Environmental pathways and human exposure to manganese in southern Brazil

The study of environmental pathways and human exposure to Manganese (Mn) in Southern Brazil was performed using two steps. The first step consisted of taking water samples from the surface of the Pardinho River. The average results from this technique showed a significant increase of pollutants, including increased levels of Mn, above the environmentally acceptable standard recommended by the Brazilian National Environment Council. Additionally, 64 soil samples were taken from areas with and without agricultural activity. Many results were above the mean crust and did not indicate significant differences of Mn levels between the sampled areas. For the second step, 12 families were selected and assessed for exposure to Mn in a region with high levels of Mn in the soil. Most of the analyzed foods contained amounts of Mn above the reference values, indicating that food can be an important source of exposure. The Mn content from the hair of most subjects studied was also high compared to reference values from non-exposed populations. Although the contamination appeared to come from a natural origin, the results found in the present study showed that the Mn levels present in the Pardinho River Basin are a relevant public health issue

First determination of UV filters in marine mammals. Octocrylene levels in Franciscana dolphins

Most current bioexposure assessments for UV filters focus on contaminants concentrations in fish from river and lake. To date there is not information available on the occurrence of UV filters in marine mammals. This is the first study to investigate the presence of sunscreen agents in tissue liver of Franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei), a species under special measures for conservation. Fifty six liver tissue samples were taken from dead individuals accidentally caught or found stranded along the Brazilian coastal area (six states). The extensively used octocrylene (2-ethylhexyl-2-cyano-3,3- diphenyl-2-propenoate, OCT) was frequently found in the samples investigated (21 out of 56) at concentrations in the range 89-782 ng·g-1 lipid weight. São Paulo was found to be the most polluted area (70% frequency of detection). Nevertheless, the highest concentration was observed in the dolphins from Rio Grande do Sul (42% frequency of detection within that area). These findings constitute the first data reported on the occurrence of UV filters in marine mammals worldwide. © 2013 American Chemical Society.This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through the Project CEMAGUA (CGL2007-64551/HID). This work was also partly supported by the Generalitat de Catalunya (Consolidated Research Group: Water and Soil Quality Group 2009-SGR-965). Gago- Ferrero acknowledges his fellowship to Junta para la Ampliacion de Estudios (JAE). This research was also funded by the Ministry of Education of Brazil e CAPES (fellowship to M.B. Alonso “Sandwich Programme” e PDEE; “Ciencias do Mar” e Proc. 23038.051661/2009-18), Brazilian Research Council e CNPq (Grant No. 304826/2008- 1), FAPERJ (Jovem Cientista do Nosso Estado No. 101.449/2010), Mount Sinai School of Medicine (NY/USA), Fogarty International Center NIH/USA (grant 1D43TW0640). We are grateful to the fishermen and cetacean research group staffs for the assistance in fieldwork, as well as Cetacean Society Interna- tional (CSI), Society for Marine Mammalogy (SMM) and Yaqu Pacha. A.F.A. and J.L.-B. have research grant from CNPq (PQ- 2) and FAPERJ (JCNE). We give special thanks to students from Environmental Chemistry Lab (IDAEA-CSIC, Spain), Radioisotope Lab (UFRJ e Brazil) and Aquatic Mammal and Bioindicator Lab (UERJ e Brazil).Peer Reviewe

Safety of hospital discharge before return of bowel function after elective colorectal surgery

Background: Ileus is common after colorectal surgery and is associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications. Identifying features of normal bowel recovery and the appropriateness for hospital discharge is challenging. This study explored the safety of hospital discharge before the return of bowel function. Methods: A prospective, multicentre cohort study was undertaken across an international collaborative network. Adult patients undergoing elective colorectal resection between January and April 2018 were included. The main outcome of interest was readmission to hospital within 30 days of surgery. The impact of discharge timing according to the return of bowel function was explored using multivariable regression analysis. Other outcomes were postoperative complications within 30 days of surgery, measured using the Clavien\u2013Dindo classification system. Results: A total of 3288 patients were included in the analysis, of whom 301 (9\ub72 per cent) were discharged before the return of bowel function. The median duration of hospital stay for patients discharged before and after return of bowel function was 5 (i.q.r. 4\u20137) and 7 (6\u20138) days respectively (P < 0\ub7001). There were no significant differences in rates of readmission between these groups (6\ub76 versus 8\ub70 per cent; P = 0\ub7499), and this remained the case after multivariable adjustment for baseline differences (odds ratio 0\ub790, 95 per cent c.i. 0\ub755 to 1\ub746; P = 0\ub7659). Rates of postoperative complications were also similar in those discharged before versus after return of bowel function (minor: 34\ub77 versus 39\ub75 per cent; major 3\ub73 versus 3\ub74 per cent; P = 0\ub7110). Conclusion: Discharge before return of bowel function after elective colorectal surgery appears to be safe in appropriately selected patients