Wastewater contamination in Antarctic melt-water streams evidenced by virological and organic molecular markers.

Human activities in the Antarctica including tourism and scientific research have been raised substantially in the last century with the concomitant impact on the Antarctic ecosystems through the release of wastewater mainly from different scientific stations activities. The aim of this study was to assess the wastewater contamination of surface waters and sediments of three melt-water streams (11 sites) by leaking septic tanks located in the vicinity of the Uruguayan Scientific Station in the Fildes Peninsula, King George Island, Antarctica, during summer 2015. For this purpose, we combined the analysis of fecal steroids in sediments by using gas chromatography and six enteric viruses in surface waters by quantitative and qualitative PCR. Coprostanol concentrations (from 0.03 to 3.31µgg-1) and fecal steroids diagnostic ratios indicated that stations C7 and C8 located in the kitchen stream presented sewage contamination. Rotavirus was the only enteric virus detected in five sites with concentration ranging from 1.2×105gcL-1 to 5.1×105gcL-1 being three of them located downstream from the leaking AINA and Kitchen septic tanks. This study shows for the first time the presence of both virological and molecular biomarkers of wastewater pollution in surface waters and sediments of three melt-water streams in the vicinity of a scientific station in the Antarctica. These results highlight the importance of the complementation of these biomarkers in two different matrices (surface waters and sediments) to assess wastewater pollution in an Antarctic environment related to anthropogenic activities in the area.

Assessing the ecological quality status of a temperate urban estuary by means of benthic biotic indices.

Benthic indices are commonly used tools for assessing the environmental quality, because they represent a simple source of scientific information. However, their performance could vary depending on the application area and perturbation types, thus they should be tested before used in other remote geographic regions. This study aims to test the use of some of the most widely common benthic biotic indices for assessing the environmental quality of Montevideo's coastal zone at a seasonal scale against many physicochemical variables. From all the evaluated indices, AMBI appears to be the most suitable one to assess the environmental quality. The study also allowed us to infer the most relevant physicochemical variables: protein, lipid and heavy metal sediment concentration. Additionally, site-specific threshold effect levels for heavy metals and biopolymers were established, which appear to be useful to determine tolerable levels of such stressors in future assessments or monitoring programs for the study area.

Spatial distribution of chromium and lead in the benthic environment of coastal areas of the Río De La Plata estuary (Montevideo, Uruguay).

Twenty-four sediment samples were collected seasonally during one year from the partially closed Montevideo Bay and the adjacent coastal zone, in Uruguay, in order to determine the impact of chromium and lead in the sediments. Analysis of related environmental variables included bottom water temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, and several sedimentological variables such as redox potential and total organic matter. Concentrations and range of variation of these two metals were similar to those found in urbanized and industrialized estuarine environments. Metal enrichment is higher in the bay than in the adjacent coastal zone, however an important increase especially in Pb content was detected in an area previously considered as a pristine one. Considering both metal content and benthic environment characteristics, the study area can be clearly divided in at least two well-defined regions. One is the inner region of the bay near the streams, and the outermost stations of the bay and the adjacent coastal zone form the other. The first one can be considered highly polluted and the other moderately polluted. The values of the metals studied indicated that adverse biological effects are probably occurring, specially in the innermost region of Montevideo Bay.

Spatial distribution of chromium and lead in the benthic environment of coastal areas of the Río de la Plata estuary (Montevideo, Uruguai)

