Toward sustainable environmental quality: Identifying priority research questions for Latin America

The Global Horizon Scanning Project (GHSP) is an innovative initiative that aims to identify important global environmental quality research needs. Here we report 20 key research questionsfrom LatinAmerica (LA).Members of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) LA and other scientistsfrom LA were asked to submit research questions that would represent priority needs to address in the region. One hundred questions were received, then partitioned among categories, examined, and some rearranged during a workshop in Buenos Aires,Argentina. Twenty priority research questions were subsequently identified. These research questions included developing, improving, and harmonizing across LA countries methods for 1) identifying contaminants and degradation products in complex matrices (including biota); 2) advancing prediction of contaminant risks and effects in ecosystems, addressing lab-to-field extrapolation challenges, and understanding complexities of multiple stressors (including chemicals and climate change); and 3) improving management and regulatory tools toward achieving sustainable development. Whereas environmental contaminants frequently identified in these key questions were pesticides, pharmaceuticals, endocrine disruptors or modulators, plastics, and nanomaterials, commonly identified environmental challenges were related to agriculture, urban effluents, solid wastes, pulp and paper mills, and natural extraction activities. Several interesting research topics included assessing and preventing pollution impacts on conservation protected areas, integrating environment and health assessments, and developing strategiesfor identification, substitution, and design of less hazardous chemicals (e.g., green chemistry). Finally, a recurrent research need included developing an understanding of differential sensitivity of regional species and ecosystems to environmental contaminants and other stressors. Addressing these critical questions will support development of long-term strategic research efforts to advance more sustainable environmental quality and protect public health and the environment in LA.Centro de Investigaciones del Medioambient

Tuberculose pulmonar: perfil epidemiológico do sertão Pernambucano, Brasil / Pulmonary tuberculosis: epidemiological profile of sertão Pernambucano, Brazil

Atualmente, observa-se que a tuberculose pulmonar constitui um importante problema de Saúde Pública no mundo, uma vez que esse agravo apresentou, em 2015, 10,4 milhões de casos, dos quais, mais de um milhão de pessoas vieram a óbito. Sob essa perspectiva, o presente artigo tem como objetivo traçar um perfil epidemiológico dos casos de Tuberculose Pulmonar notificados no município de Serra Talhada, entre os anos de 2007 a 2017. Foi realizado um estudo de série histórica observacional do tipo transversal, no intervalo de tempo de 2007 a 2017.  No período investigado o número de casos de tuberculose pulmonar foi de 246 casos, o local que teve a maior prevalência foi Serra Talhada, 287 por 100 mil habitantes. Diante dos dados apresentados, é imprescindível concluir, portanto, que esse estudo corrobora o perfil epidemiológico brasileiro para a Tuberculose Pulmonar, o qual indica variabilidade nos índices de acometimento durante o período analisado

Qualidade de vida de indivíduos com HIV: revisão integrativa / Quality of living of individuals with HIV integration review

 A qualidade de  vida de pacientes vivendo com HIV/AIDS é essencial, tendo em vista o caso específico dos adolescentes é ainda mais importante porque o jovem além de lidar com a resistência e a aceitação da doença, deve também enfrentar os conflitos da puberdade.O presente trabalho tem como objetivo realizar uma revisão integrativa em relação a qualidade de vida dos pacientes com HIV. Trata-se de um estudo de revisão integrativa realizado no período de 2016 a 2017, utilizando-se o banco de dados Medline e Lilacs. Apesar do impacto da infecção pelo HIV/AIDS na saúde psicológica e nas relações sociais dos indivíduos infectados, assim como no domínio físico, o uso da TARV provocou consequências positivas na saúde psicológica, proporcionando a desconstrução da ideia de morte advinda ao diagnóstico de portador do HIV/AIDS e a construção de melhores perspectivas de vida. A adesão ao tratamento em HIV/AIDS está relacionada a um aumento da sobrevida e de sua qualidade. Porém deve-se respeitar a posição pessoal do portador para fazer ou não o tratamento

