The tailings dam failure of 5 November 2015 in SE Brazil and its preceding seismic sequence

The collapse of a mine tailings dam and subsequent flood in SE Brazil on 5 November 2015 was preceded by a small-magnitude seismic sequence. In this report, we explore the spatiotemporal associations between the seismic events and the accident and discuss their possible connection. We also analyze the signals generated by the turbulent mudflow, as recorded by the Brazilian Seismographic Network (RSBR). In light of our observations, we propose as possible contributing factor for the dam collapse either ground shaking and/or soil liquefaction triggered by the earthquakes. The possibility of such a small-magnitude earthquake contributing to the collapse of a tailings dam raises important concerns regarding safety and related legislation of dams in Brazil and the world. ©2016. American Geophysical Union.H.A.D. and M.A. acknowledge support from Sao Paulo Research Foundation FAPESP grant 2014/09455-3 and CNPq grant 30.6547/2013-9.Peer reviewe

Neuromuscular activity of bothrops fonsecai snake venom in vertebrate preparations

CAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORCNPQ – CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOThe neuromuscular activity of venom from Bothrops fonsecai, a lancehead endemic to southeastern Brazil, was investigated. Chick biventer cervicis (CBC) and mouse phrenic nerve-diaphragm (PND) preparations were used for myographic recordings and mouse diaphragm muscle was used for membrane resting potential (RP) and miniature end-plate potential (MEPP) recordings. Creatine kinase release and muscle damage were also assessed. In CBC, venom (40, 80 and 160μg/ml) produced concentration- and time-dependent neuromuscular blockade (50% blockade in 85±9 min and 73±8 min with 80 and 160μg/ml, respectively) and attenuated the contractures to 110μM ACh (78-100% inhibition) and 40mM KCl (45-90% inhibition). The venom-induced decrease in twitch-tension in curarized, directly-stimulated preparations was similar to that in indirectly stimulated preparations. Venom (100 and 200μg/ml) also caused blockade in PND preparations (50% blockade in 94±13 min and 49±8 min with 100 and 200μg/ml, respectively) but did not alter the RP or MEPP amplitude. In CBC, venom caused creatine kinase release and myonecrosis. The venom-induced decrease in twitch-tension and in the contractures to ACh and K(+) were abolished by preincubating venom with commercial antivenom. These findings indicate that Bothrops fonsecai venom interferes with neuromuscular transmission essentially through postsynaptic muscle damage that affects responses to ACh and KCl. These actions are effectively prevented by commercial antivenom.The neuromuscular activity of venom from Bothrops fonsecai, a lancehead endemic to southeastern Brazil, was investigated. Chick biventer cervicis (CBC) and mouse phrenic nerve-diaphragm (PND) preparations were used for myographic recordings and mouse diaphragm muscle was used for membrane resting potential (RP) and miniature end-plate potential (MEPP) recordings. Creatine kinase release and muscle damage were also assessed. In CBC, venom (40, 80 and 160mg/ml) produced concentration- and time-dependent neuromuscular blockade (50% blockade in 85±9 min and 73±8 min with 80 and 160mg/ml, respectively) and attenuated the contractures to 110mM ACh (78–100% inhibition) and 40mM KCl (45–90% inhibition). The venom-induced decrease in twitch-tension in curarized, directly-stimulated preparations was similar to that in indirectly stimulated preparations. Venom (100 and 200mg/ml) also caused blockade in PND preparations (50% blockade in 94±13 min and 49±8 min with 100 and 200mg/ml, respectively) but did not alter the RP or MEPP amplitude. In CBC, venom caused creatine kinase release and myonecrosis. The venom-induced decrease in twitch-tension and in the contractures to ACh and K+ were abolished by preincubating venom with commercial antivenom.These findings indicate that Bothrops fonsecai venom interferes with neuromuscular transmission essentially through postsynaptic muscle damage that affects responses to ACh and KCl. These actions are effectively prevented by commercial antivenom5615CAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORCNPQ – CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOCAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORCNPQ – CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOsem informaçãosem informaçã

Exploring social and health care representations about home birth: an integrative literature review

