What lies underneath: Comparison among beach litter in the underwater bathing area and exposed beach.

The standard techniques for monitoring beach litter focus on the litter that is accumulated on beaches. Therefore, the underwater bathing area is usually overlooked. Our study aims to start the discussion about the litter in the bathing area, an important connection between the exposed beach and the ocean. We aimed to compare sampling methodologies between the underwater bathing area and the exposed beach. We highlighted litter's similarities and differences regarding the amount, material, possible sources, and interaction with the biota. We also performed a brand audit on the underwater bathing area litter. In the underwater region, 106 items were collected while 1706 items were collected from the exposed beach region. Plastic was the dominant type of material in both sites, exposed beach (89.92 %) and bathing area (83.96 %). The litter's possible source was different. In the underwater bathing area was more related to food packages (couscous, rice). On the other hand, litter on the exposed beach was associated with beach use (single-use plastic such as plastic cups). The brand audit identified 21 companies, whereby most brands were Brazilian and food-related. Regarding interactions with the biota, the litter in the bathing area had more bio-fouling (87.73 %) than the litter collected on the exposed beach (10.00 %). Information about bathing area litter can be useful to draw different management strategies. Due to the differences in litter types and behavior between the two sites, the same mitigation strategies might not be equally efficient.

Serotype-associated immune response and network immunoclusters in children and adults during acute Dengue virus infection.

The present study was designed as an exploratory investigation to characterize the overall profile of chemokines, growth factors, and pro-inflammatory/regulatory cytokines during acute DENV infection according to DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-4 serotypes and age: children: <1-10-year-old (yo); adolescents:11-20 yo; adults 21-40 yo; and older adults: 41-75 yo. The levels of soluble immunemediators were measured in serum by high-throughput microbeads array in 636 subjects including 317 DENV-infected and 319 age-matching non-infected control (NI). Overall, most soluble mediators were increased in DENV-infected patients as compared to NI group regardless of age and DENV serotype, with high magnitude order of increase for CCL2, CXCL10, IL-1ß, IFN-γ, IL1-Ra (fold change >3x), except PDGF in which no fold change was observed. Moreover, despite the age ranges, DENV-1 and DENV-4 presented increased levels of VEGF, IL-6, and TNF-α in serum but decreased levels of PDGF, while DENV-2 exhibited increased levels of CXCL8, CCL4, and IL-12. Noteworthy was that DENV-2 showed increased levels of IL-12, IL-15, IL-17, IL-4, IL-9, and IL-13, and maintained an unaltered levels of PDGF at younger ages (<1-10 yo and 11-20 yo), whereas in older ages (21-40 yo and 41-75 yo), the results showed increased levels of CCL2, IL-6, and TNF-α, but lower levels of PDGF. In general, DENV infection at younger age groups exhibited more complex network immunoclusters as compared to older age groups. Multivariate analysis revealed a clustering of DENV cases according to age for a set of soluble mediators especially in subjects infected with DENV-2 serotype. Altogether, our findings demonstrate that the profile of circulating soluble mediators differs substantially in acute DENV according to age and DENV serotypes suggesting the participation of serotype-associated immune response, which may represent a potential target for development of therapeutics and could be used to assist medical directive for precise clinical management of severe cases.

