A water quality index for recreation in Brazilian freshwaters.

Use of water for leisure activities has long been prevalent in human societies, especially where the climate is favorable. Water resources with appealing conditions for primary contact recreational activities include rivers, waterfall plunge pools, dams and lakes, as well as sea coasts. Recreational use has specific demands for water quality, particularly as regards risks to human health such as exposure to pathogenic organisms, toxic substances, and submerged hazards. In Brazil, there is insufficient monitoring of bathing water conditions and currently used methodology has some limitations particularly the lack of guidance on interpretation of variables other than faecal bacterial indicators. The objectives of this study were: (1) to establish variables contributing to assessment of freshwater bathing conditions in Brazil; (2) to develop an integrated index of suitability-for-use for bathing in Brazil; and (3) to improve the methodology for assessing bathing water quality in Brazil. Based on a metadata analysis and consultation with Brazilian water professionals, a water quality index was developed incorporating the variables: Escherichia coli, cyanobacterial density, turbidity (visual clarity) and pH. This index should advance the management of recreational waters in Brazil, by improving the evaluation of freshwater bathing conditions and protecting the health of frequent users.

Redox heterogeneity of subsurface waters in the Mesoproterozoic ocean.

A substantial body of evidence suggests that subsurface water masses in mid-Proterozoic marine basins were commonly anoxic, either euxinic (sulfidic) or ferruginous (free ferrous iron). To further document redox variations during this interval, a multiproxy geochemical and paleobiological investigation was conducted on the approximately 1000-m-thick Mesoproterozoic (Lower Riphean) Arlan Member of the Kaltasy Formation, central Russia. Iron speciation geochemistry, supported by organic geochemistry, redox-sensitive trace element abundances, and pyrite sulfur isotope values, indicates that basinal calcareous shales of the Arlan Member were deposited beneath an oxygenated water column, and consistent with this interpretation, eukaryotic microfossils are abundant in basinal facies. The Rhenium-Osmium (Re-Os) systematics of the Arlan shales yield depositional ages of 1414±40 and 1427±43 Ma for two horizons near the base of the succession, consistent with previously proposed correlations. The presence of free oxygen in a basinal environment adds an important end member to Proterozoic redox heterogeneity, requiring an explanation in light of previous data from time-equivalent basins. Very low total organic carbon contents in the Arlan Member are perhaps the key--oxic deep waters are more likely (under any level of atmospheric O2) in oligotrophic systems with low export production. Documentation of a full range of redox heterogeneity in subsurface waters and the existence of local redox controls indicate that no single stratigraphic section or basin can adequately capture both the mean redox profile of Proterozoic oceans and its variance at any given point in time.

Rangeomorphs, Thectardis (Porifera?) and dissolved organic carbon in the Ediacaran oceans.

The mid-Ediacaran Mistaken Point biota of Newfoundland represents the first morphologically complex organisms in the fossil record. At the classic Mistaken Point localities the biota is dominated by the enigmatic group of "fractally" branching organisms called rangeomorphs. One of the few exceptions to the rangeomorph body plan is the fossil Thectardis avalonensis, which has been reconstructed as an upright, open cone with its apex in the sediment. No biological affinity has been suggested for this fossil, but here we show that its body plan is consistent with the hydrodynamics of the sponge water-canal system. Further, given the habitat of Thectardis beneath the photic zone, and the apparent absence of an archenteron, movement, or a fractally designed body plan, we suggest that it is a sponge. The recognition of sponges in the Mistaken Point biota provides some of the earliest body fossil evidence for this group, which must have ranged through the Ediacaran based on biomarkers, molecular clocks, and their position on the metazoan tree of life, in spite of their sparse macroscopic fossil record. Should our interpretation be correct, it would imply that the paleoecology of the Mistaken Point biota was dominated by sponges and rangeomorphs, organisms that are either known or hypothesized to feed in large part on dissolved organic carbon (DOC). The biology of these two clades gives insight into the structure of the Ediacaran ocean, and indicates that a non-uniformitarian mechanism delivered labile DOC to the Mistaken Point seafloor.

Where's the glass? Biomarkers, molecular clocks, and microRNAs suggest a 200-Myr missing Precambrian fossil record of siliceous sponge spicules.

