Food for all: designing sustainable and secure future seafood systems.

Food from the sea can make a larger contribution to healthy and sustainable diets, and to addressing hunger and malnutrition, through improvements in production, distribution and equitable access to wild harvest and mariculture resources and products. The supply and consumption of seafood is influenced by a range of 'drivers' including ecosystem change and ocean regulation, the influence of corporations and evolving consumer demand, as well as the growing focus on the importance of seafood for meeting nutritional needs. These drivers need to be examined in a holistic way to develop an informed understanding of the needs, potential impacts and solutions that align seafood production and consumption with relevant 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This paper uses an evidence-based narrative approach to examine how the anticipated global trends for seafood might be experienced by people in different social, geographical and economic situations over the next ten years. Key drivers influencing seafood within the global food system are identified and used to construct a future scenario based on our current trajectory (Business-as-usual 2030). Descriptive pathways and actions are then presented for a more sustainable future scenario that strives towards achieving the SDGs as far as technically possible (More sustainable 2030). Prioritising actions that not only sustainably produce more seafood, but consider aspects of access and utilisation, particularly for people affected by food insecurity and malnutrition, is an essential part of designing sustainable and secure future seafood systems. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11160-021-09663-x.

Fasciola hepatica infection in cattle and the use of simulation models for endemic areas.

Fasciolosis is a food-borne disease that causes great distress to a range of hosts, including humans. The objectives of this study were to (1) evaluate the liver damage and carcass weight of cattle naturally infected with Fasciola hepatica from the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil, and to (2) determine the distribution of adult flukes in 12,236 cattle liver from RS. The data from these experiments were used to calculate the overall economic loss due to F. hepatica infection. Eighteen adult Polled Hereford cows were divided into a triclabendazole (TbG) and a F. hepatica-positive group (FhG). For Experiment 1, a generalized linear mixed model revealed a statistical difference in carcass weight (49.8 kg) between TbG and FhG. The Monte Carlo analysis also revealed that the animals' weight differences were due to the disease. For Experiment 2, the prevalence of infected livers was above 16% (1904/12,236), mostly (20.1%) from the south-west region of RS. The Susceptible-infected-recovered (SIR) epidemic model revealed the evolution of the infection using a high infectivity and low recovery rate. Other distinctive scenarios that occur in RS were also established with different rates of infectivity. The economic assessment showed a potential loss of US$45 million to the beef cattle industry of RS, with an overall State cost of US$90.3 million. These novel findings reveal the importance of fasciolosis infection, which can cause a significant health condition and poor animal welfare.

Transcranial Doppler findings in antiphospholipid syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Transcranial Doppler is a method that enables the assessment of different cerebral hemodynamic parameters. It also allows for the evaluation of the presence of right-to-left circulation shunts (RLS) and for the detection of microembolic signals (MESs), which might be associated with an increased risk of cerebrovascular events. For instance, the presence of MESs on transcranial Doppler in patients with systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is associated with an increased risk of stroke. Therefore, transcranial Doppler could be a useful tool for stroke risk stratification in these patients. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to evaluate transcranial Doppler cerebral mean blood flow velocities as well as the presence of MESs and RLS in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome and SLE. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-two patients with primary APS (PAPS), 24 patients with secondary APS (SAPS), 27 patients with SLE without APS and 21 healthy controls were evaluated. Clinical and epidemiological data were compiled from medical charts, and all subjects underwent transcranial Doppler examination with breath-holding index calculation. Both middle cerebral arteries were monitored for 60 min for the detection of MESs. RLS was investigated with agitated saline injected as a bolus. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in mean blood flow velocities among the groups. MESs were more frequently found in patients with SLE when compared with controls and patients with APS (SLE: 17.4%, SAPS: 4.3%, PAPS: 0%, controls: 0%, p = 0.03). Anticoagulant therapy was more frequently used in the APS group (PAPS: 81.8%, SAPS: 75.2%, SLE: 1.7%, p < 0.001). Patients with APS had a higher frequency of RLS when compared with volunteers (63.6% versus 38.1%, p = 0.05). Breath-holding index values tended to be lower in patients with SAPS than in control subjects and patients with PAPS and SLE ( p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with APS had a higher frequency of RLS than healthy controls. This finding alerts to the importance of cardiac investigation in patients with stroke and APS, because further therapies such as RLS occlusion might eventually add protection. The higher frequency of MES in patients with SLE could suggest an effect of anticoagulant therapy on MES prevention, more frequently used in patients with APS.

