Effects of Glyphosate and its Formulation, Roundup, on Reproduction in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

This is an open access article that is freely available in ORE or from the publisher's web site. Please cite the published version.Copyright © 2014 American Chemical SocietyRoundup and its active ingredient glyphosate are among the most widely used herbicides worldwide and may contaminate surface waters. Research suggests both Roundup and glyphosate induce oxidative stress in fish and may also cause reproductive toxicity in mammalian systems. We aimed to investigate the reproductive effects of Roundup and glyphosate in fish and the potential associated mechanisms of toxicity. To do this, we conducted a 21-day exposure of breeding zebrafish (Danio rerio) to 0.01, 0.5, and 10 mg/L (glyphosate acid equivalent) Roundup and 10 mg/L glyphosate. 10 mg/L glyphosate reduced egg production but not fertilization rate in breeding colonies. Both 10 mg/L Roundup and glyphosate increased early stage embryo mortalities and premature hatching. However, exposure during embryogenesis alone did not increase embryo mortality, suggesting that this effect was caused primarily by exposure during gametogenesis. Transcript profiling of the gonads revealed 10 mg/L Roundup and glyphosate induced changes in the expression of cyp19a1 and esr1 in the ovary and hsd3b2, cat, and sod1 in the testis. Our results demonstrate that these chemicals cause reproductive toxicity in zebrafish, although only at high concentrations unlikely to occur in the environment, and likely mechanisms of toxicity include disruption of the steroidogenic biosynthesis pathway and oxidative stress.Natural Environment Research Counci

Factors influencing physical functional status in intensive care unit survivors two years after discharge

BACKGROUND: Studies suggest that in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU), physical functional status (PFS) improves over time, but does not return to the same level as before ICU admission. The goal of this study was to assess physical functional status two years after discharge from an ICU and to determine factors influencing physical status in this population. METHODS: The study reviewed all patients admitted to two non-trauma ICUs during a one-year period and included patients with age ≥ 18 yrs, ICU stay ≥ 24 h, and who were alive 24 months after ICU discharge. To assess PFS, Karnofsky Performance Status Scale scores and Lawton-Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scores at ICU admission (K-ICU and L-ICU) were compared to the scores at the end of 24 months (K-24mo and L-24mo). Data at 24 months were obtained through telephone interviews. RESULTS: A total of 1,216 patients were eligible for the study. Twenty-four months after ICU discharge, 499 (41.6%) were alive, agreed to answer the interview, and had all hospital data available. PFS (K-ICU: 86.6 ± 13.8 vs. K-24mo: 77.1 ± 19.6, p < 0.001) and IADL (L-ICU: 27.0 ± 11.7 vs. L-24mo: 22.5 ± 11.5, p < 0.001) declined in patients with medical and unplanned surgical admissions. Most strikingly, the level of dependency increased in neurological patients (K-ICU: 86 ± 12 vs. K-24mo: 64 ± 21, relative risk [RR] 2.6, 95% CI, 1.8–3.6, p < 0.001) and trauma patients (K-ICU: 99 ± 2 vs. K-24mo: 83 ± 21, RR 2.7, 95% CI, 1.6–4.6, p < 0.001). The largest reduction in the ability to perform ADL occurred in neurological patients (L-ICU: 27 ± 7 vs. L-24mo: 15 ± 12, RR 3.3, 95% CI, 2.3–4.6 p < 0.001), trauma patients (L-ICU: 32 ± 0 vs. L-24mo: 25 ± 11, RR 2.8, 95% CI, 1.5–5.1, p < 0.001), patients aged ≥ 65 years (RR 1.4, 95% CI, 1.07–1.86, p = 0.01) and those who received mechanical ventilation for ≥ 8 days (RR 1.48, 95% CI, 1.02–2.15, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-four months after ICU discharge, PFS was significantly poorer in patients with neurological injury, trauma, age ≥ 65 tears, and mechanical ventilation ≥ 8 days. Future studies should focus on the relationship between PFS and health-related quality of life in this population

Gender differences in biochemical markers and oxidative stress of rats after 28 days oral exposure to a mixture used for weight loss containing p-synephrine, ephedrine, salicin, and caffeine

