Ecotoxicology of sediment in the estuary of the Jundiaí and Potengi Rivers in Natal-RN, Brazil, by using Leptocheirus plumulosus as test-organism

The estuary of the Potengi and Jundiaí Rivers is situated on the coast of the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, and has a record of contamination by metals and organic contaminants. However, there are few studies regarding the toxic effects of pollution on the aquatic organisms from this area. The objective was to assess the quality of sediments from the Jundiaí and Potengi Rivers, by the use of toxicity tests with the amphipod Leptocheirus plumulosus. The sediments were collected from 4 sites, in 4 different months along 2011. After data analysis, it was possible to observe that the sediments collected close to the most populated areas of Macaíba and Natal (P1 and P3) were toxic. Sediment from the Station 4 did not show toxicity in any of the months studied, despite its urban location near the port of Natal. This result might be related to a low level of organic matter and greater tidal influence, which affect the dilution of the contaminants at this area and can reduce the sediment toxicity. No relationship between rainfall and environmental toxicity was observed

Perfil clínico dos portadores da síndrome congênita do zika vírus atendidos no centro especializado em reabilitação da cidade de Campina Grande- Pb

Introdução: No segundo semestre do ano de 2015 um surto de microcefalia foi registrado na região nordeste do Brasil. O presente artigo tem como objetivo traçar o perfil clínico dos portadores da síndrome congênita do zika vírus da cidade de campina Grande. Métodos: Tratou-se de um estudo documental com abordagem quantitativa. A coleta de dados deu-se no Centro Especializado em Reabilitação (CER), no município de Campina Grande no estado da Paraíba com análise de 66 prontuários. Resultados: Maioria do sexo feminino (57,6%), com idade média de 3,36 anos. Houve predominância de infecção pelo vírus da Zika no 1º trimestre de gestação (69,7%), em mães com baixo grau de escolaridade em que apenas 28,8% completaram o ensino médio. A maioria das crianças, mesmo com a infecção, nasceram a termo (68,2%), porém, apresentaram baixo peso ao nascer, 2,697kg em média, perímetro cefálico médio de 29,97 cm, hipertonia, diminuição da amplitude de movimento, grande dependência nas atividades de vida diária e um importante atraso no desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor. Considerações finais: Com isto é possível destacar que os distúrbios apresentados, contribuem de maneira negativa para o desenvolvimento motor das crianças gerando um impacto em sua qualidade de vida

Electrophoretic profile of cell wall extracts from Candida albicans samples isolated from women with vulvovaginitis / Perfil eletroforético de extratos da parede celular de amostras de Candida albicans isoladas de mulheres com vulvovaginite

Candida albicans is a common commensal fungus in the human microbiota. It causes not only opportunistic infections, as in vulvovaginal candidiasis, but also allergic reactions in people sensitized to the fungus. The present study evaluated the ability of Coca liquid to extract glycoproteins considered fungal antigens from Candida albicans samples, with protein bands being visualized by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. Five strains of Candida albicans were used, which were subjected to extraction with Coca liquid (0.28% NAHCO3, 0.49% NaCl), protein and carbohydrate were dosed in the supernatant of the extract and subsequently submitted to electrophoresis. We concluded that the Coca Liquid had great capacity for protein extraction, in addition to being a simple and inexpensive method

Caracterização de crianças atendidas no pronto-socorro de um hospital universitário

Estudo exploratório-descritivo, quantitativo, com objetivo de identificar e analisar o perfil de crianças (de zero a cinco anos) atendidas no Pronto-Socorro do Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, segundo sexo, idade, motivo da procura, conduta e destino da criança, de janeiro a junho de 2009.  Para coleta de dados, foram utilizados dados captados em 722 Folhas de Atendimento do Pronto-Socorro. Para sistematização dos dados coletados, foi utilizado um banco de dados no programa Excell. 38,2% das crianças apresentavam menos de 1 ano. 55,4% eram do sexo masculino.  Os principais motivos de procura por atendimento foram: doenças do sistema respiratório (30,7%), doenças do aparelho digestivo (14,7%), sinais e sintomas (10,8%), doenças do sistema nervoso (5,7%), afecções perinatais (5,4%) e causas externas (5,1%). Chamou atenção o percentual (0,7%) de abuso sexual.  52,9% das crianças atendidas necessitaram de internação, enquanto 46,8% foram atendidas e receberam alta. Conclui-se que, apesar da maioria das crianças terem necessitado da atenção terciária, houve muitos casos de causas evitáveis e preveníveis com ações de atenção primária