The earliest evidence for animal life comes from the fossil record of 24-isopropylcholestane, a sterane found in Cryogenian deposits, and whose precursors are found in modern demosponges, but not choanoflagellates, calcareans, hexactinellids, or eumetazoans. However, many modern demosponges are also characterized by the presence of siliceous spicules, and there are no convincing demosponge spicules in strata older than the Cambrian. This temporal disparity highlights a problem with our understanding of the Precambrian fossil record--either these supposed demosponge-specific biomarkers were derived from the sterols of some other organism and are simply retained in modern demosponges, or spicules do not primitively characterize crown-group demosponges. Resolving this issue requires resolving the phylogenetic placement of another group of sponges, the hexactinellids, which not only make a spicule thought to be homologous to the spicules of demosponges, but also make their first appearance near the Precambrian/Cambrian boundary. Using two independent analytical approaches and data sets--traditional molecular phylogenetic analyses and the presence or absence of specific microRNA genes--we show that demosponges are monophyletic, and that hexactinellids are their sister group (together forming the Silicea). Thus, spicules must have evolved before the last common ancestor of all living siliceans, suggesting the presence of a significant gap in the silicean spicule fossil record. Molecular divergence estimates date the origin of this last common ancestor well within the Cryogenian, consistent with the biomarker record, and strongly suggests that siliceous spicules were present during the Precambrian but were not preserved.

Long-term monitoring and proposed diffuse pollution control of a tropical reservoir.

This paper presents the results of 30 years of water quality monitoring in a tropical water supply reservoir (Vargem das Flores, Brazil). This water body is subjected to eutrophication problems caused by point sources (discharge of untreated sewage) and diffuse pollution (agricultural use in the drainage basin). Emphasis is given here on the estimation of nutrient loads and on the study of the N/P ratio in the water body. In spite of the prevalence of high N/P values, there is a clear trend in the dominance of cyanobacteria in the phytoplankton, which contradicts results from research in temperate aquatic environments. Some restoration measures for Vargem das Flores Reservoir are currently being implemented: construction of wastewater treatment plants, control of recreational activities, erosion control by hydroseeding and use of natural wetlands. Finally some management strategies in order to prevent algae input in the water abstraction system are discussed. Examples of these techniques are the installation of plastic barriers and the construction of an air curtain device.

Chlorophyll-a determination via continuous measurement of plankton fluorescence: methodology development.

A methodology is presented for the continuous measurement of chlorophyll-a concentration due to plankton, in surface water environments. A Turner 10-AU fluorometer equipped with the F4T5.B2/BP lamp (blue lamp), a Cs 5-60 equivalent excitation path filter, and a 680 nm emission filter, has been used. This configuration allows the in vivo, in situ determination of chlorophyll-a by measuring the fluorescence due to the pigments. In field work the fluorometer, data logging and positioning equipment were placed aboard a manageable boat which navigated following a scheme of regularly spaced crossings. Some water samples were collected during the measurement for laboratory chlorophyll-a measurements by the spectrophotometric method, thus providing for calibration and comparison. Spatial chlorophyll-a concentration distributions can be easily defined in large volumes, such as reservoirs, etc. Two distinct environments have been monitored: in the Vargem das Flores reservoir chlorophyll-a concentrations varied between 0.7 and 2.6 mg/m3, whereas in the Lagoa Santa lake these values lied in the 12 to 18 mg/m3 range. The simplicity, versatility and economy of the method, added to the large amount of data that can be gathered in a single run, clearly justify its use in field environmental studies.

Report of the Psychotherapy Task Force of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

In this task force report, the authors define the field of child and adolescent psychotherapy; review the state of the field with respect to advocacy, training, research, and clinical practice; and recommend steps to ensure that psychotherapy remains a core competence of child and adolescent psychiatrists.

Potassium-stimulated angiotensin release from superfused adrenal capsules and enzymatically dispersed cells of the zona glomerulosa.

The cells of the adrenal cortex contain angiotensin-II (AII), but whether this peptide is synthesized there (vs. internalized from the systemic circulation), whether it is secreted, and whether it is important in aldosterone production remain uncertain. To address these issues, we studied AI and AII release from superfused rat adrenal capsules and dispersed glomerulosa cells. Superfused adrenal capsules released 7-fold more AII in 270 min than the capsules originally contained (495 +/- 101 fmol AII/rat released vs. 66 +/- 8 fmol AII/rat tissue content). The amount of AI released in the same period only slightly exceeded the tissue content. In response to higher potassium concentrations in the medium (9 vs. 3.6 mM K+), adrenal capsules and dispersed glomerulosa cells both released significantly more AI and AII into the superfusate. This release of AI and AII was oscillatory. The oscillations occurred in each of 15 experiments, with a period of 45-90 min. Decapsulated adrenal glands (the zona faciculata/reticularis plus medulla) also contained and released AII, but did not respond to potassium stimulation. There was a highly significant correlation between AII and aldosterone release. This was especially apparent if aldosterone secretion was examined during oscillations of AII release (r = 0.97; P less than 0.0001). We conclude that AII is synthesized in the zona glomerulosa and can be released in response to stimuli. The close correlation between AII and aldosterone secretion suggests that locally produced AII may play an important role in aldosterone biosynthesis.

