typically after five months. Physico-chemical properties of six piles containing mature compost were analyzed. In the period 2018–2021 over 20 tons of organic waste were composted, resulting in a reduction of approximately 27,662 pounds of CO2 emissions. The compost produced conforms to agricultural standards, with desirable physical and chemical properties, including an acceptable C/N ratio, pH levels, organic matter content, and nutrient concentrations. Heavy metal analyses indicated that the compost's elemental concentrations were well below established limits, ensuring its safety for agricultural use. During the period from 2018 to 2021, more than 20 tons of organic waste underwent composting, leading to a decrease of approximately 27,662 pounds of CO2 emissions. The resulting compost meets agricultural standards, exhibiting favorable physical and chemical characteristics, such as an acceptable C/N ratio, pH levels, organic matter content, and nutrient concentrations. Heavy metals analysis revealed that the elemental concentrations in the compost were significantly below established limits, guaranteeing its safety for agricultural applications. This urban community-driven composting model exemplifies an innovative approach to local waste management, emphasizing citizen engagement, sustainability, and the creation of shared spaces, thereby presenting a viable solution to urban organic waste challenges in São Paulo and beyond