Analysis of an astounding aggregation of Ranzania laevis (Molidae: Actinopterygii) in the tropical south-western Atlantic.

Unusual catches of more than 4200 kg of the slender sunfish Ranzania laevis are described from the south-western Atlantic, corresponding to the largest aggregation records for the species. These unexpected records were associated with unusually warm currents in the area. Males and females were physiologically able to spawn at the moment of capture, suggesting the occurrence of reproductive aggregation in this species.

O consumo de álcool em serviços de saúde mental no Rio Grande do Sul / Consumption of alcohol in mental health services in Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil

INTRODUÇÃO: Segundo a Organização Mundial de Saúde, em 2004, aproximadamente 76,3 milhões de pessoas apresentaram problemas com o uso do álcool e o alcoolismo era uma das maiores preocupações de saúde pública. Portanto, os riscos decorrentes da associação de transtornos psiquiátricos com o uso de álcool devem ser considerados no contexto dos serviços de saúde mental. OBJETIVO: Analisar o consumo de álcool dos usuários de Serviço Residencial Terapêutico (SRT) e do Centro de Atenção Psicossocial (CAPS) no Rio Grande do Sul. Metodologia: O estudo é um recorte da pesquisa REDESUL ­ Redes que Reabilitam, de setembro a dezembro de 2009, em cinco municípios do Rio Grande do Sul. A amostra total foi de 392 usuários, desses, 143 eram do SRT e 270 eram dos CAPS, com uma intersecção de 21 usuários. RESULTADOS: Os resultados mostraram que dos 392 usuários dos SRT e CAPS, apenas 29 tinham consumido bebida alcoólica nas últimas quatro semanas. Desses 29, a maioria apresentou idade entre 31 e 59 anos, era do sexo masculino, solteiro e apenas n = 13 (48,28%) relataram conhecer seu transtorno psiquiátrico, havendo prevalência da esquizofrenia n = 7 (24,13%), seguida dos transtornos bipolares n = 3 (10,34%). CONCLUSÃO: É necessário que as equipes de saúde mental estejam capacitadas para atuar também com os usuários de álcool, independente do tipo de serviço de saúde mental em que atuem, e que elas desenvolvam ações em relação à orientação sobre o consumo do álcool, a adesão ao tratamento, a reabilitação e a inserção dos usuários na comunidade

INTRODUCTION: Alcoholism has been a major concern of public health worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 76.3 million people presented problems of alcohol abuse in 2004. Therefore, the risks arising from the association of psychiatric disorders with alcohol consumption should also be considered in the context of mental health services. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze alcohol consumption by the users of Therapeutic Residential Services- SRT and Psychosocial Care Centers- CAPS in five municipalities in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. METHODOLOGY: The present study is part of a research entitled Rehabilitation Networks - REDESUL, carried out from September to December 2009 in five municipalities of the aforementioned Brazilian state. The total sample comprised 392 users: 143 from the SRT and 270 from the CAPS services, with intersection of 21 members. RESULTS: The results showed that of the 392 care service users, only 29 had consumed alcohol during the four weeks prior to the survey. The majority of these 29 users were between 31 and 59 years old, male, single, and only n = 13 (48.28%) reported being aware of their psychiatric disorders, with prevalence of schizophrenia n = 7 (24.13%) followed by bipolar isorders n = 3 (10.34%). CONCLUSION: It is necessary that the mental health teams are also trained to work with alcohol users, regardless of the type of mental health service they work for, and that they develop actions in relation to guidance on alcohol consumption, treatment adherence, rehabilitation, and integration of users to the community

Characterization of indoor dust from Brazil and evaluation of the cytotoxicity in A549 lung cells.

Over the past decade, ambient air particulate matter (PM) has been clearly associated with adverse health effects. In Brazil, small and poor communities are exposed to indoor dust derived from both natural sources, identified as blowing soil dust, and anthropogenic particles from mining activities. This study investigates the physicochemical and mineralogical composition of indoor PM10 dust samples collected in Minas Gerais, Brazil, and evaluates its cytotoxicity and inflammatory potential. The mean PM10 mass concentration was 206 µg/m(3). The high dust concentration in the interior of the residences is strongly related to blowing soil dust. The chemical and mineralogical compositions were determined by ICP-OES and XRD, and the most prominent minerals were clays, Fe-oxide, quartz, feldspars, Al(hydr)oxides, zeolites, and anatase, containing the transition metals Fe, Cr, V, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ti, and Mn as well as the metalloid As. The indoor dust samples presented a low water solubility of about 6 %. In vitro experiments were carried out with human lung alveolar carcinoma cells (A549) to study the toxicological effects. The influence of the PM10 dust samples on cell viability, intracellular formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and release of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-8 was analysed. The indoor dust showed little effects on alamarBlue reduction indicating unaltered mitochondrial activity. However, significant cell membrane damage, ROS production, and IL-8 release were detected in dependence of dose and time. This study will support the implementation of mitigation actions in the investigated area in Brazil.

Catatonia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and cotard syndrome in a 22-year-old woman: a case report.

The following case study describes a 22-year-old woman with depression and symptoms of psychosis who developed neuroleptic malignant syndrome after using Risperidone, thus requiring life support equipment and Bromocriptine, later recovering after seven days. From a psychiatric and neurological point of view, however, the persistence of catatonic syndrome and Cotard syndrome delusions was observed, based on assertions such as "I do not have a heart," "my heart is not beating," "I can not breathe," "I am breaking apart," "I have no head" (ideas of negation) and statements about the patient being responsible for the "death of the whole world" (ideas of enormity). Brain NMR revealed leukoencephalopathy, interpreted as scar lesions caused by perinatal neurological damage, after discarding other pathologies. The patient responded well to electroconvulsive therapy after 11 sessions. Organic vulnerability to these syndromes, as well as their coexistence and clinical differentiation is discussed in the light of the data observed.

Controlling domestic life and mental illness: spiritual and aftercare resources used by Dominican New Yorkers.

This research addresses the differential use of spiritual and mental health resources by 15 Dominican migrant women with major psychiatric disorders in Northern Manhattan. Methods included interviews and participant observation with patients, kin, and mental health staff. Structured instruments were used to examine patients' networks and functioning. Folk and popular healing traditions, adopted by some patients and kin through private observances or through a connection with a healer, yielded symbolic supports, companionship for patients, and ways of communicating and coping with distress. Episodes of health-seeking revealed multiple participants competing for control of the patients' lives and illness careers. Consultations with healers offered family members potential mastery over illness and domestic life, with no surrender of centrality, dignity or control in the quest for care.

Lesiones cutáneas del síndrome antifosfolípido / Cutaneous lesions of the antiphospholipid syndrome

El síndrome antifosfolípido en una entidad caracterizada por la presencia de un anticuerpo antifosfolípido circulante, asociado a manifestaciones cutánea y/o sistemáticas. Se presenta un caso donde se destacan las manifestaciones cutáneas típicas y se hace una revisión de la literatura