Um modelo de previsão do consumo residencial de energia elétrica no brasil

<p><span>&lt;doi&gt;10.12957/cadest.2010.15741</span></p><p><em>O objetivo deste trabalho foi o desenvolvimento de um modelo previsão do consumo residencial de energia elétrica no Brasil. Dentre os métodos de previsão de demanda existentes, a metodologia adotada neste trabalho baseou-se na abordagem econométrica. O método aplicado consistiu na modelagem de um vetor autoregressivo e de um modelo de correção de erros vetoriais, utilizando-se os procedimentos de estimação e testes desenvolvidos por Johansen (1988 e 1991) e Johansen e Juselius (1990). Para o período analisado, as elasticidades preço e renda de longo prazo da demanda residencial de energia elétrica foram de –0,3912 e 0,9649 respectivamente.</em></p

Cremes de barbatimão e quitosana como adjuvantes na cicatrização feridas cutâneas em coelhos

In this study, 5% barbatiman and 5% chitosan creams were evaluated as adjuvants in the tissue repair process by secondary intention of rabbit’s skin wounds. Four equidistant wounds were induced in the dorsal skin of 20 adult male rabbits, which were submitted to healing by secondary intention and treated with 5% chitosan cream (QC, n=5), 5% barbatiman cream (BC, n=5), 2% allantoin cream (n=5), and base cream (n=5). The creams were applied with the aid of disposable spatulas after washing the wounds. The wounds were daily analyzed by clinical examination for 21 days and histological analyses were performed on the 3rd, 14th, and 21st day after induction. The microscopic evaluation of the wounds of all groups showed macroscopic features of the healing process at different time intervals. The QC and BC treatments helped in the skin repair process in rabbits when compared to the other two treatments. They induced fibroblast activation and early collagen deposition, and modulated re-epithelialization and neovascularization. Thus, it was concluded that BC and QC are efficient and economically feasible as adjuvants in the healing process of skin wounds in rabbits.Neste estudo, os cremes de barbatimão a 5% e quitosana a 5% foram avaliadas como adjuvantes no processo de reparação tecidual por segunda intenção de lesões cutâneas de coelho. Quatro feridas cutâneas equidistantes foram induzidas na região dorsal de 20 coelhos machos adultos, que foram submetidos a cicatrização por segunda intenção e tratados com creme de quitosana a 5% (QC, n = 5), creme de barbatimão a 5% (BC, n = 5), creme de alantoína a 2% (CA, n = 5), e base de creme (NC; n = 5). A aplicação de creme foi realizada com o auxílio de espátulas descartáveis e, antes deste, cada ferida foi lavada. As feridas foram analisadas por meio de exames clínicos diários durante 21 dias corridos e por análises histológicas no 3º, 14ª e 21º dias após a indução. As feridas de todos os grupos apresentaram características macroscópicas correspondentes com os observados no processo de cicatrização na avaliação microscópica nos diferentes intervalos de tempo. Os cremes debarbatimão a 5% e de quitosana a 5% ajudaram no processo de reparação da pele em coelhos quando comparado com os demais tratamentos, uma vez que foi fornecida a activação de fibroblastos e a deposição de colagénio no início, e modulada a reepitelização e neovascularização. Concluiu-se que os cremes de barbatimão a 5% e quitosana a 5% são eficiente e economicamente viáveis como adjuvante no tratamento do processo de cicatrização de feridas cutâneas em coelhos

2-Allylphenol Reduces IL-1β and TNF-α, Promoting Antinociception through Adenosinergic, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antioxidant Mechanisms

2-Allylphenol (2-AP) is a synthetic phenylpropanoid, structurally related to cardanol, thymol, and ortho-eugenol. Phenylpropanoids are described in the literature as being capable of promoting biological activity. Due to the similarity between 2-AP and other bioactive phenylpropanoids, the present research aims at evaluating the antioxidant, antinociceptive, and anti-inflammatory potential of 2-AP in silico, in vitro, and in vivo. At 30 min prior to the start of in vivo pharmacological testing, administration of 2-AP (25, 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg i.p.), morphine (6 mg/kg i.p.), dexamethasone (2 mg/kg s.c.), or vehicle alone was performed. In the acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing tests, pretreatment with 2-AP significantly reduced the number of abdominal writhes, as well as decreased licking times in the glutamate and formalin tests. Investigation of the mechanism of action using the formalin model led to the conclusion that the opioid system does not participate in its activity. However, the adenosinergic system is involved. In the peritonitis tests, 2-AP inhibited leukocyte migration and reduced releases of proinflammatory mediators TNF-α and IL-1β. In vitro antioxidant assays demonstrated that 2-AP presents significant ability to sequester superoxide radicals. In silico docking studies confirmed interaction between 2-AP and the adenosine A2a receptor through hydrogen bonds with the critical asparagine 253 residues present in the active site. Investigation of 2-AP demonstrated its nociception inhibition and ability to reduce reactive oxygen species. Its interaction with A2a receptors may well be related to proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β reduction activity, corroborating its antinociceptive effect

