Changes in Muscle and Collagen Fibers of Fish after Exposure to Urban Pollutants and Biodegradable Detergents

Fish populations are sensitive to environmental impact resulting from many factors, as an introduction of exotic species, industrial or residual waste, oil spills, pesticides or other agents that can directly affect the ecology and species survival. Astyanax altiparanae is pelagic and active swimmer specie and can have serious implications on its way of life as changes in muscle structure of fish may occur since the presence of pollutants in the water. In this study we analyze the alterations in Muscle and collagen fibers of the pectoral muscles and pollutants exposed flows contained in water with biodegradable detergents, and water coming from the Blue Lake, River clear-SP (2o24'39"S, 47o33'39"E) diluted. Effects of these exposures were analyzed during the period of seven and thirty days. Compared with acclimatized fish (Astyanax altiparanae) with pure water from an artesian well, the muscle fibers morphology and collagen concentration on them have changed due to the exposure to urban pollutants and biodegradable detergents.

Genetic diversity and population structure of Prochilodus costatus and Prochilodus argenteus preceding dam construction in the Paraopeba River,Sao Francisco River Basin,Minas Gerais,Brazil

Curimat?-pioa (Prochilodus costatus) and curimat?-pacu (Prochilodus argenteus) are migratory fish species endemic to the S?o Francisco River Basin in Brazil. Both species play important roles in local fisheries and ecology in the Paraopeba River. A dam was recently constructed on this river and to help in the development and conservation programs, we characterized the genetic variation of both species before dam construction. Complex hypervariable repeats micro-satellite was used to asses genetic variation for both species within and between the five collection sites in order to detect population substructuring. Nucleotide substitutions and insertion/deletion polymorphisms (indels) resulted in 35 P. costatus haplotypes (sample size = 89) and 22 P. argenteus haplotypes (sample size = 32). Significant genetic diversity and population differentiation was detected between five sampling sites for both species. Therefore, each of the five sites should be regarded as a group comprising significant genetic differences in species conservation and maintenance plans. Comparing these results to genetic diversity measures after dam construction will be critical for future management in this region.

Resolutive Results with Oral Corticosteroids for Patients with COVID-19 in Pulmonary Inflammatory Phase. Successful Outpatient Experience during the Collapse of Belem Do Para Health System—Brazil

In the face of new diseases, medicine needs to reinvent itself in order to contain and control epidemics, such as the one we have recently faced, COVID-19, a disease with a wide spectrum of clinical severity. A new moment has been established, since the application of well-known, effective and safe medications for other diseases, has shown high success rates in the treatment of COVID-19. Thereunto, studies with early intervention are needed, which can change the unfavorable outcome of patients. In this article, we report the successful experience using an oral strategy during the collapse of Belem (Para, Brazil) Health System. Two hundred and ten patients were diagnosed with respiratory failure due to COVID-19, with no option of hospital treatment due to lack of beds and resources. These patients were then started on therapeutic regimen consisting of 40 mg prednisolone, 40 mg enoxaparin and macrolides (500 mg clarithromycin, 500 mg axetylcefuroxime) associated and followed in outpatient facilities. Two hundred and eight patients had an excellent therapeutic response and there were only two fatalities. These results push research boundaries, valuing outpatient treatment with early use of prednisolone in the initial pulmonary phase, preventing severe COVID-19 pneumonitis. Adoption of the proposed treatment intends to reduce the need for hospitalization, as well as lethality, with social robust benefits and incalculable economic savings since involves the use of accessible, safe and not expensive medications.

Protein profile of leprosy patients with plantar ulcers from the Eastern Amazon region

Background:Studies investigating the nutritional status of patients with leprosy and plantar ulcers are sparse.Therefore,the objective of this study was to describe the protein profile of leprosy patients with plantar ulcers from the Eastern Amazon region.Methods:A case record form was created for 75 patients with leprosy(31 with plantar ulcers and 44 without plantar ulcers)with the following data:sociodemographic characteristics,clinical form of leprosy,presence or absence of plantar ulcers,and nutritional assessment using anthropometry consisting of the measurement of body mass index,arm circumference,arm muscle circumference,and triceps skinfold.Levels of blood albumin,transferrin,and C-reactive protein(CRP)were also measured.Data regarding protein intake were obtained using a Food Frequency Questionnaire.Results:Plantar ulcers occurred more frequently in male patients(67.7%),patients aged 40-49 years(mean±SD:47.3±8.0 years),and patients receiving 300 or 600 USD(71.0%).The mean weight and height of patients were 71.6±11.4 kg and 1.62±0.1 m,respectively.High levels of CRP were detected in 51.6%of leprosy patients with plantar ulcers and only 9.1%of patients without plantar ulcers(P<0.001).Nutritional depletion of transferrin was observed in 14.3%of patients with paucibacillary leprosy and 44.3%of patients with multibacillary leprosy(P=0.0447).Most patients had normal levels of serum albumin(74.2%with plantar ulcers and 77.3%without plantar ulcers).Conclusions:Most leprosy patients with plantar ulcers have normal levels of serum albumin and transferrin and high CRP levels,which indicates the presence of an inflammatory process.Our findings suggest the need to monitor patients with leprosy to prevent the occurrence of plantar ulcers and to provide adequate treatment for patients with existing plantar ulcers.