Avaliação da contaminação por organofosforados em águas superficiais no município de Rondinha - Rio Grande do Sul

Water pollution is a serious environmental problem. In Rondinha, Rio Grande do Sul, on a small area planted with tobacco, it has been using organophosphates pesticides. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the organophosphates pesticides contamination of the superficial water in this municipality. The samples collected in fifteen places were evaluated by the method of organophosphates acethylcolinestherase inhibition. In five samples the organophosphates levels were above the limit established by CONAMA, indicating the necessity of arrangements that allow reducing the risk of the population and the environment contamination

Impacto da exigência do exame para substâncias psicoativas no consumo de anfetaminas por caminhoneiros

Objective: to evaluate the impact of the hair drug testing requirement on amphetamine use by truck drivers. Method: a cross-sectional exploratory descriptive study was conducted, with data collection in the Metropolitan Region of the capital of Rio Grande do Sul. To characterize the population and assess the impact of the test requirement, we applied a structured instrument with questions about personal and occupational information, use of amphetamines, Law 13,103/2015, and the hair test. Results: a total of 97 drivers were interviewed, with a mean age of 38 years, 99% were male. Regarding the use of amphetamines, 20.6% admitted to using this substance, being possible to observe that the number of users is higher among self-employed drivers and those who travel long distances (p<0.05). Conclusion: this study indicates that the requirement of hair testing for drug use did not reduce the consumption of amphetamines by truck drivers. The other information collected points out, as possible causes, the working conditions and the poor road conditions, which require long working hours, as well as the ease of acquiring drugs and false reports for the tests.Objetivo: avaliar o impacto da exigência do exame para drogas em cabelos no consumo de anfetaminas por motoristas de caminhão. Método: realizou-se um estudo exploratório descritivo, de corte transversal, com coleta de dados na Região Metropolitana da capital do Rio Grande do Sul. Para caracterizar a população e avaliar o impacto da exigência do exame, foi aplicado um instrumento estruturado com perguntas a respeito de informações pessoais, ocupacionais, uso de anfetaminas, sobre a Lei nº 13.103/2015 e o teste em cabelo. Resultados: foram entrevistados 97 motoristas, com idade média de 38 anos, sendo 99% do gênero masculino. Sobre o uso de anfetaminas, 20,6% admitiram fazer uso dessa substância, sendo possível observar que o número de usuários é maior entre os motoristas autônomos e que percorrem longas distâncias (p<0,05). Conclusão: este estudo indica que a exigência da realização de exames para a detecção do uso de drogas em cabelos não reduziu o consumo de anfetaminas por motoristas de caminhão. As demais informações coletadas apontam, como possíveis causas, as condições de trabalho e as péssimas condições das estradas, as quais exigem a realização de longas jornadas de trabalho, bem como a facilidade para adquirir drogas e laudos falsos para os exames.Objetivo: evaluar el impacto del requisito de examen de drogas en el cabello en el consumo de anfetaminas por parte de los conductores de camiones. Método: se realizó un estudio exploratorio descriptivo, transversal, con recolección de datos en Región Metropolitana de la capital de Rio Grande do Sul. Para caracterizar a la población y evaluar el impacto del requisito de examen, se aplicó un instrumento estructurado con preguntas sobre información personal y ocupacional, uso de anfetaminas, sobre la ley 13.103/2015 y la prueba del cabello. Resultados: se entrevistó a 97 conductores, con una edad promedio de 38 años, de los cuales el 99% eran hombres. Con respecto al uso de anfetaminas, el 20,6% admitió haber usado esta sustancia, y es posible observar que el número de usuarios es mayor entre los conductores autónomos y que viajan largas distancias (p <0.05). Conclusión: este estudio indica que la exigencia de realizar pruebas para detectar consumo de drogas en el cabello no redujo el consumo de anfetaminas por parte de los camioneros. El resto de la información recopilada señala, como posibles causas, las condiciones laborales y las pésimas condiciones de las carreteras, que exigen largas jornadas laborales, así como la facilidad para adquirir drogas y los informes falsos para los exámenes