The association of p-synephrine, ephedrine, salicin, and caffeine in dietary supplements and weight loss products is very common worldwide, even though ephedrine has been prohibited in many countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate a 28-day oral exposure toxicity profile of p-synephrine, ephedrine, salicin, and caffeine mixture (10:4:6:80 w/w respectively) in male and female Wistar rats. Body weight and signs of toxicity, morbidity, and mortality were observed daily. After 28 days, animals were euthanized and blood collected for hematological, biochemical, and oxidative stress evaluation. No clinical signs of toxicity, significant weight loss or deaths occurred, nor were there any significant alterations in hematological parameters. Biochemical and oxidative stress biomarkers showed lipid peroxidation, and hepatic and renal damage (p < 0.05; ANOVA/Bonferroni) in male rats (100 and 150 mg/kg) and a reduction (p < 0.05; ANOVA/Bonferroni) in glutathione (GSH) levels in all male groups. Female groups displayed no indications of oxidative stress or biochemical alterations. The different toxicity profile displayed by male and female rats suggests a hormonal influence on mixture effects. Results demonstrated that the tested mixture can alter oxidative status and promote renal and hepatic damages.A associação de p-sinefrina, efedrina, salicina, e cafeína em suplementos alimentares e produtos para perda de peso é muito utilizada em todo o mundo, embora a efedrina tenha sido proibida em muitos países. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o perfil de toxicidade à exposição oral de 28 dias à associação de p-sinefrina, efedrina, salicina e cafeína (na proporção de 10:4:6:80 m/m respectivamente) em ratos Wistar machos e fêmeas. Diariamente, os animais foram observados quanto ao peso corporal, sinais de toxicidade, morbidade e mortalidade. Após 28 dias, os animais foram sacrificados e o sangue coletado para avaliações hematológicas, bioquímicas e de estresse oxidativo. Não se observaram sinais clínicos de toxicidade, tampouco perda significativa de peso, mortes, ou quaisquer alterações significativas nos parâmetros hematológicos. Biomarcadores do estresse oxidativo e bioquímicos mostraram peroxidação lipídica, danos renais e hepáticos (p < 0,05; ANOVA/Bonferroni) em ratos machos (100 e 150 mg/kg) e a redução (p < 0,05; ANOVA/Bonferroni) nos níveis de glutationa reduzida (GSH) em todos os grupos de machos tratados. Nas fêmeas, não houve indícios de estresse oxidativo, nem alterações bioquímicas. O diferente perfil de toxicidade entre os gêneros sugere influência hormonal nos efeitos de mistura administrada. A associação testada pode alterar o estado oxidativo e promover danos renais e hepáticos

Perfectionism is associated with higher eating disorder symptoms and lower remission in children and adolescents diagnosed with eating disorders

© 2018 Objective: The link between perfectionism and eating disorders is well established in adults, however little research has been conducted in children and adolescents. The aim was to examine if perfectionism was a predictor of eating disorder symptoms at intake assessment, and 6 and 12 month review. Method: There were 175 children and adolescents aged 10–17 years (M = 14.47 years, SD = 1.31) who were assessed using the Eating Disorders Inventory-3 perfectionism subscale and the child adapted Eating Disorders Examination at intake, 6 and 12 months review. Results: There was a significant association between perfectionism and symptoms of eating disorders at intake assessment and at 6 and 12 month review. Higher perfectionism at intake predicted a lower likelihood of remission at 12 months. Discussion: The findings suggest that similar to adult samples, perfectionism is significantly associated with eating disorder symptoms in children and adolescents. Further research is required to examine the impact of perfectionism on eating disorder symptoms in longitudinal research with children and adolescents with eating disorders

Susceptibility and morbidity between male and female Swiss mice infected with Angiostrongylus costaricensis: Susceptibilidade e morbidade entre camundongos Swiss machos e fêmeas infectados com Angiostrongylus costaricensis