Neurologic manifestations of antiphospholipid syndrome.

Neurological involvement in antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) is common, and its occurrence increases morbidity and mortality. Patients may present variable neurological involvement, such as cerebrovascular disease, cognitive dysfunction, headache, seizures, movement disorders, multiple sclerosis-like syndrome, transverse myelitis and ocular symptoms. Most neurological manifestations are associated with thrombosis of the microcirculation or of large vessels; nonetheless, there is compelling evidence suggesting that, in some cases, symptoms are secondary to an immune-mediated pathogenesis, with direct binding of aPL on neurons and glia. Herein we describe clinical characteristics and management of neurological APS manifestations.

Dairy production practices and associated risks for bovine vaccinia exposure in cattle, Brazil.

A cross-sectional serosurvey was performed to identify environmental features or practices of dairy farms associated with risk for exposure to vaccinia-like viruses in dairy cattle in Brazil. Sera from 103 cows from 18 farms in Minas Gerais state were examined for Orthopoxvirus-neutralizing antibodies. A database of 243 binary or multiple-selection categorical variables regarding the physical features and surrounding ecology of each property was obtained. Thirteen of 46 presumptive predictor variables were found to be significantly associated with Orthopoxvirus serostatus by univariate logistic regression methods. Use of teat sanitizer and having felids on the property were independently associated with virus exposure by multivariable analysis. Rodents have long been suspected of serving as maintenance reservoirs for vaccinia-like viruses in Brazil. Therefore, domestic felids are not only effective predators of small rodent pests, but also their urine can serve as a deterrent to rodent habitation in buildings such as stables and barns. These results corroborate previous evidence of the high significance of rodents in the Vaccinia virus transmission cycle, and they also raise questions regarding the common use of teat sanitizers in dairy production areas.

Fast ultrasound assisted synthesis of chitosan-based magnetite nanocomposites as a modified electrode sensor.

Chitosan-based magnetite nanocomposites were synthesized using a versatile ultrasound assisted in situ method involving one quick step. This synthetic route approach results in the formation of spheroidal nanoparticles (Fe3O4) with average diameter between 10 and 24nm, which were found to be superparamagnetic with saturation magnetization (Ms) ranges from 32-57emug(-1), depending on the concentration. The incorporation of Fe3O4 into chitosan matrix was also confirmed by FTIR and TG techniques. This hybrid nanocomposite has the potential application as electrochemical sensors, since the electrochemical signal was excepitionally stable. In addition, the in situ strategy proposed in this work allowed us to synthesize the nanocomposite system in a short time, around 2min of time-consuming, showing great potential to replace convencional methods. Herein, the procedure will permit a further diversity of applications into nanocomposite materials engineering.

Ovariossalpingo-histerectomia em cadelas: comparação da dor e análises cardiorrespiratória, pressórica e hemogasométrica nas abordagens convencional, por NOTES híbrida e NOTES total / Ovariosalpingohisterectomy in bitches: comparison of pain, cardiopulmonary, pressure and arterial blood gas analysis of the conventional approaches, by NOTES hybrid and NOTES pure