Óleo essencial de frutos de Callistemon rigidus H.Br., cultivado no Rio Grande do Sul

Analisando-se por cromatografia gasosa a composição química do óleo essencial dos frutos de CALLISTEMON RIGIDUS H.Br., arbusto cultivado para os fins ornamentais, determinou-se 39,1 % de 1,8-epoxi-p-mentano entre outros 3 componentes encontrados em menores proporções.Determination of CALLISTEMON RIGIDUS H.Br. fruits essential oil, cultivated ornamental shrub, showed 39,1% of 1,8 - epoxi-p-mentano as the major compound and 3 minor constituents. The investigation was made by GLC

Smoking fewer than 20 cigarettes per day and remaining abstinent for more than 12 hours reduces carboxyhemoglobin levels in packed red blood cells for transfusion

The prevalence of smokers among blood donors and the effect of smoking on the quality of donated blood have not been extensively explored. In the present study, we determined the prevalence of smoker donors in a large blood bank in Southern Brazil and evaluated the quality of packed red blood cells (RBCs) from these donors through recommended quality control tests and measurement of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels. We then assessed the influence of smoking habits and abstinence before donation on these parameters. Material and methods An observational study was conducted to determine the prevalence of smoking donors, while a prospective cohort study compared conventional hematological and serological parameters and COHb levels at 0, 15, and 30 days after donation in RBCs donated by smokers (N = 31) and nonsmokers (N = 31) and their association with smoking habits and abstinence before donation. Results Of 14,428 blood donations received in 1 year, 5.9% were provided by smokers. Storage over time slightly altered some quality parameters, such as hematocrit, hemoglobin, hemolysis, and COHb levels, in RBC packs. COHb levels were higher in RBC packs from smokers (8%) than from non-smokers (2%), and increased as a function of the number of cigarettes smoked daily and time elapsed since the last cigarette smoked before donation. Lower levels were found in RBC packs from donors who smoked fewer than 20 cigarettes per day or remained abstinent for more than 12h before giving blood. Conclusion Although cigarette smoke had no significant effect on blood quality parameters such as hematocrit, hemoglobin, or hemolysis, it quadrupled COHb levels in packed RBCs. Abstinence from smoking for more than 12h or smoking fewer than 20 cigarettes daily helped decrease COHb levels. Implications Given the increasing prevalence of tobacco use worldwide, we suggest blood banks recommend 12h of tobacco abstinence before donation and analyze COHb levels in donated blood as an approach to reduce risk for high-risk recipients

Aspectos farmacognósticos e perfil cromatográfico dos constituintes de Bacharis articulata Lam. Pers. Compositae

Contribuição analítica dos aspectos farmacognósticos de uma das “carquejas” utilizadas na medicina popular do Rio Grande do Sul: avaliação macroscópica e microscópica do farmacógeno e perfil cromatográfico de componentes químicos de Baccharis articulata (Lam.)Pers. Compositae.Pharmacognostic charaterization of Baccharis articulata Lam. (Pers.), Compositae. The study was done by macro and microscopic evaluation of the crude drug and of the chromatographic profile of the chemical constituents in the fractioned extracts

Aspectos farmacognósticos e perfil cromatográfico dos constituintes de Bacharis articulata Lam. Pers. Compositae

Contribuição analítica dos aspectos farmacognósticos de uma das “carquejas” utilizadas na medicina popular do Rio Grande do Sul: avaliação macroscópica e microscópica do farmacógeno e perfil cromatográfico de componentes químicos de Baccharis articulata (Lam.)Pers. Compositae.Pharmacognostic charaterization of Baccharis articulata Lam. (Pers.), Compositae. The study was done by macro and microscopic evaluation of the crude drug and of the chromatographic profile of the chemical constituents in the fractioned extracts