ABSTRACT
This study has as objective to determine total mercury (Total Hg) levels by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 134 individuals edible part of Mullus argentinae, in two different fishing areas and two seasons in Rio de Janeiro State. Also, proximate composition was performed. Total Hg results in wet weight basis ranged from 0.0867 to 0.7476 µg.g-1 in muscle; 0.0023 to 0,1034 µg.g-1 in flippers; and 0.0177 to 0.1849 µg.g-1 in skin. Mean evaluated moisture was 73.39%; protein was 18.76%; lipid concentration of 5.36%; carbohydrates of 2.35%; and ashes were 0.85%.Results showed that Total Hg contents was lower than accepted limits established by regulatory organization. Higher averages were observed in muscle (0.2441 µg.g-1) when compared with skin (0.2386 µg.g-1) and flippers (0.0195 µg.g-1). In general, samples collected on summer showed higher values of total Hg when comparing to winter. Regarding beach areas there was no significant difference (p>0.05). We can conclude that this specie should be cautious consumed because of total Hg bioaccumulation characteristics, although neither levels were above limits established.
O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar o teor de mercúrio no tecido comestível de Mullus argentinae, conhecido como peixe trilha, espécie amplamente consumida no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Foi determinado o teor de mercúrio total (Hg total) por espectrofotometria de absorção atômica em 134 amostras, coletados em duas áreas e estações climáticas diferentes. Além disso, foi avaliada a composição centesimal das amostras. Os resultados de Hg total em peso úmido variaram de 0,0867 a 0,7476 µg.g-1 no músculo; 0,0023 a 0,1034 µg.g-1 nas nadadeiras; e 0,0177 a 0,1849 µg.g-1 na pele. Os valores médios da composição centesimal foram de 73,30% de umidade, 18,76% de proteína, 5,36% de lipídios, 2,35% de carboidratos e 0,85% de matéria mineral. Os resultados das 134 amostras analisadas demostraram que os teores de Hg Total apresentam concentração inferior aos limites aceitos pelos órgãos reguladores. As maiores médias foram observadas no músculo (0,2441 µg.g-1) quando comparadas à pele (0,2386 µg.g-1) e nadadeiras (0,0195 µg.g-1). Em geral, as amostras coletadas no verão apresentaram maiores valores de Hg total em relação ao inverno. Em relação aos locais de coleta não houve diferença significativa (p> 0,05). Podemos concluir que esta espécie deve ser consumida com cautela devido às características de bioacumulação do Hg total, apesar das médias apresentadas estarem abaixo dos limites estabelecidos pela legislação.
Subject(s)
Animals , Fishes , Bioaccumulation , Mercury , Spectrum Analysis , Fish Proteins/analysisABSTRACT
Upper Gastro-Intestinal Bleeding (UGIB) is one of the common complaints with which patients present to casualty. It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The aetiological spectrum of UGIB is variable in different geographical regions. Our study aimed to analyse the aetiology, endoscopic profile, mortality, Rockall score and predictors of mortality in patients with UGIB, in North East India. METHODSThis cross-sectional study was conducted at Assam Medical College and Hospital in North East India. We enrolled patients with age 12 years and above, who were admitted between July 2019 and January 2020 with a history suggestive of UGIB. Demographic data of the patients was collected, after which they underwent clinical examination, and upper GI endoscopy. Mean ± standard deviation was used to express continuous variables. Frequency and percentage were used to express categorical variables. Test of significance for qualitative data was assessed by Chi-square test (for 2 x 2 tables). P value less than 0.05 was taken as statistically significant. RESULTSWe analysed 117 patients diagnosed with UGIB [80.34 % male, 19.60 % female], ratio of male to female of [4.08:1] was seen. The most common symptom was melena 87 patients (74.15 %), endoscopy finding showed that 48.71 % had oesophageal and / or gastric varices, 26.49 % had peptic ulcers, 17.94 % had gastric erosions / duodenal erosions / erosive gastritis, 1.7 % had Mallory-Weiss tear, 1.7 % had gastric malignancy, 1.7 % had GJ stoma bleed, 1.7 % had both oesophageal varices and peptic ulcer disease. Partial gastric outlet obstruction was observed in peptic ulcer disease in 2 patients (6.45 % of total peptic ulcer disease patients). 73.75 % patients had Rockall score < 5 and 26.49 % patients had Rockall score > 6. H. pylori infection (assessed by RUT) was an independent predictor of upper GI bleed in both variceal and non-variceal bleed [p < 0.001]. The mortality in our study was 7.69 %. Predictors of mortality in the study population were, patients with variceal bleed [p = < 0.001], Rockall score > 6 [p = 0.013], and chronic liver disease [p < 0.001]. The average duration of hospital admission of the study population is about 4.6 + / - 0.4 days. CONCLUSIONSThe study reported oesophageal varices was the most common cause of UGIB, followed by peptic ulcer in North East India. H. pylori was an independent predictor of both variceal and non-variceal bleed. Partial gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) was one of the common benign complication of peptic ulcer disease. Variceal bleed, Rockall score > 6, chronic liver disease were predictors of mortality.
ABSTRACT
A method for the determination of methylmercury in seafood has been developed using dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction followed by direct mercury analyzer. Total mercury was detected by direct mercury analyzer, and inorganic mercury was calculated by the difference. The parameters affecting the extraction efficiency, including the selection of extractant and dispersant, their volume ratio, concentration of HCl and NaCl have been optimized in this study. The results showed that CH2 Cl2 as extractant, ethanol as dispersant, Volume ration of 1:5, 1 mol/L HCl and 120 g/L NaCl were chosen. The detection limit and the dynamic liner range were 0. 10 μg/L and 0. 2-20 μg/L, respectively. The relative standard deviation was 6. 0% for eleven replicates at the spiked level of 2. 0 μg/L. The enrichment factor was 8. For total Hg determination, the detection limit and the dynamic liner range for methylmercury were 0. 10 μg/kg and 0. 2-50 μg/kg, respectively. The relative standard deviation was 2. 4%. The method was simple, fast and a little solvent needed. Some certified reference materials were analyzed to validate the accuracy of the proposed method, and the results were in good agreement with the reference value. Besides, the method was applied to the real samples with satisfactory results.