Factors associated with Trichomonas vaginalis infection in reproductive-aged women attending cervical screening in southeast of Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) can be caused by viruses, bacteria, and parasites. The World Health Organization estimated more than 300 million new global cases of curable STIs among individuals of reproductive age. Infection by Trichomonas vaginalis is one of the most prevalent curable STI. Despite the current treatments available, the diagnosis of T. vaginalis can be difficult, and the resistance to the treatment increased concern for the healthcare system. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with Trichomonas vaginalis infection among women of reproductive age attending community-based services for cervical screening. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 1477 reproductive-aged women attending 18 Primary Health Care Units in Botucatu, Brazil, from September to October 2012, were enrolled. A structured questionnaire was used for individual face-to-face interviews for obtaining data on sociodemographic, gynecologic, and obstetrics history, sexual and hygiene practices, among others. Cervicovaginal samples were obtained for detection of T. vaginalis by culture using Diamond's medium and microscopic vaginal microbiota classification according to Nugent. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was carried out to estimate Odds Ratios (OR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (95% CI) for the association between participants' sociodemographic, behavioral factors, and clinical factors with T. vaginalis infection. RESULTS: Median age of study participants was 33 years (ranging from 18 to 50). The overall prevalence of T. vaginalis infection was 1.3% (n = 20). Several factors were independently associated with T. vaginalis infection, such as self-reporting as black or Pardo for ethnicity (OR = 2.70; 95% CI 1.03‒7.08), smoking (OR=3.18; 95% CI 1.23‒8.24) and having bacterial vaginosis (OR = 4.01; 95%CI = 1.55-10.38) upon enrollment. A protective effect of higher educational level (having high school degree) was observed (OR = 0.16; 95% CI 0.05‒0.53). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that screening programs to correctly detect T. vaginalis infection can be helpful to guide prevention strategies to the community. Our study supports an association between abnormal vaginal microbiota and T. vaginalis infection.

BeachLog: A multiple uses and interactive beach picture.

There are some tools in place that classifies and/or rank beaches according to a series of parameters. It is possible to identify a gap in the development of tools that map and describe beaches without putting the results into a classification status of good or bad. Since beaches are important from different points of views such as ecology, tourism, economy, pollution or invasive species studies and management, fisheries, estate development, protected areas, among others it is relevant to describe and understand parameters in detail. This work offers a multi-purpose and interactive beach descriptor called BeachLog. It can be used by beachgoers to keep their own records in the same way a diver uses a Diver's LogBook, managers can use the tool to support coastal management projects, long-term monitoring, and beach description baseline. Also, BeachLog can be a didactic tool to aiming to bring environmental sciences closer to technology through the use of spreadsheets and dashboards. BeachLog is based on the more frequent parameters in the literature, selected, organized, accounted for, and altered/added according to expert opinion. We created a list of 28 parameters, all of which were described in details of what is expected to be observed by the user. They were divided into 5 groups (Environmental characteristics, Services & Infrastructure, Information & Security, Planning & Management, and Descriptive). Here, we describe 14 Brazilian beaches using the BeachLog by inputting the results as parameters presence or absence (0/1) and descriptives in a table that can be transformed into an interactive dashboard for better/easier visualization. Planning & Management was absent on all 14 beaches studied, pointing out the relevance and gaps in this group. In the other groups it was possible to observe variation in the parameter occurrence, indicating that each beach is different and it is important to observe parameters individually. Beach Litter and Invasive Species parameters from the Environmental characteristics group were present in all beaches. BeachLog showed as an easy way to describe a beach and can be a tool to support diagnosis and understanding of the beach's status.

Understanding the interactions between cephalopods and marine litter: A research evaluation with identification of gaps and future perspectives.

Litter is known to negatively affect numerous marine organisms, but the extent of such impacts is not well known for several groups, including cephalopods. Considering the ecological, behavioral and economic importance of these animals, we reviewed the types of interactions between cephalopods and litter in the scientific literature, to evaluate impacts and knowledge gaps. We found 30 papers, which included records of microplastic ingestion and the transfer of synthetic microfibers along the food web. The largest number of records involved litter use as shelter, and the common octopus was the most frequent species. At first sight, litter use as shelter could appear to be a potential positive effect, but it is necessary to clarify the implications of this choice and its long-term consequences. Regarding ingestion and trophic transfer, further research is needed to elucidate its occurrence and impacts on cephalopods and their predators, including humans.

Circulating Extracellular Vesicles microRNAs Are Altered in Women Undergoing Preterm Birth.