A cirurgia endoscópica por orifícios naturais (NOTES) é um novo conceito de abordagem videocirúrgica, que surge como alternativa à cirurgia convencional, eliminando incisões abdominais e as possíveis complicações relacionadas a ela. A proposta deste artigo foi comparar técnicas de ovariossalpingo-histerectomia (OSH) em cadelas, buscando determinar o procedimento que oferece menores alterações hemodinâmicas e menos estímulos dolorosos trans e pós-operatório. Para tanto, foram utilizadas 21 cadelas alocadas em três grupos. No primeiro, os pacientes foram submetidos à OSH por celiotomia (GC), no segundo por meio da técnica de NOTES híbrida (GNH) e no terceiro (GNT), utilizando-se a técnica de NOTES total. O tempo cirúrgico do GNH foi significativamente maior que nos demais grupos. Em ambos os grupos de cirurgia NOTES, verificou-se diminuição das pressões arteriais médias e diastólicas no transoperatório. Apenas o grupo GNH desenvolveu acidose severa no transoperatório. Levando-se em consideração as avaliações da dor, apenas o grupo convencional necessitou de analgesia resgate transcirúrgica. No pós-operatório, observou-se que os cães do GC apresentaram índices mais elevados na escala visual analógica e na escala de Melbourne que os animais dos demais grupos, sendo necessária analgesia resgate em 100% deles. Em contraste, no GNT nenhum dos cães requereram complementação analgésica pós-operatória. Conclui-se que a técnica de OSH por NOTES total apresenta parâmetros cardiorrespiratórios e hemogasométricos semelhantes à técnica convencional e mais estáveis que a técnica de NOTES híbrida, bem como resulta em menor dor trans e pós-operatória que a técnica convencional...

The aim of the present study was to perform bacteriological and molecular methods for identification of Mycobacterium bovis in lesions derived from bovine carcasses detected during routine post-mortem examination in officially inspected slaughterhouses. We checked the slaughter and inspection of 825,394 bovines, health upon ante-mortem examination, by the official service in 10 slaughterhouses of Bahia state from April, 2009 to April 2012. Lesions suggestive of tuberculosis were collected from 180 bovines and further evaluated by bacteriology and multiplex PCR. The majority of lesions were located in the respiratory tract lymph nodes and 71% were from male bovines up to 32 months old. 13.9% of samples presented small, granular and creamy-yellowish colonies after being cultured in Stonebrink-Leslie with an average growth time of 34 days. All smears from the isolated samples were Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) and among them 56% were identified by mPCR as M. bovis. Thus, the association between post-mortem examination, culture and multiplex PCR allowed the bacillus identification in a reduced time and in regions of low prevalence, pointing out its importance for bovine tuberculosis detection and as a supportive tool for the tuberculosis control and eradication program...

Spatial modeling of the schistosomiasis mansoni in Minas Gerais State, Brazil using spatial regression.

Schistosomiasis is a transmissible parasitic disease caused by the etiologic agent Schistosoma mansoni, whose intermediate hosts are snails of the genus Biomphalaria. The main goal of this paper is to estimate the prevalence of schistosomiasis in Minas Gerais State in Brazil using spatial disease information derived from the state transportation network of roads and rivers. The spatial information was incorporated in two ways: by introducing new variables that carry spatial neighborhood information and by using spatial regression models. Climate, socioeconomic and environmental variables were also used as co-variables to build models and use them to estimate a risk map for the whole state of Minas Gerais. The results show that the models constructed from the spatial regression produced a better fit, providing smaller root mean square error (RMSE) values. When no spatial information was used, the RMSE for the whole state of Minas Gerais reached 9.5%; with spatial regression, the RMSE reaches 8.8% (when the new variables are added to the model) and 8.5% (with the use of spatial regression). Variables representing vegetation, temperature, precipitation, topography, sanitation and human development indexes were important in explaining the spread of disease and identified certain conditions that are favorable for disease development. The use of spatial regression for the network of roads and rivers produced meaningful results for health management procedures and directing activities, enabling better detection of disease risk areas.