Com o intuito de determinar o impacto do cromo e do chumbo na Bahía de Montevidéu e na zona costeira adjacente, foram coletadas sazonalmente, durante um ano, 24 amostras de sedimento de fundo. Simultaneamente, foram analisadas amostras para temperatura, salinidade, pH e oxigênio dissolvido da água de fundo, além de diversas variáveis sedimentológicas, como potencial redox, matéria orgânica total, entre outras. As concentrações das duas espécies de metais estudadas foram similares às reportadas na literatura para áreas estuarinas industrializadas e urbanizadas. O enriquecimento metálico foi maior na baía do que na área costeira adjacente (Punta Carretas e Punta Yeguas), embora um importante enriquecimento, especialmente de chumbo, fosse observado na região de Punta Yeguas, área previamente considerada não impactada. Tendo por base o conteúdo de metais e as características do ambiente bentônico, a área de estudo pode claramente ser dividida em, ao menos, duas regiões distintas. Uma corresponde à região mais interna da Bahía de Montevidéu, perto da desembocadura dos arroios, e a outra, à região mais externa da baía e à região costeira adjacente. A primeira pode ser considerada altamente poluída e a segunda, moderadamente. As concentrações dos metais estudados indicaram que estes provavelmente causam efeito biológico adverso, especialmente sobre a macrofauna, sendo mais acentuado na região interna da baía.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and changes in the trophic structure of polychaete assemblages in sediments of Todos os Santos Bay, Northeastern, Brazil.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the trophic structure of polychaete assemblages were studied in sediments at 28 stations in Todos os Santos Bay. Total PAH concentrations varied from 8 to 4163 ng g(-1) dry weight. The indexes used for the determination of PAH origin suggested both pyrolytic and petrogenic sources. A total of 397 individuals of polychaetes was recorded which were classified in three trophic groups. The PCA ordination resulted in the formation of three groups of stations, Group I characterised by sandy sediments, low organic content, low total PAH concentration and percentage of potentially harmful PAH was dominated by subsurface deposit-feeders. The other two groups (IIa and IIb), showed similar percentages of silt and clay, however, Group IIb formed by those stations with high total organic carbon, total nitrogen, sulphur contents, high total PAH concentration and percentage of potentially harmful PAH was dominated by carnivores. Trophic changes could be explained by the level of exposure to PAH effects relative to differences in the life style and feeding strategies between deposit-feeders and carnivores.

Spatial distribution of the macrozoobenthos in the Solís Grande Stream estuary (Canelones-Maldonado, Uruguay).

The analysis of 24 quantitative macrobenthic samples taken from the Solís Grande Stream estuary yielded 10 species from a total of 4,446 individuals. It was verified that both species richness and diversity was lower than those recorded in nearby regions with similar environmental conditions. In contrast with other studies, a marked dominance of any of the present species was not verified. All the species recorded correspond to typical estuarine organisms. Abundance data were analysed with multivariate techniques and the results showed a relationship with salinity, mean diameter and the percentage of fine sand. According to the cluster analysis and the canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) four groups of stations were defined. The partition out of total variation of the species data showed that the amount of variation explained by the space alone was low. Spatial patterns observed and their possible causes are analysed and discussed in relation to the natural factors that acts in this coastal ecosystem.

Spatial distribution of the macrozoobenthos in the Solís Grande Stream estuary (Canelones-Maldonado, Uruguay)

The analysis of 24 quantitative macrobenthic samples taken from the Solís Grande Stream estuary yielded 10 species from a total of 4,446 individuals. It was verified that both species richness and diversity was lower than those recorded in nearby regions with similar environmental conditions. In contrast with other studies, a marked dominance of any of the present species was not verified. All the species recorded correspond to typical estuarine organisms. Abundance data were analysed with multivariate techniques and the results showed a relationship with salinity, mean diameter and the percentage of fine sand. According to the cluster analysis and the canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) four groups of stations were defined. The partition out of total variation of the species data showed that the amount of variation explained by the space alone was low. Spatial patterns observed and their possible causes are analysed and discussed in relation to the natural factors that acts in this coastal ecosystem.

A análise de 24 amostras quantitativas de macrobentos do estuário do Arroio Solís Grande revelou 10 espécies e um total de 4.446 organismos. A riqueza de espécies e a diversidade foram menores do que as registradas em regiões vizinhas com características ambientais similares. Em contraste com outros estudos, não se verificou grande dominância de nenhuma das espécies presentes. Todas são organismos tipicamente estuarinos. Os dados de abundância foram tratados com técnicas estatísticas multivariadas e os resultados mostraram relação com a salinidade, o diâmetro médio e a porcentagem de areia fina do sedimento. Tanto a análise de agrupamento quanto a análise de correspondência canônica (CCA) revelaram quatro grupos de estações dentro do estuário. A análise de divisão da variação total dos dados mostrou que a variabilidade em decorrência do espaço foi baixa. Os padrões espaciais observados e suas possíveis causas são analisados e discutidos em relação aos fatores naturais que atuam nesse ecossistema costeiro.

