Toxicity of drilling fluids in aquatic organisms: a review

Offshore oil-well drilling has been a subject of great interest to environmental regulatory agencies worldwide. The drilling fluids used in this process involve a complex mixture of chemicals and are largely discharged into the ocean. Acute and chronic toxicity tests have been done to better understand the effects of different types of drilling fluids on aquatic organisms. The aim of this article was to analyze all the studies related to the toxicity of drilling fluids published during the period of 2000 to 2017 by conducting a thorough review through the Scopus and Science Direct databases. Out of 154 articles, only 25 showed relevant information about the toxicity of drilling fluids. Acute toxicity tests were the predominant tests employed, appearing in 56% of the articles. Invertebrates were the most evaluated taxa, used in 64% of cases and represented mainly by Crustacea (32%), Mollusca (16%), and other invertebrates. Vertebrates were represented only by fish, constituting 32% of the cases. Water-based drilling fluids (WBFs) (32%) were the most frequently tested, followed by synthetic-based fluids or muds (SBFs) (24%) and oil-based fluids (OBFs) (16%). Individual components were tested in 12% of the cases, while 16% of studies included more than one type of drilling fluid. After analyzing the toxicity of drilling fluids and the sensitivity of aquatic organisms presented in 25 articles published in scientific journals, we concluded that WBFs—showing, in general, lower values of median lethal concentrations than do natural oil- and SBFs—are the most toxic drilling fluids to invertebrates in the short term. The gaps of information found in this review indicate that future studies need to address the acute and chronic effects of WBFs in both juvenile and adult fish and in other vertebrates; they also need to address the chronic effects of non-aqueous-based fluids on adult invertebrates. As crustaceans are more sensitive to drilling fluids than are mollusks, it is also recommended that they be used in future studies

Validation of a peptide nucleic acid fluorescence in situ hybridization for the specific detection of salmonella species in food matrices

Salmonella is a Gram-negative flagellated rod-shaped bacterium that is one of the most important etiological agents in bacterial foodborne diseases [1,2]. Despite human salmonellosis generally presenting as a self-limiting episode of enterocolitis, the infection can degenerate into chronic and debilitating conditions [2]. To diagnose a Salmonella infection, standard cultural methods are routinely used, which implies bacterial identification by biochemical and serological tests, to confirm the suspect colonies grown on the selective agar [3]. However, this methodology is time-consuming and takes too long to deliver the results [4]. Due to these limitations, more rapid techniques for detection have been developed [5-7]. For that, in this study, we developed a novel Peptide Nucleic Acid Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (PNA FISH) method for the specific detection of Salmonella spp. The method was based on a new PNA probe, SalPNA1692, coupled with a novel blocker probe in a 1:1 ratio. The method was optimized for the detection of Salmonella in food samples through an evaluation of several rich and selective enrichment broths. The best outcome was achieved using Buffered Peptone water as a pre-enrichment for 24 h followed by 16 h of selective enrichment in RambaQuick broth. For validation in food samples, fresh ground beef was artificially contaminated with two ranges of inoculum: a low level (0.22 CFU/25 g) and a high level (210 CFU/25 g). For both levels of contamination, the confirmed positives were the same comparing the PNA-FISH method and the reference method (ISO 6579-1: 2017). The new PNA-FISH method presented a specificity of 100 % and is a faster time-to-result method, making it a good candidate for routine application in food safety laboratories.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Educational nursing intervention to reduce the hyperphosphatemia in patients on hemodialysis