Home matters: work and household predictors of smoking and cessation among blue-collar workers.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the joint influence of work- and household-related variables on smoking behavior among a population representative sample of blue-collar workers with live-in partners. METHODS: The study used data on 1389 blue-collar workers from the Tobacco Use Supplement to the United States Current Population Survey 2002 to 2003 longitudinal overlap sample. Unadjusted and adjusted logistical regression analyses, which employed sampling and replicate weights to account for sampling design, were run to estimate independent and joint effects of the predictors. RESULTS: In adjusted analyses, partner smoking (OR=4.97, 95%CI=3.02-8.18) and complete and partial home smoking policy (OR=0.16, 95%CI=0.09-0.29 and OR=0.39, 95%CI=0.23-0.68, respectively) were significant predictors of smoking status, but worksite smoking policies and presence of a young child under 5 in the household were not (p>0.05). Baseline complete home smoking ban was a significant predictor of subsequent cessation (OR=3.49, 95%CI=1.19-10.23), while partner smoking status, workplace smoking policy, and the presence of a young child in the home did not predict cessation (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Household-related variables were significant predictors of smoking status and cessation among blue-collar workers. Current efforts to decrease smoking in this group, which are mostly focused on work-related risk factors, should consider how to incorporate household risk factors.

4'-Aminochalcones as novel inhibitors of the chlorinating activity of myeloperoxidase.

The excessive activation of neutrophils generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the secretion of primary granular enzymes, such as myeloperoxidase (MPO), which is implicated in numerous inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate chalcones as inhibitors of the chlorinating activity of MPO using in vitro and ex vivo assays. In addition to cytotoxic properties, the inhibition of respiratory burst, the scavenger capacity, and the oxidation potential were measured. 4'-Aminochalcone (1), 4'-amino-4- fluorochalcone (2), and 4'-amino-4-methylchalcone (3) exhibited potent inhibition of the chlorinating activity of MPO, as evaluated in a neutrophil system and a free cell system, to the following degree: (1) IC50 = 0.265 � 0.036 µmol L-1; (2) IC50 = 0.250 � 0.081 µmol L-1; and (3) IC50 = 0.250 � 0.012 µmol L-1. These values were similar to those for 5-fluorotryptamine (IC50 = 0.192 � 0.012 µmol L-1), a compound considered to be a potent MPO inhibitor. These aminochalcones were not toxic to neutrophils at concentrations below 100 µmol L- 1, as determined by the trypan blue exclusion assay. Compounds 1-3 presented a high oxidation potential (Epa1 ≉ 0.80 V), low scavenger capacity against DPPH• and HOCl, and low inhibition of respiratory burst. These data indicated that aminochalcones are potent inhibitors of MPO chlorinating activity, a new property for chalcone derivatives, given that they are neither antioxidant agents nor inhibitors of respiratory burst. In conclusion, the selected aminochalcones have potential as pharmacological agents for inflammatory diseases.

La cefalea y la salud del trabajador de enfermería: análisis de una realidad / No disponible

Este es un estudio transversal que tuvo como objetivo determinar la prevalencia del dolor de cabeza en un equipo de enfermería en un hospital de la comunidad en el interior de Rio Grande do Sul. La recolección de datos se realizó mediante un cuestionario auto-administrado a todos los empleados del equipo, haciendo un total de 168 sujetos. Los datos fueron analizados mediante estadística descriptiva según el análisis de la distribución de frecuencias. La prevalencia de la cefalea en la población estudiada fue de 98%. El estrés fue citado como un factor desencadenante en el 68% de los cuestionarios analizados y el tratamiento farmacológico se utiliza por el 86% de esta población. La migraña y la cefalea tensional son los tipos predominantes. Los datos muestran que la cefalea puede ser considerada como un importante problema de salud pública del trabajador de enfermería y, por tanto, ponen de manifiesto la necesidad de inversiones en un ambiente sano para ellos (AU)

This is a cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of headaches in a nursing team in a community hospital in inland Rio Grande do Sul/BR. Data collection was made by a self-administered questionnaire to all employees of the team, making a total of 168 subjects. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics by analyzing frequency distribution. The prevalence of headaches found in the study population was 98%. Stress was cited as a trigger factor in 68% of the questionnaires analyzed and pharmacological treatment is used for 86% of this population. Migraine and tension headache were the prevalent types. The data show that headaches can be considered a major public health problem in nursing and, therefore, reveal the need for investments in healthy nursing environments (AU)

Clinical correlates of olfactory dysfunction in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3.