The gender of vertebrate hosts may affect the outcome of parasitic infections. An experimental murine infection with Angiostrongylus costaricensis was followed with determinations of body weight, fecal larval elimination, number and length of adult worms, number of macroscopic intestinal lesions, and mortality. Groups of male and female Swiss mice were infected with 10 3rd-stage A. costaricensis larvae per animal. The results indicate there are no significant differences related to gender of the host, except for higher length of worms developed in male mice.<br>O sexo dos hospedeiros vertebrados pode influenciar no resultado de infecções parasitárias. A infecção experimental de camundongos com Angiostrongylus costaricensis foi acompanhada com observação do peso corporal, eliminação de larvas nas fezes, número e comprimento dos vermes adultos, número de lesões macroscópicas nos intestinos e mortalidade. Grupos de camundongos Swiss machos e fêmeas foram infectados cada um com 10 larvas de terceiro estágio de A. costaricensis. Os resultados indicam que não há diferenças significativas relacionados ao sexo dos hospedeiros, exceto pelo maior comprimento dos vermes nos hospedeiros machos

Formação de psicólogos em residência multiprofissional: transdisciplinaridade, núcleo profissional e saúde mental

Este artigo tem como objetivo discutir a formação de psicólogos na modalidade de residência multiprofissional, considerando os significados e os sentidos construídos pelos residentes e preceptores sobre o cotidiano da aprendizagem pelo trabalho. Trata-se da primeira turma de uma residência multiprofissional em saúde coletiva com área de concentração em saúde mental, iniciada em 2008, com 15 residentes de seis áreas diferentes, três delas psicólogas. Inspirou-se teórico-metodologicamente na vertente da Psicologia social das práticas discursivas e da produção de sentido e na escrita etnográfica da Antropologia interpretativa. Utilizaram-se, na coleta de dados, entrevistas semiestruturadas com os residentes, grupo focal com os tutores e diário de campo. A análise dos repertórios interpretativos das psicólogas-residentes e demais entrevistados está organizada em dois eixos: Psicologia como campo de saber e como campo de fazer. A participação das psicólogas na residência multiprofissional tende a refinar as habilidades do seu núcleo profissional compatíveis com as necessidades do campo da saúde mental. Essa residência tende a proporcionar uma formação transdisciplinar, uma vez que está atenta à dimensão subjetiva da formação dos residentes

A atuação do profissional de saúde residente em contato com a morte e o morrer

Decorrente de um processo sócio-histórico, a morte tornou-se um tabu: há uma constrição do tema que o afasta do cotidiano e isola sua vivência. Assim, a formação dos profissionais de saúde em torno da temática é insuficiente em níveis de graduação e pós-graduação, este último na modalidade de residência em saúde, interferindo no cuidado para com pacientes em processo de morte e morrer. Este artigo visa compreender a percepção do profissional de saúde residente diante da atuação na morte e no morrer, e investigar a formação dos residentes sobre essa temática, a experiência de atuação nessas situações e o aparato teórico e técnico obtido. A pesquisa é de natureza qualitativa, fundamentada na hermenêutica fenomenológica, e seus dados foram coletados mediante entrevistas semiestruturadas com 14 médicos residentes de um hospital infantil vinculado à Secretaria de Saúde do Estado do Ceará. Através das categorias de sentido encontradas, demarcou-se a carência de formação dos profissionais a respeito do tema, além dos sentimentos de despreparo, impotência e sofrimento relacionados à atuação diante da morte e do morrer. Destacou-se, ainda, a importância da interdisciplinaridade em saúde no trato com os pacientes nessa situação. Os resultados obtidos indicam o lugar dos programas de residência na tentativa de minimizar as complicações da carência da formação; apontam para a necessidade de espaços de cuidado para os profissionais; e destacam que a dimensão ética do cuidado a esses pacientes se sobrepôs às relações técnicas.Due to a social and historical process, death has become a taboo and has been treated under constraint, distant from the everyday life. Thus, the training of health professionals on this subject is insufficient at the undergraduate level and it lingers in graduate programs of medical residency, interfering in the care with patients in the process of death and dying. This research’s objective is to understand the perception of graduating medics in contact with death and dying cases and to investigate both the training that they received on this subject and the experience they have while dealing with these situations. It was applied a method of qualitative research based on phenomenological hermeneutics, and the data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 14 medical residents of a children’s hospital linked to the Ceará State Health Department. The results pointed out the lack of training of the professionals on this matter - they felt unprepared and impotent deal with death and dying, and with the importance of interdisciplinarity in dealing with patients in this context. Furthermore, it was clear the residency programs try to minimize the complications of the lack of training; the need of care spaces for professionals; and that ethical dimension of care is more important than the technical relations between doctors and dying patients