Objective: to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational nursing intervention to reduce hyperphosphataemia in chronic renal patients on hemodialysis. Method: quasi-experimental study with 63 hyperphosphatemic patients on hemodialysis. The intervention consisted of developing and providing a printed and illustrated manual to patients containing information on disease control. The participant was asked to complete a daily checklist with the aim to reinforce aspects provided in the manual. Laboratory tests and itching intensity were analyzed at the beginning of the study, and at 30 and 60 days after the educational intervention. Results: the mean age of participants was 58 +/- 13.1 years, with a treatment time of 51.1 +/- 44.7 months. A reduction in serum phosphorus values of 7.06 +/- 1.43 to 5.80 +/- 1.53 (p <0.001) and the intensity of itching after the intervention was observed. Conclusion: the educational nursing intervention was effective in reducing phosphate and decreasing itching in hyperphosphatemic patients.Objetivo: avaliar a efetividade de uma intervenção educacional de enfermagem para redução da hiperfosfatemia em pacientes renais crônicos em hemodiálise. Método: estudo quase experimental realizado com 63 pacientes hiperfosfatêmicos em hemodiálise. A intervenção se constituiu em orientar e disponibilizar um manual impresso e ilustrado aos pacientes, contendo informações sobre o controle da doença. Foi solicitado o preenchimento de um checklist diário, com finalidade recordatória dos aspectos abordados no manual. Os exames laboratoriais e a intensidade do prurido foram analisados no início do estudo, aos 30 e 60 dias após a intervenção educacional. Resultados: a média de idade dos participantes foi 58±13,1 anos e tempo de tratamento de 51,1±44,7 meses. Houve redução dos valores séricos do fósforo de 7,06±1,43 para 5,80±1,53 (p<0,001) e da intensidade do prurido após a intervenção. Conclusão: a Intervenção Educacional de Enfermagem foi efetiva para redução do fosfato e diminuição do prurido nos pacientes hiperfosfatêmicos.Univ Reg Noroeste Estado Rio Grande do Sul, Dept Hlth Sci, Nursing Course, Ijui, RS, BrazilUniv Fed Santa Maria, North Higher Educ Ctr, Palmeira Das Missoes, RS, BrazilUniv Fed Santa Maria, Hlth Sci Ctr, Dept Nursing, Santa Maria, RS, BrazilUniv Fed Santa Maria, Univ Hosp Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Paulista Sch Nursing, Dept Nursing, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Paulista Sch Nursing, Dept Med, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Enfermagem, Departamento de Enfermagem. São Paulo-SP, BrasilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Departamento de Medicina. São Paulo-SP, BrasilWeb of Scienc

Prevenção de DST’s e gravidez não planejada entre adolescentes de uma instituição de acolhimento: um relato de experiênci

Introdução:A lei no 8.069 criada em 1990 dispõe sobre o Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente (ECA), que defende os direitos à convivência comunitária, à saúde e à educação. Nos casos de crianças e adolescentes moradores de abrigos, a responsabilidade de assegurar esses direitos fundamentais passa a ser principalmente da sociedade e do poder público. Em relação à saúde sexual dos adolescentes, nota-se que questões socioeconômicas aumentam a vulnerabilidade dessa população à doenças sexualmente transmissíveis (DST's) e ao risco de uma gravidez não planejada. Diante disso, o Projeto Voluntariado do Centro Universitário de Anápolis, visando contribuir para a saúde, educação e convivência comunitária dos adolescentes que vivem no instituto de acolhimento Luz de Jesus, realizou uma ação educativa sobre DST's e gravidez na adolescência. Objetivo: Relatar a experiência de discentes de medicina membros do Projeto Voluntariado na realização de uma ação educativa sobre DST's e gravidez numa casa de acolhimento de Anápolis, Goiás. Relato de experiência: A experiência foi inserida no contexto de atividades do Projeto Voluntariado do curso de Medicina do Centro Universitário de Anápolis e ocorreu no Instituto Luz de Jesus no dia 04 de junho de 2019, tendo como público alvo cerca de 7 adolescentes. Visando ter uma melhor dinâmica de conversa, os acadêmicos dividiram os adolescentes em dois grupos distintos, sendo um somente com meninos e outro com meninas. A ação ocorreu basicamente por meio de uma roda de conversa e esclarecimentos das dúvidas. Os temas abordados foram: as principais DST's, a importância do preservativo na prevenção das doenças, a gravidez não planejada na adolescência e os diversos métodos contraceptivos. Em relação às doenças sexualmente transmissíveis, os discentes discutiram o modo de transmissão, as principais manifestações clínicas, levaram fotos dos acometimentos corporais e discutiram a importância da camisinha na proteção. Já no contexto da gravidez não planejada, explicaram os diversos pontos negativos que isso pode acarretar na vida, além de explicar os diferentes métodos que podem ser usados para evitar uma gravidez. Para esse momento, foram levados alguns métodos contraceptivos como os preservativos feminino e masculino, o DIU, a cartela de anticoncepcional hormonal, entre outros, para que os adolescentes pudessem ver e conhecer melhor o funcionamento de cada um. Além disso, houve um momento final para a manifestação de dúvidas, em que os adolescentes se mostraram bastante interessados e aproveitaram da situação para conversar e perguntar. Discussão: Ações sobre sexualidade tendo como público alvo adolescentes de instituições de acolhimento se mostram bastante impactantes na vida desse público, visto que são momentos únicos e oportunos para o entendimento correto e a explanação de dúvidas acerca do tema. Além disso, é importante entender que esses adolescentes muitas vezes não têm ninguém de confiança para fazer perguntas sobre sexualidade e, por esse motivo, a realização de ações educativas nesse sentido é de extrema importância para a prevenção de DST's e gravidez dentro desse grupo de vulnerabilidade. Conclusão: A dinâmica com os adolescentes levou de uma forma simples a educação e promoção de saúde e se mostrou bastante eficiente ao ressaltar um assunto de relevância e importância social