Olfactory dysfunction is a very common and early sign in neurodegenerative disorders, but few data are already available in hereditary ataxias. Our aim was to evaluate the sense of smell in patients with molecular-proven spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3). Forty-one patients with SCA3 and 46 control subjects were studied. The sense of smell was tested using the Sniffin's Sticks (SS-16). We also evaluated Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and non-cerebellar symptoms, such as parkinsonism, dystonia, and restless legs syndrome (RLS). The SCA3 group had significantly lower SS-16 scores than controls (11.5 ± 2.4 vs 12.8 ± 1.5, p = 0.003). Multiple linear regression analyses, controlling for age, sex, education, cigarette smoking, and MMSE scores, showed that SCA3 (p = 0.021), sex (p = 0.003) and MMSE scores (p = 0.002) had significant regression coefficients. All the variables taken together were significantly associated with the SS-16 scores (p ≤ 0.001). Although MMSE scores and female sex were stronger predictors of the SS-16 scores than SCA3, subjects with SCA3 had lower scores on the SS-16, regardless of sex or MMSE scores. Additionally, MMSE scores, sex and presence of RLS were the best predictors of SS-16 scores. Overall, our results strengthen that the sense of smell is significantly reduced in patients with SCA3 and that sex, MMSE scores and RLS also influence the SS-16 scores.

Detection of hantaviruses in Brazilian rodents by SYBR-Green-based real-time RT-PCR.

Current knowledge of the pathogenic hantavirus indicates that wild rodents are its primary natural reservoir. Specific primers to detect the presence of viral genomes were developed using an SYBR-Green-based real-time RT-PCR protocol. One hundred sixty-four rodents native to the Atlantic Forest biome were captured in São Paulo State, Brazil, and their tissues were tested. The presence of hantavirus RNA was detected in sixteen rodents: three specimens of Akodon montensis, three of Akodon cursor, two of Necromys lasiurus, one of Juliomys sp., one of Thaptomys nigrita, five of Oligoryzomys nigripes, and one of Oryzomys sp. This SYBR Green real-time RT-PCR method for detection of hantavirus may be useful for surveying hantaviruses in Brazil.

Potencial antioxidante e antimicrobiano de espécies da família Asteraceae / Antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of Asteraceae species

Espécies da família Asteraceae são amplamente utilizadas na medicina popular para diversos fins terapêuticos. Neste contexto, este estudo teve por objetivo averiguar a atividade antimicrobiana e antioxidante in vitro de extratos metanólicos de plantas pertencentes a Asteraceae, a maioria comumente utilizada na medicina tradicional. A prospecção química dos extratos também foi realizada. A atividade antimicrobiana foi avaliada pelo método de susceptibilidade em microdiluição em caldo e a atividade antioxidante determinada pelo ensaio com o radical DPPH. O extrato da folha de Baccharis dracunculifolia apresentou significativa atividade antimicrobiana para Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Bacillus cereus e Cryptococcus neoformans (CIM = 0,005; 0,005 e 0,039 mg mL-1, respectivamente). Os extratos das folhas de Bidens segetum e Matricaria chamomilla foram seletivos para Shigella sonnei e P. aeruginosa (CIM = 0,005 e 0,078 mg mL-1, respectivamente). Já as folhas de Acanthospermun australe e Baccharis trimera apresentaram atividade significativa apenas para Candida albicans (CIM = 0,039 mg mL-1) enquanto as folhas de Taraxacum officinale foram ativos contra ambas leveduras com CIM 0,039 mg mL-1. Em relação à atividade antioxidante, os extratos das folhas de B. dracunculifolia, T. officinale e das inflorescências de B. segetum apresentaram significativa atividade com CI50 de 5, 5 e 4 µg mL-1, respectivamente. A prospecção química dos extratos identificou presença de compostos como flavonoides, terpenos e outros que podem ser responsáveis pelas atividades observadas.

