Organohalogen compounds in a hotspot for chemical pollution: Assessment in free-ranging Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis)

The assessment of chemical pollution in free-ranging living mammals is viable using remote biopsies and portrays a comprehensive scenario of environmental health. The Southwestern Atlantic Ocean holds incredible biodiversity, but it is under the constant and invisible threat of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) of anthropogenic origin, such as pesticides, brominated flame retardants, and industrial-use compounds (e.g., PCBs). Thus, this study aimed to assess the bioaccumulation of POPs (PCBs, DDTs, HCB, mirex and PBDEs) and natural organobromine compounds (MeO-BDEs) using gas-chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry in biopsy samples of Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis, n = 20) that inhabit and forage both inside and in adjacent areas to degraded (Guanabara Bay) and conserved (Ilha Grande Bay) coastal bays in the Southeastern Brazil. Among the studied compounds, PCBs were predominant in the contamination profile with median concentration of 97.0 μg.g-1 lipid weight (lw), followed by the sum of the p,p' isomers of DDT, DDD, and DDE of 11.0 μg.g-1 lw, the brominated flame retardants PBDEs of 1.6 μg.g-1 lw, and the other organochlorine pesticides mirex of 0.78 μg.g-1 lw, and HCB of 0.049 μg.g-1 lw. The MeO-BDEs were detected with a median concentration of 22.8 μg.g-1 lw. 85 % of the Atlantic spotted dolphins analyzed in this study presented PCB concentration that exceeded even the less conservative threshold limits for adverse health effects (41 μg.g-1 lw). This study shows that despite the conservation status of preserved bays, cetacean species foraging in these locations are still under increased threat. Hence chemical pollution demands local and global efforts to be mitigated.

The use of non-surgical glue to repair perineal first-degree lacerations in normal birth: A non-inferiority randomised trial

BACKGROUND AND PROBLEM

Surgical glue has been indicated for uncomplicated operatory wounds; however, it has a considerable cost. Non-surgical glue, a commercially available and cheaper product, has not been studied for repairing postpartum lacerations.

AIM

To compare non-surgical glue to traditional sutures on perineal first-degree lacerations after normal birth.

METHODS

In a prospective, open-label, non-inferiority, randomised controlled trial, we selected childbearing women who were admitted for normal term births and in whom skin lacerations occurred. They were assigned to laceration repair using either non-surgical glue (ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate; Glue group) or catgut sutures (Suture group). The primary endpoint was the occurrence of dehiscence >3mm. Secondary endpoints were procedure runtime, pain score, satisfaction level, and aspects of perineal repair by the REEDA score (hyperaemia, oedema, ecchymosis, exudation, and coaptation) immediately (T0), 24-48h (T1), and 7-10 days (T2) after childbirth.

FINDINGS

We included 126 women, 63 in each group, and found a non-inferiority dehiscence rate in the Glue Group compared to the Control group (T1=1.6% vs. 1.6%, P=0.999 and P<0.001 for non-inferiority; and T2=2.2% vs. 4.3%, P=0.557). In the Glue Group, the procedure runtime was shorter, pain score was lower, and women's satisfaction was greater. No women had any allergic reaction in the study.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-surgical glue was not inferior to traditional sutures to repair postpartum first-degree lacerations. In addition, non-surgical glue was associated with less pain and greater satisfaction. Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-5Z8MKC).

Underwater noise pollution in a coastal tropical environment

Underwater noise pollution has become a major concern in marine habitats. Guanabara Bay, southeastern Brazil, is an impacted area of economic importance with constant vessel traffic. One hundred acoustic recording sessions took place over ten locations. Sound sources operating within 1 km radius of each location were quantified during recordings. The highest mean sound pressure level near the surface was 111.56±9.0 dB re 1 μPa at the frequency band of 187 Hz. Above 15 kHz, the highest mean sound pressure level was 76.21±8.3 dB re 1 μPa at the frequency 15.89 kHz. Noise levels correlated with number of operating vessels and vessel traffic composition influenced noise profiles. Shipping locations had the highest noise levels, while small vessels locations had the lowest noise levels. Guanabara Bay showed noise pollution similar to that of other impacted coastal regions, which is related to shipping and vessel traffic.

Candida albicans and non-C. albicans Candida species: comparison of biofilm production and metabolic activity in biofilms, and putative virulence properties of isolates from hospital environments and infections

Candida albicans and, more recently, non-C. albicans Candida spp. are considered the most frequent fungi in hospitals. This study analyzed Candida spp. isolates and compared the frequency of different species, that is, C. albicans and non-C. albicans Candida spp., and the origins of isolates, that is, from hospital environments or infections. Yeast virulence factors were evaluated based on biofilm production and metabolic activity. Hemolysin production and the antifungal susceptibility profiles of isolates were also evaluated. Candida spp. were highly prevalent in samples collected from hospital environments, which may provide a reservoir for continuous infections with these yeasts. There were no differences in the biofilm productivity levels and metabolic activities of the environmental and clinical isolates, although the metabolic activities of non-C. albicans Candida spp. biofilms were greater than those of the C. albicans biofilms (p < 0.05). Clinical samples had higher hemolysin production (p < 0.05) and lower susceptibility to fluconazole (p < 0.05). Non-C. albicans Candida spp. predominated in samples collected from hospital environments and infections (p < 0.05). These species had a lower susceptibility to fluconazole and amphotericin B, and their biofilms had higher metabolic activities than those produced by C. albicans, which may explain the increased incidence of fungal infections with these yeasts during recent years.