Aims: exploring social and health care representations of home birth by conducting an integrative review of the literature. Design: Integrative Literature Review. Data sources: the search was based on the following keywords: 'birth, home,' 'home birth,' 'childbirth, home.' And the terms: 'planned home birth,' and 'empowerment women homebirth' (in English). 'partos en casa,' and 'partos domiciliarios' (in Spanish) in the following databases: Biomedical Central, Cochrane Library, Dialnet, DOAJ, Lilacs, PubMed, Scopus, Scielo, and Web of Science. Review methods: a total of 156 publications dated between 2004 and 2017 were initially obtained and a total of 41 articles were finally selected according to the criteria of inclusion, methodological rigor, and researchers' triangulation. Results: four dimensions of the issue emerged out of the 41 articles analyzed: (a) the Dimension of 'Empowerment in Childbirth;' (b) the Dimension of 'Comparative Socio-Medical Childbirth Studies;' (c) the 'Institutional Dimension of Childbirth;' (d) the 'Cultural Dimension of Childbirth.' Conclusion: from the health management perspective, home birth is not widely accepted today as a valid and safe alternative. However, women's social representations indicate an interest in returning to birth at home as a response to the excessive medicalization and institutionalization of childbirth, and value highly its autonomy and comfort

Exploring and understanding the functional role, and biochemical and structural characteristics of an acidic phospholipase A(2), ApITx-I, purified from Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma snake venom

CAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPERO - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO AO DESENVOLVIMENTO DAS AÇÕES CIENTÍFICAS E TECNOLÓGICAS E A PESQUISAPhospholipases A(2) (PLA(2)s) constitute a class of extensively studied toxins, isolated from snake venoms. Basic PLA(2) isoforms mediate various toxicological effects, while the acidic isoforms generally have higher enzymatic activities, but do not promote evident toxic effects. The functions of these acidic isoforms in snake venoms are still not completely understood and more studies are needed to characterize the biological functions and diversification of acidic toxins in order to justify their abundant presence in these secretions. Recently, Lomonte and collaborators demonstrated, in a proteomic and toxicological study, high concentrations of PLA(2)s in the venom of Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma. We have, herein, purified and characterized an acidic PLA(2) from this snake venom, denominated Ap1Tx-I, in order to better understand its biochemical and structural characteristics, as well as its biological effects. ApITx-I was purified using two chromatographic steps, in association with enzymatic and biological assays. The acidic toxin was found to be one of the most abundant proteins in the venom of A. p. leucostoma; the protein was monomeric with a molecular mass of 13,885.8 Da, as identified by mass spectrometry ESI-TOF and electrophoresis. The toxin has similar primary and tridimensional structures to those of other acidic PLA(2)s, a theoretical and experimental isoelectric point of approximate to 5.12, and a calcium-dependent enzyme activity of 25.8985 nMiminimg, with maximum values at 37 degrees C and pH 8.0. Despite its high enzymatic activity on synthetic substrate, Ap1Tx-I did not induce high or significant myotoxic, coagulant, anticoagulant, edema, neuromuscular toxicity in mouse phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparations or antibacterial activities. Interestingly, Ap1Tx-I triggered a high and selective neuromuscular toxicity in chick biventer cervicis preparations. These findings are relevant to provide a deeper understanding of the pharmacology, role and diversification of acidic phospholipase A(2) isoforms in snake venoms. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Phospholipases A(2) (PLA(2)s) constitute a class of extensively studied toxins, isolated from snake venoms. Basic PLA(2) isoforms mediate various toxicological effects, while the acidic isoforms generally have higher enzymatic activities, but do not promote evident toxic effects. The functions of these acidic isoforms in snake venoms are still not completely understood and more studies are needed to characterize the biological functions and diversification of acidic toxins in order to justify their abundant presence in these secretions. Recently, Lomonte and collaborators demonstrated, in a proteomic and toxicological study, high concentrations of PLA(2)s in the venom of Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma. We have, herein, purified and characterized an acidic PLA(2) from this snake venom, denominated Ap1Tx-I, in order to better understand its biochemical and structural characteristics, as well as its biological effects. ApITx-I was purified using two chromatographic steps, in association with enzymatic and biological assays. The acidic toxin was found to be one of the most abundant proteins in the venom of A. p. leucostoma; the protein was monomeric with a molecular mass of 13,885.8 Da, as identified by mass spectrometry ESI-TOF and electrophoresis. The toxin has similar primary and tridimensional structures to those of other acidic PLA(2)s, a theoretical and experimental isoelectric point of approximate to 5.12, and a calcium-dependent enzyme activity of 25.8985 nMiminimg, with maximum values at 37 degrees C and pH 8.0. Despite its high enzymatic activity on synthetic substrate, Ap1Tx-I did not induce high or significant myotoxic, coagulant, anticoagulant, edema, neuromuscular toxicity in mouse phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparations or antibacterial activities. Interestingly, Ap1Tx-I triggered a high and selective neuromuscular toxicity in chick biventer cervicis preparations. These findings are relevant to provide a deeper understanding of the pharmacology, role and diversification of acidic phospholipase A(2) isoforms in snake venoms1272236CAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPERO - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO AO DESENVOLVIMENTO DAS AÇÕES CIENTÍFICAS E TECNOLÓGICAS E A PESQUISACAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPERO - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO AO DESENVOLVIMENTO DAS AÇÕES CIENTÍFICAS E TECNOLÓGICAS E A PESQUISAsem informaçãosem informaçãosem informaçã