The effect of sodium intake on angiotensin content of the rat adrenal gland.

To determine whether dietary sodium intake modifies the generation of adrenal-produced angiotensins and/or their relative proportions, Sprague-Dawley rats were maintained on a low (0.02%), normal (0.4%), or high (1.5%) sodium intake for 5 days. The animals were then killed by decapitation at 0900 h, and their adrenal glands were removed and dissected into two parts: capsular tissue, containing the zona glomerulosa (ZG), and the decapsulated adrenal gland. The tissue was frozen in liquid nitrogen and extracted, and the individual angiotensins [angiotensin-II (AII), angiotensin-III (AIII), angiotensin-I (AI), and Des-Asp-angiotensin-I (Des-Asp-AI)] were separated by HPLC and quantitated by RIA. On a normal sodium intake, the molar contents of the four angiotensins were similar in ZG, ranging from 3.1-6.6 pmol/g, although AII was present in a 60-70% higher concentration than AIII. In the decapsulated adrenal, the concentrations of the various angiotensins were again similar, but the absolute levels (per g tissue) were significantly (P less than 0.02) less than those in the ZG layer. With sodium restriction, the AII content increased more than 2-fold in the ZG, but not in the decapsulated adrenal tissue. In contrast, both AI and Des-Asp-AI significantly (P less than 0.01) decreased with sodium restriction, so that their contents on the low salt diet were only 15-20% of those observed on the high sodium diet. Thus, there was an inverse correlation (P less than 0.001) between the salt content of rat chow and the AII content of the ZG. The correlation between salt intake and AI as well as Des-Asp-AI levels was direct and significant (P less than 0.02). The AIII level in the ZG was similar on all diets. After a lag period, ZG AII increased sharply between 16-48 h of sodium restriction. These data document that sodium intake has a profound effect on the angiotensin content of the ZG, with sodium restriction substantially increasing the levels of AII while reducing the level of its substrate, AI. This also appears to be unique for glomerulosa cells, as in the decapsulated adrenal gland there is little if any change with sodium restriction. We conclude that these sodium-mediated changes in tissue AII production may be involved in the increased responsiveness of glomerulosa cells to aldosterone secretagogues during sodium restriction.

A hypocaloric high-protein diet as primary therapy for adults with obesity-related diabetes: effective long-term use in a community hospital.

The use of reducing diets as the sole therapy for the long-term management of obese diabetic patients has been generally unsuccessful. Most previous attempts took place with a few patients in university hospital clinical research centers. We placed 36 such patients on a hypocaloric high-protein food diet, consisting of 1.7-2.0 g protein/kg ideal body wt, during admission to a community hospital. After beginning this diet, patients could be weaned from sliding-scale regular insulin in an average of 1.9 days. Patients remained on this diet after discharge (mean hospital stay = 4.3 days), and complex carbohydrates were gradually added up to 80 g daily. Outpatient long-term management consisted of alternating biweekly visits to a sole nurse practitioner or physician or to a group discussion meeting. Follow-up averaged 41 wk, during which eight patients (22%) had sustained weight loss throughout and remained euglycemic. Twenty patients (56%) initially lost weight (average: 23% of ideal body weight), then plateaued weight, but have also remained euglycemic. Only eight patients, (22%) required insulin. Side effects of the diet were not serious in any patient; no one had myocardial irritability or serum potassium less than 2.9 meq/L. This hypocaloric high-protein diet thus appears to be a generally successful means of weaning obese diabetic adult patients from insulin. This can be done rapidly, safely, and permanently in the community. Such diet therapy appears to require minimal laboratory and hospital resources that are available to all health care providers.

[Significance of the gestalt, primary, and family therapy for psychoanalysis]. / Die Bedeutung der Gestalt-, Primär- und Familientherapie für die Psychoanalyse.

The technical therapeutic premises and the application of gestalt-, primal- and familytherapy are investigated. It is concluded, that these premises and application attempt to do justice to the change of the patients and to the widely varied offer of serious syndromes rather than to psychoanalytic routine by "Uberinvestierung" in the patient. Not only the insistence on ego-psychology but also the emphasis on transference as the only therapeutic medium are viewed critically. The confrontation is in competition with the interpretion; The acting out can help to intensify experience. As the most important result for psychoanalytic work appears the conclusion "ex omissione".