Preterm labor (PTL) and preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) lead to high perinatal morbidity/mortality rates worldwide. Small extracellular vesicles (sEV) act in cell communication and contain microRNAs that may contribute to the pathogenesis of these complications. We aimed to compare the expression, in sEV from peripheral blood, of miRNAs between term and preterm pregnancies. This cross-sectional study included women who underwent PTL, PPROM, and term pregnancies, examined at the Botucatu Medical School Hospital, SP, Brazil. sEV were isolated from plasma. Western blot used to detect exosomal protein CD63 and nanoparticle tracking analysis were performed. The expression of 800 miRNAs was assessed by the nCounter Humanv3 miRNA Assay (NanoString). The miRNA expression and relative risk were determined. Samples from 31 women-15 preterm and 16 term-were included. miR-612 expression was increased in the preterm groups. miR-612 has been shown to increase apoptosis in tumor cells and to regulate the nuclear factor κB inflammatory pathway, processes involved in PTL/PPROM pathogenesis. miR-1253, miR-1283, miR378e, and miR-579-3p, all associated with cellular senescence, were downregulated in PPROM compared with term pregnancies. We conclude that miRNAs from circulating sEV are differentially expressed between term and preterm pregnancies and modulate genes in pathways that are relevant to PTL/PPROM pathogenesis.

Caenorhabditis elegans as a Prediction Platform for Nanotechnology-Based Strategies: Insights on Analytical Challenges.

Nanotechnology-based strategies have played a pivotal role in innovative products in different technological fields, including medicine, agriculture, and engineering. The redesign of the nanometric scale has improved drug targeting and delivery, diagnosis, water treatment, and analytical methods. Although efficiency brings benefits, toxicity in organisms and the environment is a concern, particularly in light of global climate change and plastic disposal in the environment. Therefore, to measure such effects, alternative models enable the assessment of impacts on both functional properties and toxicity. Caenorhabditis elegans is a nematode model that poses valuable advantages such as transparency, sensibility in responding to exogenous compounds, fast response to perturbations besides the possibility to replicate human disease through transgenics. Herein, we discuss the applications of C. elegans to nanomaterial safety and efficacy evaluations from one health perspective. We also highlight the directions for developing appropriate techniques to safely adopt magnetic and organic nanoparticles, and carbon nanosystems. A description was given of the specifics of targeting and treatment, especially for health purposes. Finally, we discuss C. elegans potential for studying the impacts caused by nanopesticides and nanoplastics as emerging contaminants, pointing out gaps in environmental studies related to toxicity, analytical methods, and future directions.

Gentle Touch and Sucrose for Pain Relief during Suctioning in Preterm Newborns-A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Pain management is challenging in neonatal care. We aimed to compare the effects of gentle touch and sucrose on pain relief during suctioning in premature newborns (PTNB). This crossover randomized clinical trial enrolled PTNBs with low birth weight, hemodynamically stable, and requiring suctioning during hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit. PTNBs underwent three different suctioning procedures. The first was performed without intervention (baseline). Right after, PTNBs were randomly allocated (sucrose and gentle touch or vice versa) to the next two suctioning procedures. Two validated scales assessed pain: the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) and the Premature Infant Pain Profile-Revised (PIPP-R). We evaluated 50 PTNBs (mean of 28 weeks) with a mean low birth weight of 1050 g; most were under continuous positive airway pressure 37 (74%) and mechanical ventilation 41 (82%). Gentle touch was efficacious for pain relief since NIPS (p = 0.010) compared to baseline. Sucrose was also effective in reducing pain NIPS and PIPP-R (p < 0.001). Although the two interventions reduced pain, no difference was observed between gentle touch and sucrose.

Factors associated with Trichomonas vaginalis infection in reproductive-aged women attending cervical screening in southeast of Brazil