Corrigendum to "Exploring and understanding the functional role, and biochemical and structural characteristics of an acidic phospholipase A(2), ApITx-I, purified from Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma snake venom" [Toxicon 127 (2017) 22-36]

CAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPERO - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO AO DESENVOLVIMENTO DAS AÇÕES CIENTÍFICAS E TECNOLÓGICAS E A PESQUISA1286161CAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPERO - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO AO DESENVOLVIMENTO DAS AÇÕES CIENTÍFICAS E TECNOLÓGICAS E A PESQUISACAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPERO - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO AO DESENVOLVIMENTO DAS AÇÕES CIENTÍFICAS E TECNOLÓGICAS E A PESQUISAsem informaçãosem informaçãosem informaçã

Investigação teórica do processo de redução de coliformes em leitos cultivados Theoretical investigation of coliform reduction in constructed wetland

Este artigo mostra a continuidade da pesquisa sugerida por Amendola et al. (2003), para o caso em que se quer buscar maior precisão na investigação teórica do processo de redução de poluentes, em função do meio suporte usado em sistemas de leitos cultivados. Esta investigação se dá via modelagem matemática e simulação numérica do processo descrito por uma equação diferencial parcial de difusão-advecção, que envolve constantes que caracterizam o meio suporte (Moreno-Grau, 1996) e deve ser associada a condições iniciais e de contorno, estabelecidas de acordo com um procedimento experimental previamente realizado. Para resolução da equação implementa-se um algoritmo baseado no esquema implícito do método de diferenças finitas que, executado no MATLAB 6.1, gera valores da concentração dos poluentes que dependem dos valores das referidas constantes. Os resultados obtidos da simulação são comparados com valores de referência para a determinação do valor do coeficiente de dispersão longitudinal que, por sua vez, gera o menor resíduo para cada tipo de meio suporte do leito cultivado. Os resultados obtidos levam à conclusão de que o leito cultivado com brita e pneu picado é mais eficiente que aquele só com brita na remoção de coliformes fecais e totais.<br>This paper shows the continuity of the research, as suggested by Amendola et al. (2003), when looking for better accuracy in the theoretical investigation of the pollutant reduction as a function of the support bed used in constructed wetland. This investigation is performed through the mathematical modeling and numerical simulation of the process, which is described by an advection-diffusion differential equation. This equation depends on certain constants which characterize the support bed (Moreno-Grau, 1996), and must be associated to the initial and boundary conditions established according to the experimental procedure. To solve the equation an algorithm based on the implicit scheme of the finite difference method was implemented which, when ran with MATLAB 6.1, generated values for the pollutant concentration which depend on the mentioned constants. The results obtained with the simulation were compared with the reference values to determine the longitudinal dispersion coefficient value which leads to the least residual value for each kind of support bed. The obtained results lead to the conclusion that the constructed wetland with crushed stone and chopped tires is better than the one with crushed stone alone to reduce fecal and total coliforms