Interannual variability in Dinophysis spp. abundance and toxin accumulation in farmed mussels (Perna perna) in a subtropical estuary.

This study evaluated an 8-year dataset (2007 to 2015, except 2008) in the attempt to identify the most susceptible periods for the occurrence of diarrheic shellfish poisoning (DSP) episodes associated with the presence of toxigenic dinoflagellates, Dinophysis spp., in the mussel farming area of Babitonga Bay (southern Brazil). Dinophysis acuminata complex was the most frequent (present in 66% of the samples) and abundant (max. 4100 cells L-1) taxon, followed by D. caudata (14%; max. 640 cells L-1) and D. tripos (0.9%; max. 50 cells L-1). There was a marked onset of the annual rise in Dinophysis spp. abundance during weeks 21-25 (early winter) of each year, followed by a second peak on week 35 (spring). Mussel (Perna perna) samples usually started testing positive in DSP mouse bioassays (MBA) in late winter. Positive results were more frequent in 2007 and 2011 when the mean D. acuminata complex abundance was ~ 500 cells L-1. Although positive DSP-MBA results were observed in only 11% of the samples during the studied period, the toxin okadaic acid (OA) was present in 90% of the analyzed mussels (max. 264 µg kg-1). MBA results were positive when D. acuminata complex cell densities exceed 1200 ± 300 cells L-1, while trace toxin amounts could be detected at cell densities as low as 150 ± 50 cells L-1 (free OA) to 200 ± 100 cells L-1 (conjugated OA). Low salinity and the meteorological conditions triggered by La Niña events were the main factors associated with both Dinophysis abundance and OA accumulation in mussels.

Recurrent blooms of Heterosigma akashiwo (Raphidophyceae) in the Piraquê Channel, Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, southeast Brazil.

Six blooms of Heterosigma akashiwo (Raphidophyceae) were observed from March 2007 through March 2008 in the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, a semi-confined eutrophic system located in Rio de Janeiro state, southeast Brazil. Vegetative cells of H. akashiwo analysed by optical and electron microscopy showed morphology as described in the literature. The blooms (2.8 × 10(4) to 4 × 10(8) cell.L(-1)) were restricted to the middle section of the Piraquê Channel, which is situated in the northeastern part of the lagoon and receives freshwater inflow. The salinity of subsurface water and the channel depth showed significant negative correlations with H. akashiwo abundances, and appeared to restrict the blooms to this compartment of the lagoon. No fish mortality was associated with the H. akashiwo blooms, nor were brevetoxins detected in a cell extract obtained from the bloom observed on 19 March 2007.

A process: development of a model multiculturalism curriculum designed for mobility across geographic borders.

The Council on Accreditation Project, Nurse Anesthesia Educational Requirements and Mobility Between North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Countries, has as one of its outcomes the development of a model curriculum that would minimize educational barriers for mobility of nurse anesthetists across NAFTA geographical borders with a focus on the blending of professional and technical expertise with issues of human diversity and/or cultural differences. The overall long-term outcome of the project is to test a process. The manuscript discusses the process used in year III of the project to integrate cultural concepts into a nurse anesthesia model curriculum.