ABSTRACT Background: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) can be caused by viruses, bacteria, and parasites. The World Health Organization estimated more than 300 million new global cases of curable STIs among individuals of reproductive age. Infection by Trichomonas vaginalis is one of the most prevalent curable STL Despite the current treatments available, the diagnosis of T. vaginalis can be difficult, and the resistance to the treatment increased concern for the healthcare system. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with Trichomonas vaginalis infection among women of reproductive age attending community-based services for cervical screening. Patients and methods: A total of 1477 reproductive-aged women attending 18 Primary Health Care Units in Botucatu, Brazil, from September to October 2012, were enrolled. A structured questionnaire was used for individual face-to-face interviews for obtaining data on sociodemographic, gynecologic, and obstetrics history, sexual and hygiene practices, among others. Cervicovaginal samples were obtained for detection of T. vaginalis by culture using Diamond's medium and microscopic vaginal microbiota classification according to Nugent. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was carried out to estimate Odds Ratios (OR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (95% CI) for the association between participants' sociodemographic, behavioral factors, and clinical factors with T. vaginalis infection. Results: Median age of study participants was 33 years (ranging from 18 to 50). The overall prevalence of T. vaginalis infection was 1.3% (n = 20). Several factors were independently associated with T. vaginalis infection, such as self-reporting as black or Pardo for ethnicity (OR = 2.70; 95% CI 1.03-7.08), smoking (OR=3.18; 95% CI 1.23-8.24) and having bacterial vaginosis (OR = 4.01; 95%CI = 1.55-10.38) upon enrollment. A protective effect of higher educational level (having high school degree) was observed (OR = 0.16; 95% CI 0.05-0.53). Conclusions: Our data suggest that screening programs to correctly detect T. vaginalis infection can be helpful to guide prevention strategies to the community. Our study supports an association between abnormal vaginal microbiota and T. vaginalis infection.

Association of altered serum glucose and lipid profiles with headaches in young women: clinical, cross-sectional study / Associação de perfis séricos glicêmicos e lipídicos alterados com cefaleias em mulheres jovens: estudo clínico transversal

Introduction: Headaches, including migraines and tension headaches, affect millions of people globally. Migraines are the most common neurological disorder, with around 14.4% of the world's population affected. It is suggested that dysregulation of biochemical markers and individual metabolic differences may contribute to headaches. Objective: We evaluated the frequency of headaches or migraines with changes in lipid, glucose and vitamin D serum levels in young women. Methods: Clinical, cross-sectional study with 139 young women, aged at least 18 years, based on the third edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3). The individuals were divided into two groups: one without headache and another with headache. Anthropometric analyzes (BMI, WC, BP and DBP) and blood samples were collected for analysis of vitamin D, glycemia and lipid profile. Results: Mean age was 22 (±4.6) years. We observed associations between headache and the following factors: high glucose levels (97 mg/dL, p=0.028), total cholesterol (180.4 mg/dL, p=0.002), HDL (44.2 mg/dL, p=0.017), and LDL (121.6 mg/dL, p=0.005). Longer duration of headache attacks was associated with increased levels of glucose (97.9 mg/dL, p=0.028), total cholesterol (186.8 mg/dL, p=0.05), diastolic blood pressure (74 mmHg, p=0.038), and BMI (24.6 kg/m2, p=0.024). High glucose levels were found to be directly related to the presence of migraine, particularly those with aura (105 mg/dL, p=0.034). However, there was no significant difference in vitamin D levels (p=0.640). Conclusion: Elevated levels of blood glucose and total plasma cholesterol and its fractions seems to be associated can increase with bouts of headache attacks, especially migraine, prolonging the duration of pain.

Introdução: Dores de cabeça, incluindo enxaquecas e dores de cabeça tensionais, afetam milhões de pessoas em todo o mundo. As enxaquecas são o distúrbio neurológico mais comum, afetando cerca de 14,4% da população mundial. Sugere-se que a desregulação dos marcadores bioquímicos e as diferenças metabólicas individuais possam contribuir para as dores de cabeça. Objetivo: Avaliamos a frequência de dores de cabeça ou enxaquecas com alterações nos níveis séricos de lipídios, glicose e vitamina D em mulheres jovens. Métodos: Estudo clínico, transversal, com 139 mulheres jovens, com idade mínima de 18 anos, baseado na terceira edição da Classificação Internacional de Cefaleias (ICHD-3). Os indivíduos foram divididos em dois grupos: um sem cefaleia e outro com cefaleia. Foram coletadas análises antropométricas (IMC, CC, PA e PAD) e amostras de sangue para análise de vitamina D, glicemia e perfil lipídico. Resultados: A média de idade foi de 22 (±4,6) anos. Observamos associações entre cefaleia e os seguintes fatores: níveis elevados de glicose (97 mg/dL, p=0,028), colesterol total (180,4 mg/dL, p=0,002), HDL (44,2 mg/dL, p=0,017) e LDL (121,6 mg/dL, p=0,005). A maior duração das crises de cefaleia foi associada ao aumento dos níveis de glicose (97,9 mg/dL, p=0,028), colesterol total (186,8 mg/dL, p=0,05), pressão arterial diastólica (74 mmHg, p=0,038) e IMC (24,6kg/m2, p=0,024). Verificou-se que níveis elevados de glicose estão diretamente relacionados à presença de enxaqueca, principalmente naqueles com aura (105 mg/dL, p=0,034). Entretanto, não houve diferença significativa nos níveis de vitamina D (p=0,640). Conclusão: Níveis elevados de glicose no sangue e colesterol plasmático total e suas frações parecem estar associados e podem aumentar com crises de dor de cabeça, especialmente enxaqueca, prolongando a duração da dor.

