The determination of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in raw cow milks have never been reported in Brazil. Since the consumption of food of animal ...origin, including milk and dairy products, is the major source of human exposure to these compounds, this study aimed to establish the levels and profile of seven PCDDs and ten PCDFs in raw cow milk samples collected in eight Brazilian states which among the major milk producer states. Raw milk samples were collected in 34 different dairy cattle farms during the summer of 2013. All PCDD/Fs congeners were found at least in some of the 34 samples studied. The octa-chlorinated congeners (OCDD and OCDF) were ubiquitous and also present in high concentrations. The mean values of WHO-TEQ1998;2005 were respectively 1.66 and 1.36pgTEQg−1 fat and samples taken in São Paulo showed the highest WHO-TEQ values (2.46 TEQ1998g−1 fat and 2.10pgTEQ2005g−1 fat). Although all samples showed some contamination level, all values were below the limit established by European Union for total PCDD/Fs in cow milk (3pgWHO-TEQ1998g−1 fat). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed that OCDD and OCDF were responsible for 73% and 20% of the total data variance, respectively and they presented an independent behavior, probably as a result of distinct origins. The use of TEQ as weights in the PCA, revealed the importance of the penta-chloro congeners and it was possible to identify sample distribution patterns probably associated with the main PeCDD and PeCDF. The importance of local sources to PCDD/Fs concentrations is still to be evaluated and determined.
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•Selected (2,3,7,8-substituted) PCDD/Fs were determined in Brazilian raw cow milks.•All samples of Brazilian cow milk contained some or all 2,3,7,8-substituted PCDD/Fs at some level.•PCDD/Fs concentrations in Brazilian cow milk were below the limit established by EU.
Amphibians are the focus of a recent debate and public attention owing to the global decline in their populations worldwide. Amphibians are one of the most threatened and poorly known groups of ...vertebrates in several geographic areas, even though they play a central role in their own ecosystems. At different levels, amphibians make their contribution to proper ecosystem functioning. They act as regulators of the food web and nutrient cycling, and they also provide several valuable ecosystem services, e.g., as a food source and as animal models for lab research. In this sense, it seems clear that the maintenance of amphibian diversity should be one of the major goals for the several countries where their population decline is observed. However, we are still struggling with the very first step of this process, i.e., the correct identification of the amphibian species diversity. Over the past few decades, research on molecular identification of amphibians using DNA barcoding has encountered some difficulties related to high variability in the mitochondrial genome of amphibians, and a research gap is noticeable in the literature. We herein evaluated both COI and 16S rRNA mitochondrial genes for the molecular identification of frogs and tadpoles in a large fragment of the South American Atlantic Rainforest in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Our results suggest that both COI and 16S rRNA are informative markers for the molecular identification of the amphibian specimens with all specimens unambiguously identified at the species level. We also made publicly available 12 new sequences of Atlantic Rainforest amphibian species for the first time, and we discussed some conservation issues related to amphibians within the Atlantic Rainforest domains in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Lionfish (
Pterois
spp.) evolved in the Indo-Pacific with predators and prey and invaded regions (e.g., the Caribbean Sea and Mediterranean) where no such balance yet exists. In 2020, four lionfish ...were recorded on mesophotic reefs of the Amazon offshore Coast and Fernando de Noronha Archipelago. However, until now, there were no records of invasive lionfish in Brazilian nearshore waters or even such a high number of individuals. In this article, we report the continuing invasion process along the Brazilian Province by multiple sightings (72) of lionfish from March to May 2022 in estuaries, seagrass beds, and artificial and natural reefs across 240 km of the Brazilian coast. These are the first records of lionfish in coastal northeast Brazil and the shallowest records (1–16 m) from South Atlantic tropical waters. The largest simultaneous records of lionfish in breakwaters, fishing weirs, and
marambaias
(artificial reefs used as fishing grounds) on the Brazilian Northeastern coast indicate that these man-made structures are suitable habitats for this species. Most of the lionfish (58%) were recorded in artificial reefs and fishing weirs. Moreover, the detection of invasions in marginal reefs, estuaries, and two marine protected areas characterized by moderately turbid water and high sedimentation rates highlights the adaptability of the lionfish, making it extremely difficult for divers and fishers to capture them. We call for an urgent management plan considering that the invaded tropical region hosts a high level of endemism, and rare and/or cryptic taxa, which increases the risk of impacts since these are primary lionfish prey.