Outbreak of acute gastroenteritis in young children with death due to rotavirus genotype G9 in Rio Branco, Brazilian Amazon region, 2005

This study was supported by federal funds from the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq; grants 303539/2004–6 and 303475/2005–6), Oswaldo Cruz Institute– FIOCRUZ.Ministry of Health. Secretariat of Health Surveillance. Field Epidemiology Training Program. Brasília, DF, Brazil.Ministry of Health. Secretariat of Health Surveillance. Field Epidemiology Training Program. Brasília, DF, Brazil.Ministry of Health. Secretariat of Health Surveillance. Field Epidemiology Training Program. Brasília, DF, Brazil.Ministry of Health. Secretariat of Health Surveillance. Field Epidemiology Training Program. Brasília, DF, Brazil.Ministry of Health. Secretariat of Health Surveillance. Field Epidemiology Training Program. Brasília, DF, Brazil / Ministry of Health. Secretariat of Health Surveillance. Waterborne and Foodborne Infectious Diseases Coordination. Brasília, DF, Brazil.Ministry of Health. Secretariat of Health Surveillance. Field Epidemiology Training Program. Brasília, DF, Brazil / Ministry of Health. Secretariat of Health Surveillance. Waterborne and Foodborne Infectious Diseases Coordination. Brasília, DF, Brazil.Ministry of Health. Secretariat of Health Surveillance. Field Epidemiology Training Program. Brasília, DF, Brazil.Ministry of Health. Secretariat of Health Surveillance. Waterborne and Foodborne Infectious Diseases Coordination. Brasília, DF, Brazil.Acre State Secretariat of Health. Department of Epidemiological Surveillance. Rio Branco, AC, Brazil.Acre State Secretariat of Health. Department of Epidemiological Surveillance. Rio Branco, AC, Brazil.Ministry of Health. Oswaldo Cruz Foundation. Oswaldo Cruz Institute. Laboratory of Comparative Virology. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.Ministry of Health. Oswaldo Cruz Foundation. Oswaldo Cruz Institute. Laboratory of Comparative Virology. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Ministry of Health. Secretariat of Health Surveillance. Public Health Laboratory Network. Brasília, DF, Brazil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Ministry of Health. Oswaldo Cruz Foundation. Oswaldo Cruz Institute. Laboratory of Comparative Virology. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.Ministry of Health. Secretariat of Health Surveillance. Field Epidemiology Training Program. Brasília, DF, Brazil / Ministry of Health. Oswaldo Cruz Foundation. Gonçalo Moniz Institute. Salvador, BA, Brazil.Ministry of Health. Secretariat of Health Surveillance. Field Epidemiology Training Program. Brasília, DF, Brazil / Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Coordinating Office for Global Health. Division of Global Public Health Capacity Development. Atlanta, Georgia, USA.An epidemic of acute gastroenteritis occurred in Rio Branco City, Acre State, in Brazil's Amazon region in 2005. An investigation was conducted to confirm the etiology and identify possible risk factors for death. Methods: Rio Branco municipality surveillance data for the period May to October 2005 were reviewed. In a caseûcontrol study, children who died following acute gastroenteritis were compared to age-matched controls with acute gastroenteritis who survived. Rotavirus A (RV-A) was investigated in 799 stool samples and genotyped by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: The cumulative incidence of diarrhea in children aged 5 years was 21 percent. A fatal outcome was significantly associated with uncovered household water storage containers. RV-A was identified in 88 percent of samples and G9 was the prevalent genotype (71 percent). Conclusions: Oral rehydration solution and boiling or chlorinating drinking water likely limited mortality. This epidemic was caused by RV-A genotype G9. After the outbreak, a rotavirus vaccine was introduced into the official childhood immunization schedule in Brazil