Coupling of fused deposition modeling and inkjet printing to produce drug loaded 3D printed tablets

In the current study, we have coupled Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) for the fabrication of plain polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) tablets followed by dispensing of minoxidil ethanolic solutions using inkjet printing. The use of a drop‐on‐solid printing approach facilitates an accurate and reproducible process while it controls the deposition of the drug amounts. For the purpose of the study, the effect of the solvent was investigated and minoxidil ink solutions of ethanol 70% v/v (P70) or absolute ethanol (P100) were applied on the plain PVA tablets. Physicochemical characterization showed that solvent miscibility with the polymer substrate plays a key role and can lead to the formation of drug crystals on the surface or drug absorption in the polymer matrix. The produced minoxidil tablets showed sustained release profiles or initial bursts strongly affected by the solvent grade used for dispensing the required dose on drug loaded 3D printed tablets. This paradigm demonstrates that the coupling of FDM and inkjet printing technologies could be used for rapid development of personalized dosage forms

COVID-19: Ivermectina e outros medicamentos prescritos podem contribuir com a redução da mortalidade?

Diante à pandemia da doença causada pelo Sars-CoV-2, muito se tem investido da parte de médicos de linha de frente em prescrições de medicamentos como azitromicina, ivermectina, hidroxicloroquina e outros que prometem atenuar os efeitos letais advindos do coronavirus. Objetivou-se nesse estudo analisar a eficácia destes medicamentos em prevenir as complicações advindas do Covid-19. Esse estudo trata-se de uma mini revisão de literatura, onde foram selecionados cinco artigos com base nos descritores, associados com operadores booleanos, COVID-19 AND Ivermectin AND Mortality, no banco de dados da Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS). Foram selecionados apenas artigos originais com maior relação com o tema, assim, o ano que mais teve publicações sobre o tema foi o de 2020, sendo um deles publicado em 2021. Os resultados disponíveis na literatura virtual, que foram revisados neste trabalho, apontam a ausência de um consenso em relação à redução da mortalidade associada ao tratamento precoce, com o uso dos medicamentos anteriormente citados, contra o vírus Sars-CoV-2. Logo, mesmo que essa temática seja uma das mais discutidas na sociedade científica da contemporaneidade, a qual busca combater o crescente número de mortes causadas pelo COVID-19 em todo o mundo, é indiscutível a necessidade de que novas pesquisas sejam feitas a fim de que os achados definidos sejam claros e evidentes em relação ao tratamento precoce desta doença, visto que se trata da saúde e sobrevivência de milhões de pessoas. Diante desse contexto, revela-se a urgência de novas pesquisas, o que se traduz, sobretudo, nesta mini revisão limitada pela escassa quantidade de artigos referentes ao estudo abordado. Espera-se, portanto, que este trabalho possa contribuir para a ordenação de novas pesquisas sobre essa temática que, apesar de atualmente ser muito explorada, ainda não demonstra resultados significativos consistentes