Arboviruses in Free-Ranging Birds and Hematophagous Arthropods (Diptera, Nematocera) from Forest Remnants and Urbanized Areas of an Environmental Protection Area in the Amazon Biome.

The rapid and disorderly urbanization in the Amazon has resulted in the insertion of forest fragments into cities, causing the circulation of arboviruses, which can involve hematophagous arthropods and free-ranging birds in the transmission cycles in urban environments. This study aimed to evaluate the circulation of arboviruses in free-ranging birds and hematophagous arthropods captured in an Environmental Protection Area in the Belem metropolitan area, Brazil. Birds were captured using mist nets, and hematophagous arthropods were collected using a human protected attraction technique and light traps. The birds' sera were subjected to a hemagglutination inhibition test to detect antibodies against 29 arbovirus antigens. Arthropod macerates were inoculated into C6/36 and VERO cell cultures to attempt viral isolation and were tested using indirect immunofluorescence, subsequent genetic sequencing and submitted for phylogenetic analysis. Four bird sera were positive for arbovirus, and one batch of Psorophora ferox was positive for Flavivirus on viral isolation and indirect immunofluorescence. In addition, the Ilheus virus was detected in the sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The presence of antibodies in sera from free-ranging birds and the isolation of Ilheus virus in Psorophora ferox indicate the circulation of arboviruses in forest remnants in the urban center of Belem.

Reliability and internal consistency in the assessment of neonatal pain in preterm infants during tracheal aspiration: prospective study / Confiabilidade e consistência interna na avaliação da dor neonatal de prematuros durante o procedimento de aspiração traqueal: estudo prospectivo