The G894T polymorphism in endothelial nitric oxide synthase enzyme gene plays an important role in heart failure (HF) and its frequency varies among populations. We investigated this association in ...highly admixed samples in terms of ancestry. The cohort included 210 HF patients and 106 healthy individuals. Self-reported race and NYHA class were analyzed for HF patients. G894T polymorphism was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and by restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. Ancestry was estimated using a PCR reaction containing 46 autosomal ancestry informative markers and an analysis by capillary electrophoresis. The GG homozygous genotype had a higher frequency in HF patients (63.8%) than in healthy individuals (48.1%), showing an increased chance (odds ratio 1.90, 95% confidence interval 1.18–3.05). The ancestry profiles in patients and controls were similar, with a major European contribution (57.1% and 63.2%), followed by African (30.2% and 24.0%) and Native American (12.7% and 12.8%), without a significant difference between both samples (p = 0.28). The GG genotype is associated to HF prognosis, and this association remains present in highly admixed sample groups.
•Heart failure can be influenced by genetic polymorphisms.•Nitric oxide synthase enzyme plays an important role in the disease.•The G894T polymorphism varies the frequency among populations ancestries.•Individuals with GG genotype have more chance of developing heart failure.
Belminus herreri , originally described from specimens collected in
Panama, was considered entirely silvatic until to 2000 when it was
found for the first time in a domestic habitat in Colombia. In ...2001,
during a new search of houses in the Department of Cesar, Colombia, 121
specimens were collected. Study of their feeding sources using an ELISA
test revealed that 96% of these specimens had fed on cockroaches
(Blattidae). However, a small proportion of these B. herreri specimens
also showed the presence of Trypanosoma cruzi in their gut contents,
suggesting a possible role for these insects in the epidemiology of
Chagas disease.
The importance of thrombosis and anticoagulation in clinical practice is rooted firmly in several fundamental constructs that can be applied both broadly and globally. Awareness and the appropriate ...use of anticoagulant therapy remain the keys to prevention and treatment. However, to assure maximal efficacy and safety, the clinician must, according to the available evidence, choose the right drug, at the right dose, for the right patient, under the right indication, and for the right duration of time. The first
International Symposium of Thrombosis and Anticoagulation in Internal Medicine
was a scientific program developed by clinicians for clinicians. The primary objective of the meeting was to educate, motivate and inspire internists, cardiologists and hematologists by convening national and international visionaries, thought-leaders and dedicated clinician-scientists in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This article is a focused summary of the symposium proceedings.
Recent studies have shown substantial increases in the survival of AIDS patients in developed countries and in Brazil as a result of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and prophylaxis for opportunistic ...infections. This study compares survival rates using the Brazilian Ministry of Health 2004 and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 1993 case definitions in a large HIV/AIDS referral centre in Rio de Janeiro.
Survival after AIDS diagnosis was assessed in a clinic-based cohort of 1415 individuals using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models.
There were 393 (88%) deaths from AIDS-related causes and 52 (12%) from unrelated or unknown causes. A total of 205 patients (14%) were lost to follow-up and 765 patients (55%) remained alive until the end of the study. Three-quarters of patients (75%) were still alive 22 months 95% confidence interval (CI) 19-26 after the AIDS diagnosis according to the CDC case definition and 31 months (95% CI 26-36) according to the Ministry of Health case definition. Independent predictors of survival included AIDS defined by CD4 cell count and any use of highly active antiretroviral therapy, with either case definition, and initial stage of the case, with the Ministry of Health case definition.
Survival observed in this reference centre is comparable or longer than other international studies, although the choice of case definition criterion influenced findings. Adoption of the Ministry of Health case definition may enhance the ability to track the use of and outcomes from ART among AIDS patients.
For the first time, the eggs and all instars of a species of the Indian genus Linshcosteus are described using morphometrics and optical and scanning electron microscopy. Linshcosteus karupusGalvão, ...Patterson, Rocha & Jurberg, 2002 was recently described from near Kalakkadu, Tamil Nadu State, southern India. In addition, current knowledge and the importance of morphological studies of immature Triatominae are discussed.
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