Asteraceae species have been largely used in folk medicine for several therapeutic purposes. Thus, the aim of this work was to investigate the in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of methanol extracts from plants belonging to the Asteraceae family, most of which are commonly used in traditional medicine. Chemical prospecting of extracts was also performed. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated through the broth microdilution susceptibility method and the antioxidant activity was determined through DPPH assay. Leaf extract of Baccharis dracunculifolia presented a significant antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Bacillus cereus and Cryptococcus neoformans (0.005, 0.005 and 0.039 mg mL-1 MIC, respectively). Leaf extracts of Bidens segetum and Matricaria chamomilla were selective for Shigella sonnei and P. aeruginosa (0.005 and 0.078 mg mL-1 MIC, respectively). On the other hand, Acanthospermun australe and Baccharis trimera leaves only showed significant activity against Candida albicans (0.039 mg mL-1 MIC), while Taraxacum officinale leaves were active against both yeasts, with 0.039 mg mL-1 MIC. As regards antioxidant activity, extracts of B. dracunculifolia and T. officinale leaves and B. segetum inflorescences presented significant activity, with 5, 5 and 4 µg mL-1 IC50, respectively. The chemical prospecting identified the presence of flavonoids, terpenes and other compounds which may be responsible for the observed activities.

Mapping risk of bovine fasciolosis in the south of Brazil using Geographic Information Systems.

Fasciolosis, caused by Fasciola hepatica, is an endemic disease of ruminants that occurs in several countries of South America where it can lead to decreased production and fertility and, in severe cases, animal death. Although very prevalent, information on the epidemiology of the disease is incomplete in Brazil. The objective of the present study was to define the prevalence of F. hepatica in the livers of cattle from slaughterhouses and correlate the data with the animal's origin (climate and altitude) using a Geographic Information System (GIS). The data was used to create an epidemiological map of fasciolosis by state (Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Paraná), by municipality (n=530) and by year (2003-2008). Information was analyzed using a databank from slaughterhouses with Federal Inspection Services of the Ministry of Agriculture. The highest cattle infection rate was found in the two most Southern states of Rio Grande do Sul (18.7%) and Santa Catarina (10.1%). Animals from the Campanha region of Rio Grande do Sul and from the central coast area of Santa Catarina had prevalences of greater than 40%. Cattle from low altitudes municipalities were significantly more likely to have the disease (p<0.05). No significant differences were found between high or low prevalence and ambient temperatures. Risk maps resulting from this study provide information on the epidemiology and transmission of F. hepatica in Southern Brazil needed for design of appropriate control measures to control economic impacts. F. hepatica may represent an important source of zoonotic infection of humans as well; therefore these findings may be complemented by future studies on human infections in high risk areas.

Microbiota saprófita associada à doença periodontal em cäes / Oral flora associated with periodontal disease in dogs

Realizou-se um estudo sobre a microbiota saprófita associada à doença periodontal espontânea em cäes com o objetivo de identificar as bactérias anaeróbias predominantes nas lesöes. Com auxílio de cureta odontológica, amostras colhidas diretamente do espaço subgengival foram semeadas em meio CDC (Central for Disease Control) para anaeróbios e incubadas, em anaerobiose, a 37§C, por sete dias. A caracterizaçäo das colônias foi realizada por meio da morfologia e do teste bioquímico (Sistema API 20A). Identificaram-se os seguintes gêneros: Prevotella spp., Bacteroides spp., Propionibacterium spp., Gemella spp., Actinomyces spp., Eubacterium spp. e Porphyromonas spp