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Inadequate pain assessment in preterm infants (PI) is a persistent problem. Currently, a precise pain assessment is one of the main challenges for health professionals in the intensive care units (NICU). The objective of this study was to verify the correlation between the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) and Premature Infant Pain Prole - Revised (PIPP-R), internal consistency, and inter-evaluator reliability on pain assessment during aspiration in PI. METHODS: Prospective observational study with low birth weight PI (< 2500 g), hemodynamically stable, minimal or no sedation, under mechanical ventilation, continuous positive airway pressure, nasal cannula oxygen, or ambient air, and needing aspiration during hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit in the period from 2019 to 2020.. PI were evaluated during three different aspiration procedures: without intervention (1), using gentle touch (2), and using sucrose (3). NIPS and PIPP-R instruments were applied, while internal consistency was determined using Cronbach's alpha, reliability using the intraclass correlation coefficient, and concurrent validity using Spearman's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Fifty PIs requiring tracheal aspiration were evaluated. NIPS and PIPP-R showed high (Cronbach α: 0.824) and moderate (Cronbach α: 0.655) internal consistency. Inter-e- valuation reliability was excellent in all aspiration procedures for NIPS (1: 0.991, 2: 0.987, and 3: 0.993) and PIPP-R (1: 0.997, 2: 0.986, and 3: 0.977). Concurrent validity was observed only for aspiration without intervention. CONCLUSION: Although NIPS may have better clinical utility than PIPP-R, both instruments presented good internal consistency and inter-evaluator reliability and may be used for assessing pain during aspiration in PI.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A avaliação inadequada da dor em recém-nascidos prematuros (RNPT) é um problema persistente. A avaliação precisa da dor é um dos principais desafios para profissionais de saúde nas Unidades de Terapia Intensiva Neonatais (UTIN). O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a associação entre a Escala de Dor Neonatal (Neonatal Infant Pain Scale - NIPS) e o Perfil da Dor do Bebê Prematuro - Revisado (Premature Infant Pain Profile Revised - PIPP-R), assim como a consistência interna e a confiabilidade inter-avaliadores na aferição da dor durante a aspiração do RNPT. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal prospectivo com RNPT de baixo peso ao nascer (<2500 g), hemodinamicamente estáveis, com mínima ou nenhuma sedação, sob ventilação mecânica, apresentando pressão positiva contínua nas vias aéreas, oxigênio na cânula nasal ou ar ambiente, e precisando de aspiração durante a internação na UTIN no período de 2019 a 2020. Os RNPT foram avaliados durante três diferentes procedimentos de aspiração: sem intervenção (1), toque gentil (2) e administração de sacarose (3). Os instrumentos NIPS e PIPP-R foram aplicados durante a avaliação. A consistência interna foi determinada pelo alfa de Cronbach, a confiabilidade pelo coeficiente de associação intraclasse e a validade concorrente pelo teste de associação de Spearman. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados 50 RNPT que necessitaram de aspiração traqueal. A NIPS e a PIPP-R mostraram consistência interna alta (Cronbach α: 0,824) e moderada (Cronbach α: 0,655), respectivamente. A confiabilidade inter-avaliadores foi excelente em todos os procedimentos de aspiração para NIPS (1: 0,991, 2: 0,987 e 3: 0,993) e PIPP-R (1: 0,997, 2: 0,986, e 3: 0,977). A validade concorrente foi observada apenas para aspiração sem intervenção. CONCLUSÃO: Embora a NIPS possa ter melhor utilidade clínica do que o PIPP-R, ambos os instrumentos apresentaram boa consistência interna e confiabilidade inter-avaliadores, e podem ser usados para avaliar a dor durante a aspiração em RNPT.

Serum Soluble Mediator Profiles and Networks During Acute Infection With Distinct DENV Serotypes.

A panoramic analysis of chemokines, pro-inflammatory/regulatory cytokines, and growth factors was performed in serum samples from patients with acute DENV infection (n=317) by a high-throughput microbeads array. Most soluble mediators analyzed were increased in DENV patients regardless of the DENV serotype. The substantial increase (≥10-fold) of CXCL10, IL-6, and IFN-γ, and decreased levels of PDGF (<0.4-fold) was universally identified in all DENV serotypes. Of note, increased levels of CXCL8, CCL4, and IL-12 (≥3-9-fold) were selectively observed in DENV2 as compared to DENV1 and DENV4. Heatmap and biomarker signatures further illustrated the massive release of soluble mediators observed in DENV patients, confirming the marked increase of several soluble mediators in DENV2. Integrative correlation matrices and networks showed that DENV infection exhibited higher connectivity among soluble mediators. Of note, DENV2 displayed a more complex network, with higher connectivity involving a higher number of soluble mediators. The timeline kinetics (Day 0-1, D2, D3, D4-6) analysis additionally demonstrated differences among DENV serotypes. While DENV1 triggers a progressive increase of soluble mediators towards D3 and with a decline at D4-6, DENV2 and DENV4 develop with a progressive increase towards D4-6 with an early plateau observed in DENV4. Overall, our results provided a comprehensive overview of the immune response elicited by DENV infection, revealing that infection with distinct DENV serotypes causes distinct profiles, rhythms, and dynamic network connectivity of soluble mediators. Altogether, these findings may provide novel insights to understand the pathogenesis of acute infection with distinct DENV serotypes.

In an octopus's garden in the shade: Underwater image analysis of litter use by benthic octopuses.