Incorporation of isoniazid in clay minerals: a study review/ Incorporação de isoniazida em minerais argilosos: uma revisão do estudo

Tuberculosis is a globally widespread infectious disease with elevated transmissibility and expressive mortality rate. It affects people throughout all age groups causing a strong economic impact on public health systems. Isoniazid, which was launched in the market in the 60’s, has been the most effective antimicrobial drug for the treatment of tuberculosis so far. However, this is a long treatment with many adverse effects resulting in poor patient compliance. Therefore, it is necessary to develop oral intake systems that minimize the adverse effects of the drug to guarantee patients adherence to the treatment. Over the last decade, extensive research has shown that the development of controlled release systems is an effective way of addressing isoniazid’s adverse effects. The intercalation of isoniazid in clay minerals such as bentonites present highly promising results. The present study review seeks to summarize and allow readers to understand the most recent published articles and research on this subject

Novel Zinc-Related Differentially Methylated Regions in Leukocytes of Women With and Without Obesity

INTRODUCTION: Nutriepigenetic markers are predictive responses associated with changes in “surrounding” environmental conditions of humans, which may influence metabolic diseases. Although rich in calories, Western diets could be linked with the deficiency of micronutrients, resulting in the downstream of epigenetic and metabolic effects and consequently in obesity. Zinc (Zn) is an essential nutrient associated with distinct biological roles in human health. Despite the importance of Zn in metabolic processes, little is known about the relationship between Zn and epigenetic. Thus, the present study aimed to identify the epigenetic variables associated with Zn daily ingestion (ZnDI) and serum Zinc (ZnS) levels in women with and without obesity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a case-control, non-randomized, single-center study conducted with 21 women allocated into two groups: control group (CG), composed of 11 women without obesity, and study group (SG), composed of 10 women with obesity. Anthropometric measurements, ZnDI, and ZnS levels were evaluated. Also, leukocyte DNA was extracted for DNA methylation analysis using 450 k Illumina BeadChips. The epigenetic clock was calculated by Horvath method. The chip analysis methylation pipeline (ChAMP) package selected the differentially methylated regions (DMRs). RESULTS: The SG had lower ZnS levels than the CG. Moreover, in SG, the ZnS levels were negatively associated with the epigenetic age acceleration. The DMR analysis revealed 37 DMRs associated with ZnDI and ZnS levels. The DMR of PM20D1 gene was commonly associated with ZnDI and ZnS levels and was hypomethylated in the SG. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide new information on Zn's modulation of DNA methylation patterns and bring new perspectives for understanding the nutriepigenetic mechanisms in obesity

Ensino de saúde do trabalhador nos cursos de graduação em Terapia Ocupacional: contribuições ao debate sobre parâmetros de avaliação do ensino público brasileiro

Esta pesquisa possui como objetivo, investigar as ações de pesquisa, ensino e extensão desenvolvidas na área de Saúde do Trabalhador nos cursos de graduação em Terapia Ocupacional das universidades públicas do Brasil. Trata-se de pesquisa descritiva exploratória, realizada por duas Universidades Federais. A amostra foi composta por (n=16) cursos de graduação em Terapia Ocupacional de (n=15) universidades públicas. Os dados encontrados demonstram que as universidades abordam a área de Saúde do Trabalhador. Dispõem, em sua maioria, de professores com titulação na área de Ergonomia e apresentam, nos últimos três anos, (n=08) campos de estágio, (n=14) projetos de extensão, (n=70) trabalhos de conclusão de curso, (n=20) projetos de pesquisas e (n=29) publicações em periódicos científicos. Destaca-se a necessidade de ações que promovam a intersetorialização e o debate entre instituições, a fim de possibilitar troca de experiências e avanços no conteúdo do ensino,tanto neste campo de atuação, quanto na formação dos docentes responsáveis pela área de Saúde do Trabalhador.This study aims to investigate actions of research, education and extension developed on worker’s health field in undergraduate courses of Occupational Therapy in public universities in Brazil. It is a descriptive and exploratory research, conducted by two federal universities. The sample was formed by (n=16) Occupational Therapy undergraduate courses (n=15) in public universities. The data obtained demonstrated that the universities approach worker’s health field. They have, in most cases, professors with titration in ergonomics and, in the last three years, (n=08) internship fields, (n=14) extension projects, (n=70) and a final work for undergraduates, (n=20) projects and researches, and (n=29) publications in scientific journals.Actions to promote sector union and discussions between institutions are needed, to enable experience exchanges and progress in education matter, both in this field and formation ofteachers responsible for worker’s health area.