Study on the embryofeto-toxicity of citral in the rat

Citral, 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadien-1-al, found in the essential oils of a large variety of useful plants, is used as a scenting agent in household products, as a fragrance in cosmetics, and as a food flavouring additive. This study was undertaken to investigate the embryofeto-toxic potential of citral in the rat. Citral (60; 125; 250; 500 and 1000 mg/kg) in corn oil was given orally to Wistar rats from day 6 to 15 of pregnancy. Caesarean sections were carried out on day 21 of pregnancy, and the number of resorptions and implantation sites were recorded. Fetuses were weighed, examined for external malformations, and fixed for visceral examination, or cleared and stained with Alizarin Red S for skeleton evaluation. A transient decrease in weight gain from days 6 to 11 of gestation at the lowest doses, and a reduction in body weight minus uterine weight at term at the highest doses, indicated that citral was maternally toxic over the dose range tested. A slight but statistically significant increase in the ratio of resorptions per implantations was observed with 60 and 125 mg/kg body weight. Doses higher than 125 mg/kg reduced dose-dependently the ratio of pregnant per mated female. Signs of fetal growth retardation and a higher incidence of minor skeletal abnormalities were found in doses higher than 60 mg/kg. No increase in the frequency of visceral anomalies was found at any dose level, but an increase in fetal spleen weight was observed in doses higher than 125 mg/kg. Therefore, data presented in this paper indicate that the no-observed adverse effect level for embryofeto-toxicity is lower than 60 mg citral/kg body weight p.o.

Study on embryo-foetotoxicity of beta-myrcene in the rat

beta-Myrcene is a constituent of many essential oils that have been used extensively in cosmetic fragrances and as flavouring additives in the food industry. Recently, this monoterpene was reported to be an analgesic substance. Notwithstanding the widespread use of myrcene and essential oils containing myrcene in perfume and in food additives, experimental studies on the toxicity of this substance are still scarce. This study aimed to provide data on the embryo-foetotoxic potential of beta-myrcene in the rat. beta-Myrcene (0.25, 0.5 and 1.2 g/kg) in corn oil was given orally to Wistar rats from day 6 to 15 of pregnancy. Caesarean sections were performed on day 20 of pregnancy, and the number of resorptions and implantation sites were recorded. Foetuses were weighed, examined for external malformations, and fixed for visceral examination, or cleared and stained with Alizarin Red S for skeleton evaluation. No adverse effects were seen with the two lowest doses tested. Decreased weight gain during the first days of treatment and the death of one of 29 treated dams indicated that the highest dose tested (1.2 g/kg) induced maternal toxicity. A higher incidence of signs of retardation and of anomalies in the foetal skeleton indicated that 1.2 g/kg was also toxic to the rat embryo. From the data presented in this paper the no-observed-adverse-effect level for embryo-foetotoxicity could be set at 0.5 g beta-myrcene/kg body weight.

[Precocious puberty caused by intracranial tumors]

São relatados 4 casos de puberdade precoce conseqüentes a tumores intracranianos: um teratoma adulto do ventrículo lateral, um astrocitoma protoplasmático do terceiro ventrículo e diencéfalo, um astroblastoma do ter- ceiro ventrículo e diencéfalo e um hamartoma hipotalâmico. São apresentadas teorias que tentam explicar os mecanismos hormonais envolvidos e é salientada a importância do diagnóstico neuroradiológico preciso, pela possibilidade de cura em alguns casos e de tratamento satisfatório nos demais.

[Hemifacial spasm: results of surgical treatment in 14 cases]

Quatorze pacientes com espasmo hemifacial foram submetidos a exploração cirúrgica e neurolise do 7º par craniano no ângulo ponto-cerebelar. Em 7 pacientes havia indubitável compressão do nervo facial por alça anômala da artéria cerebelar anterior e inferior sendo que um paciente também apresentava malformação de Arnold-Chiari. Em um paciente havia aracnoidite envolvendo o nervo. Em 6 outros, o nervo achava-se aparentemente livre. Houve alívio imediato e duradouro do espasmo em 10 pacientes, 2 permaneceram inalterados e um apresentou recidiva após 10 meses. Houve um óbito no pós-operatório imediato, conseqüente a traumatismo craniano por queda do paciente.

[Post-irradiation cervical myelopathy simulating spinal cord tumor]

Os autores relatam um caso de paciente de 25 anos, masculino, submetido a radioterapia cervical por carcinoma indiferenciado do rinofaringe com metástases ganglionares. Seis meses depois desenvolveu tetraparesia progressiva com exames liquórico e mielográfico compatíveis com diagnóstico de tumor intramedular. O exame histopatológico revelou aspecto característico da mielopatia após irradiação.