Benthic octopuses have been widely documented in artificial shelters for decades, and this use is apparently increasing. Despite any possible positive effects, the use of litter as shelter could have negative implications. In this work, we aimed to elucidate the interactions of octopuses with marine litter, identifying types of interactions and affected species and regions. To achieve this, we obtained 261 underwater images from 'citizen science' records, and identified 8 genera and 24 species of benthic octopuses interacting with litter. Glass objects were present in 41.6% of interactions, and plastic in 24.7%. Asia presented the highest number of images, and most records were from 2018 to 2021. Citizen science provided important evidence on octopus/marine litter interactions, highlighting its value and the need for more investigations on the subject. This information is fundamental to help prevent and mitigate the impacts of litter on octopuses, and identify knowledge gaps that require attention.

Reparo percutâneo de valva mitral pelo MitraClip: análise crítico-comparativa dos ensaios clínicos MITRA-FR E COAPT / Percutaneous mitral valve repair by MitraClip: critical-comparative analysis of MITRA-FR and COAPT clinical trials

Introdução: A valvuloplastia é indicada para o tratamento de regurgitação mitral grave, sendo a técnica transcateter uma opção à toracotomia. Testou-se o dispositivo MitraClip para reparo percutâneo da valva mitral em dois ensaios clínicos randomizados com resultados antagônicos: MITRA-FR e COAPT. Objetivo: Analisar as variáveis metodológicas apresentadas pelos ensaios. Método: Revisão crítico-comparativa entre MITRA-FR e COAPT. Resultados: COAPT apresentou taxa de sucesso de 98% e redução na taxa de hospitalização por IC. Já MITRA-FR não demonstrou redução da taxa de mortalidade ou da hospitalização não planejada por IC em um ano. Discussão: A seleção de participantes em COAPT mostrou-se mais criteriosa. Embora COAPT tenha utilizado maior número de clipes por operação, o desfecho primário nos dois ensaios foi semelhante. No COAPT, o acompanhamento medicamentoso foi estabelecido por um comitê, sendo relatado aumento expressivo do uso de betabloqueadores no grupo experimental. Ademais, interesses financeiros podem ter corroborado para os resultados encontrados no COAPT. Conclusão: Os resultados conflitantes de MITRA-FR e COAPT são explicados por diferenças metodológicas, mas o resultado positivo apresentado por COAPT possui maior risco de viés. [au]

Introduction: Valvuloplasty is indicated as treatment for severe mitral regurgitation and the transcatheter technique is an option to thoracotomy. The MitraClip device for percutaneous mitral valve repair has been tested in two randomized clinical trials with conflicting results: MITRA-FR and COAPT. Objective: Analyze the methodological varieties presented by the trials. Method: Critical-comparative review between MITRA-FR and COAPT. Results: COAPT presented a 98% success rate and a reduction of the hospitalization rate for heart failure. Contrarily, the MITRA-FR trial did not present any benefits in the reduction of the mortality rate or in the unplanned hospitalization for heart failure. Discussion: The selection of participants in COAPT was more rigorous. Although COAPT used a higher number of clips per operation, the primary outcome in both trials was similar. In COAPT, medication follow-up was established by a committee, with a significant increase in the use of beta-blockers in the experimental group being reported. Furthermore, financial interests may have corroborated the results found in COAPT. Conclusion: The conflicting results presented by MITRA-FR and COAPT are explained by methodological differences, but the positive result presented by COAPT had more risk of bias [au]

Spatio-temporal characterization of litter at a touristic sandy beach in South Brazil.

Litter is an ecological, economic, and social problem that impacts marine environments around the world. To create prevention and mitigation measures to solve this issue, it is necessary to understand the amounts and sources of this type of pollution. Cassino Beach is an extensive sandy beach located in South Brazil (∼220 km in length) that presents multiple uses, such as touristic, portuary and fishery activities. In order to evaluate the spatial and seasonal variation of litter amounts, types and sources at Cassino Beach, litter (>2.5 cm) was collected over 27 months at two urban and two non-urban sites. At each site, the litter present in three 200 m2 areas was sampled and evaluated. A total of 19,457 items were collected, mostly composed by plastic (∼88%). Paper, metal, and cloth items were also present, but in low amounts. Fragments and cigarette butts were the major types of plastic litter, with abundances of 28.4% and 17.0%, respectively. Urban sites presented higher amounts of litter, with those related to beach use being more common, emphasizing the contribution of beachgoers to litter input at these sites. During the summer season, when beach use increases, the highest total litter concentration was found. Undefined and/or beach use-related sources were dominant in all sites and seasons. Mapping the predominant materials, types and potential sources of litter creates important baseline data that can contribute not only to beach monitoring, but also to the development of litter reduction strategies.