Deciphering the genome structure and paleohistory of _Theobroma cacao_

We sequenced and assembled the genome of _Theobroma cacao_, an economically important tropical fruit tree crop that is the source of chocolate. The assembly corresponds to 76% of the estimated genome size and contains almost all previously described genes, with 82% of them anchored on the 10 _T. cacao_ chromosomes. Analysis of this sequence information highlighted specific expansion of some gene families during evolution, for example flavonoid-related genes. It also provides a major source of candidate genes for _T. cacao_ disease resistance and quality improvement. Based on the inferred paleohistory of the T. cacao genome, we propose an evolutionary scenario whereby the ten _T. cacao_ chromosomes were shaped from an ancestor through eleven chromosome fusions. The _T. cacao_ genome can be considered as a simple living relic of higher plant evolution

Distribution of alien tetrapods in the Iberian Peninsula

We present a dataset that assembles occurrence records of alien tetrapods (amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals) in the Iberian Peninsula, a coherent biogeographically unit where introductions of alien species have occurred for millennia. These data have important potential applications for ecological research and management, including the assessment of invasion risks, formulation of preventive and management plans, and research at the biological community level on alien species. This dataset summarizes inventories and data sources on the taxonomy and distribution of alien tetrapods in the Iberia Peninsula, comprising known locations from published literature, expert knowledge and citizen science platforms. An expert-based assessment process allowed the identification of unreliable records (misclassification or natural dispersion from native range), and the classification of species according to their status of reproduction in the wild. Distributional data was harmonized into a common area unit, the 10 × 10 km Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) system (n = 6,152 cells). The year of observation and/or year of publication were also assigned to the records. In total, we assembled 35,940 unique distribution records (UTM × species × Year) for 253 species (6 amphibians, 16 reptiles, 218 birds and 13 mammals), spanning between 1912 and 2020. The species with highest number of distribution records were the Mediterranean painted frog Discoglossus pictus (n = 59 UTM), the pond slider Trachemys scripta (n = 471), the common waxbill Estrilda astrild (n = 1,275) and the house mouse Mus musculus (n = 4,043), for amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, respectively. Most alien species recorded are native to Africa (33%), followed by South America (21%), Asia (19%), North America (12%) and Oceania (10%). Thirty-six species are classified by IUCN as threatened in their native range, namely 2 Critically Endangered (CR), 6 Endangered (EN), 8 Vulnerable (VU), and 20 species Near Threatened (NT). Species maps are provided in DataSet1, as well R code and GIS layers to update them as new records are obtained.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

BioTIME: A database of biodiversity time series for the Anthropocene.

MotivationThe BioTIME database contains raw data on species identities and abundances in ecological assemblages through time. These data enable users to calculate temporal trends in biodiversity within and amongst assemblages using a broad range of metrics. BioTIME is being developed as a community-led open-source database of biodiversity time series. Our goal is to accelerate and facilitate quantitative analysis of temporal patterns of biodiversity in the Anthropocene.Main types of variables includedThe database contains 8,777,413 species abundance records, from assemblages consistently sampled for a minimum of 2 years, which need not necessarily be consecutive. In addition, the database contains metadata relating to sampling methodology and contextual information about each record.Spatial location and grainBioTIME is a global database of 547,161 unique sampling locations spanning the marine, freshwater and terrestrial realms. Grain size varies across datasets from 0.0000000158 km2 (158 cm2) to 100 km2 (1,000,000,000,000 cm2).Time period and grainBioTIME records span from 1874 to 2016. The minimal temporal grain across all datasets in BioTIME is a year.Major taxa and level of measurementBioTIME includes data from 44,440 species across the plant and animal kingdoms, ranging from plants, plankton and terrestrial invertebrates to small and large vertebrates.Software format.csv and .SQL