Spatial distribution of the macrozoobenthos in the Solís Grande Stream estuary (Canelones-Maldonado, Uruguay)

The analysis of 24 quantitative macrobenthic samples taken from the Solís Grande Stream estuary yielded 10 species from a total of 4,446 individuals. It was verified that both species richness and diversity was lower than those recorded in nearby regions with similar environmental conditions. In contrast with other studies, a marked dominance of any of the present species was not verified. All the species recorded correspond to typical estuarine organisms. Abundance data were analysed with multivariate techniques and the results showed a relationship with salinity, mean diameter and the percentage of fine sand. According to the cluster analysis and the canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) four groups of stations were defined. The partition out of total variation of the species data showed that the amount of variation explained by the space alone was low. Spatial patterns observed and their possible causes are analysed and discussed in relation to the natural factors that acts in this coastal ecosystem

[Perineal hernia]. / Ernia perineale.

The authors base this study on a case of perineal hernia referred to their attention. In the light of the scant international literature on this subject, they focus on the topographical anatomy of the pelvic floor in order to gain a clearer understanding of this pathology, as well as their classification into median, lateral, anterior and posterior forms. Above all, the authors draw attention to the importance of the differential diagnosis of perineal hernia from Bartholin cysts or vulvar tumours in relation to anterior perineal hernia, and perianal abscesses in relation to posterior hernia. They underline the value of ultrasonography or TAC during the diagnostic procedure. Lastly, they examine the channels of aggression for this type of hernia which may be abdominal, perianal or combined (abdominal and peri-anal), as well as the repair techniques used, varying from direct suture with non-absorbable material to the use of prolene mesh or flaps if the hernia breech is very large.

[Cholecysto-biliary fistulas]. / Le fistole colecisto-biliari.

Out of a total of 910 cholecystectomies performed on patients suffering from biliary calculosis, from January 1980 to December 1994 the Authors observed two cases of cholecysto-biliary fistulas (0.2%), a complication which can rarely affect biliary stones. In the light of the international literature and of their own, however, limited experience, the Authors take into account the pathophysiologic and clinical aspects of this pathology. They agree with the literature data on the lack of specificity of the clinical signs and uselessness of preoperative diagnostic tools, the only exception sometimes being E.R.C.P. The Authors find Csendes' cholecysto-biliary fistulas classification extremely useful as far as the subsequent surgical treatment is concerned. The latter should be electric, i.e. evaluation of each single case depending on the type of fistula, its size, conditions of its edges, dilatation of the main bile duct. Surgery may range from a simple suture of the fistula edges with endoluminal drainage, associated or not to surgery of the papilla, to a biliary digestive anastomosis.

[Ischemic colitis: a report of 2 cases of ischemic gangrene of the colon]. / La colite ischemica. A proposito di due casi di gangrena ischemica del colon.

Two personal cases of ischaemic gangrene of the colon required emergency surgery. The two cases provide the basis for a discussion of the aetiopathogenetic, anatomo-pathological and clinical aspects of this pathology. Stress is laid on the fact that ischaemic colitis in its various anatomo-pathological signs is not easy to diagnose and needs early treatment of conservative or emergency surgery type depending on its anatomo-pathological expression.

[Acute diverticulitis of the cecum]. / Diverticolite acuta del cieco.

Following a brief introduction regarding the epidemiology of diverticular disease, the authors report a rare case of diverticulitis of the cecum which had developed into an abscess. The patient was a 37-year-old man who was referred to the authors' attention with classic symptoms of acute appendicitis and it was therefore decided to operate. During laparotomy a small paracecal abscess involving a diverticulum with suppurating infection was found on the anterior wall of the cecum, whereas the appendix appeared to be completely unaffected. The diverticulum was removed together with a small area of the surrounding healthy tissue using a double-layer suture of the cecal wall. In the discussion the authors analyse the similarities and rarities of the case and compare it with national and international findings. Special attention is drawn to the problems of differential diagnosis raised by this rare pathology. In conclusion, the authors state that it is difficult to make a preoperative diagnosis and that therefore the decision to operate must be extemporary.

Levo-norgestrel-nova-T and precancerous lesions of the endometrium.

The authors report the preliminary data on the topical treatment of endometrial hyperplasia by an intrauterine device releasing Levo-norgestrel (LNG-Nova-T), in a series of 31 patients. The patients examined so far by endometrial biopsies performed at predetermined intervals showed a complete histological regression of the hyperplasia, regardless of its pattern.

Hysteroscopy for evaluation of tubal ostium pathology.

A comparison between hysterosalpingography and hysteroscopy in the evaluation of tubal ostium pathology is presented by the authors. They stress in particular the role of hysteroscopy in this evaluation.