Influence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in immunoregulatory genes in the morbidity of preterm newborns.

BACKGROUND: Prematurity is the main cause of perinatal and neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been associated with the pathogenesis of morbidities in preterm neonates. We aimed to investigate the association between SNPs in regulatory genes of innate immune response IL1B, IL6, IL6R, IL10, TNFA, TNFRII, TLR2 and TLR4 and neonatal/infant morbidities in preterm newborns. METHODS: Oral swabs were collected from 272 newborns (91 preterm and 181 at term) seen at Botucatu Medical School, Unesp, between 2013 and 2014 and SNPs were identified using Taqman® Genotyping Assays. Medical records were examined to obtain data regarding neonatal/infant morbidity. Stepwise binomial logistic regression models were used to explain the morbidities. RESULTS: Minor neonatal morbidity was influenced by the clinical parameters of maternal age and newborn weight at birth and by the presence of the allele IL6R2 C (rs2228145) while major neonatal morbidity was only influenced by gestational age. Minor infant morbidity was associated with the allele TLR2 T (rs4696480) and major infant morbidity was associated with gestational age and presence of IL6R2 C. CONCLUSION: The presence of SNPs that exacerbate the inflammatory response increases the susceptibility to neonatal and infant morbidity.

Emersion behavior of the semi-terrestrial crab Neohelice granulata during hypoxic conditions: Lactate as a trigger.

Climate changes affecting aquatic environments are increasing, and the resultant environmental challenges require animals to adopt alternative compensatory behavioral and physiological strategies. In particular, low levels of dissolved O2 are a regular problem for estuarine animals, leading to activation of a series of behavioral and physiological responses. This study on the semi-terrestrial crab Neohelice granulata examined patterns of emersion behavior under different levels of dissolved O2 availability and the role of lactate in this behavior. Emersion behavior was recorded for 4.5 h for crabs in water at four different levels of dissolved O2 (6, 3, 2, and 1 mg O2/L) and with free access to air. Oxygen consumption and hemolymphatic lactate levels were measured using the same experimental design. Emersion behavior was also recorded for 70 min in normoxic water after lactate or saline injections. Crabs increased their emersion behavior only in severe hypoxia (1 mg O2/L), and O2 consumption decreased under more severe hypoxic conditions. Despite the increase in emersion behavior, which leads to higher O2 availability, an increase in hemolymphatic lactate levels indicates that the animals still need to resort to anaerobic pathways to fulfill their metabolic demand. Furthermore, animals injected with lactate showed higher emersion behaviors than animals injected with a saline solution even in normoxia. These results suggest that the increase in hemolymphatic lactate can act directly or indirectly as a trigger for the increase in emersion behavior in the semi-terrestrial crab N. granulata.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Identity Transformation After Experiences of Psychological Abuse: A Mixed-Methods Approach.

Psychological abuse (PA) is being associated with the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, few studies have focused exclusively in this type of abuse. This study aimed to examine the relationship between PA and PTSD symptoms according to gender and understand the impact of severe PA in identity transformation, in a Portuguese university sample. Using a mixed-methods approach, 158 students answered an e-survey containing closed and open-ended questions. Results indicated a positive correlation between PA and PTSD symptoms. Women were significantly different from men concerning PA, contrarily to PTSD symptoms that did not present significant gender differences. The qualitative analysis revealed two different forms of adjustment, in both genders: positive-indicating personal growth-and negative changes-impacting relationships and emotional states. The more negative changes were described, the more PTSD symptoms were presented, regardless gender. Raising awareness can help young recognize themselves as victims and prevent the development of detrimental mental health status.