Environmental Smoke

FIRST RECORD OF THE ASIAN CLAM Corbicula largillierti (PHILIPPI, 1844) IN THE LOWER SÃO FRANCISCO RIVER, NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL

2023-08-31T11:14:12+00:00

The Asian clam of the genus Corbicula is the most successful freshwater invader worldwide. In this research note, the presence of the Corbicula largillierti is recorded for the first time in the Lower São Francisco River. This record is based on the collection of living organisms from the Xingó Hydroelectric Power Plant reservoir. This is the second corbiculid species recorded in the region. Further investigation is required on characteristics such as its distribution, interactions with native and other invasive species, as well as its possible environmental impact.

TWO IN ONE: REPORT OF TWO EPIBIONTS GROUPS ON THE Callinectes bocourti A. MILNE-EDWARDS, 1879 (DECAPODA: PORTUNIDAE) FROM THE AMAZON PROVINCE

2023-08-31T11:14:33+00:00

Case studies reporting crustaceans acting as basibionts for a wide range of encrusting invertebrates are widely observed in the literature. For swimming crabs of the genus Callinectes, these commensal interactions are commonly observed in estuaries and coastal zones worldwide. Despite the broad distribution of Callinectes bocourti A. Milne-Edwards, 1879 in Amazon province, the occurrence of epibiosis for this species in the area is rarely reported. Herein, we report the double occurrence of epibiont groups: the mollusks Ostrea puelchana d’Orbigny, 1842 and Sphenia fragilis (H. Adams & A. Adams, 1854) and the barnacles Amphibalanus improvisus (Darwin, 1854) and Chelonibia testudinaria (Linnaeus, 1758) from the new host C. bocourti, collected from the Amazon province, Brazil. The specimens of C. bocourti showing epibionts were collected manually in low tide, with a baited trap called “puçá”, in the region of Curuçá River mouth, state of Pará (0°40’3,705”S, 047°54”43,405”W). We observed five specimens of C. bocourti showing double cases of epibiosis, composed by mollusks and crustaceans sharing the same area. In addition, here, we expand the range extension of the mollusk O. puelchana and we register the presence of the invasive species barnacle A. improvisus from the state of Pará, being this last species, reported as parasite adhered in carapace and branchial chambers of the host.

THE AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION IN DHAKA (BANGLADESH) URBAN AREA: A GENDER PERSPECTIVE

2023-08-31T11:14:30+00:00

Growth efforts and the growing population have been creating an adverse impact on our bio-diversity therefore human health is at higher risk, and human civilization came closer to a severe Environmental crisis. Impacts of environmental degradation especially of air and water pollution have been severe and challenging in Bangladesh, and generally, city dwellers face higher pollution levels than rural residents in their everyday lives. The broad aim of this study is to assess the environmental awareness level of the population of Dhaka city. Based on both primary and secondary data, the study reveals a huge lack of awareness of environmental challenges and the necessity of handling these concerns with appropriate initiatives. Gender perspective reveals women’s potential areas of contribution to handling environmental challenges. Both men and women need to be brought under strategic environmental awareness and education programs for sustainable and healthy urban life in Bangladesh, the study concludes.

RELATIONSHIP OF OLDER PEOPLE IN THE RURAL AREA OF SOUTHWEST PARANÁ (BRAZIL) WITH INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES (ICTS)

2023-08-31T11:14:28+00:00

There are many challenges hinder the digital inclusion of people over 60. It is understood that the logic of inventions is to contribute to society. However, over the years, as technological evolution becomes necessary and develops rapidly, some generations, among them older people, need help keeping up with or adapting to them. Through exploratory research with a qualitative approach, where bibliographical research and the application of a questionnaire were used, we selected older adults of both sexes, in which we sought to analyze the appropriation and use of ICTs by older adults affiliated with the Cooperative Cresol União dos Pinhais, located in Coronel Vivida, a city in the mesoregion of Southwest Paraná, describing their main challenges facing digital inclusion. In general, the interviewees demonstrated the appropriation of ICTs, even with some difficulty and technical and skill challenges. However, they are aware of the importance of improving the use of the tools for their cognitive development and other potentialities related to decision-making in their rural property.

BEHAVIORAL EVALUATION OF VETERINARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS IN SMALL ANIMAL CLINICS

2023-08-31T11:14:26+00:00

The communication between animal patient, owner and veterinarian proves to be a point of outstanding importance, which can influence many real developments that affect the general quality of all involved. A relatively high risk of interaction was described between veterinarians, which produced impacts on the relationship of these mentioned individuals, demonstrating how important the study and comprehensive research is to prevent certain relationships that influence the professional action of the veterinarian, the guardian, and the main individual, which is the animal patient. Seeking to elucidate these aspects, this article explains, in the light of psychobiology and psychopedagogy, factors such as perceived stress, anxiety, depression, emotional suffering, emotional exhaustion, personal fulfillment, secondary traumatic stress and satisfaction through compassion, looking for associations between satisfaction of the client and measures of welfare of the veterinarians, under the action of the treatment of the animal patients. The need for greater attention to this topic, so important and so present in the life of the veterinary medical professional, is highlighted.

PRESENCE OF METACERCARIAE OF Opisthorchis sp. BLANCHARD, 1895 (TREMATODA: OPISTHORCHIIDAE) IN NEW HOST Macrobrachium amazonicum (HELLER, 1862), FROM THE NORTHERN BRAZIL: AN EMERGING RISK TO HUMANS BY THE SHRIMP CONSUMPTION

2023-08-31T11:14:24+00:00

Herein, we report the first observation of the metacercaria Opisthorchis sp. Blanchard, 1895 recovered from a new intermediate host Macrobrachium amazonicum (Heller, 1862), an important food resource from northern Brazil, emphasising the risk of contamination from inappropriate human consumption. The shrimp specimens of M. amazonicum were collected during June 2023, using a local trap called matapi in the Guamá River (01°27’54.2”S; 048°26’02.6”W), which supplies the city of Belém, showing a characteristic of an eutrophicated river. The collected specimens were sexed, measured, weighted and dissected in the carapace region, to observe the presence of parasites in gills, hepatopancreas and gonads. We observed 56 specimens of M. amazonicum (20 males, 32 females and 4 ovigerous females), of which thirteen individuals (23.21% of total sampled) showed encysted metacercariae of Opisthorchis sp. only in gonadal tissues, with high preference in females (66.6%), when compared with males (33.4%). The observation of metacercaria in Amazon river prawn is a risk to human health, due to the parasite's life cycle being completed in humans, leading to several health problems such as hepatic and biliary degradation, diarrhoea, vomiting and respiratory problems. Additionally, the eutrophication process observed in the Guamá River may favour parasite proliferation, and dissemination to other hosts and regions, possibly increasing the cases of people infected with parasites in Belém metropolitan area. Based on that, this work is an alert to the authorities for the risk of contamination of the population due to inadequate consumption of (molluscs, crustaceans and fishes) from the eutrophic waters of the Guamá River and adjacent waters.

ASSESSMENT OF INDOOR SECOND-HAND CIGARETTE SMOKE ON THE RESPIRATORY MECHANICS AND PREVENTIVE BENEFITS OF EUCALYPTOL: A MURINE MODEL

2023-08-31T11:14:22+00:00

Second-hand smokers, in various settings such as recreational areas, schools, workplaces, homes and other enclosed public spaces also experience the detrimental effects of exposure to cigarette smoke (CS). Out of the 8 million deaths attributed to smoking, 1.2 million are a result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke. As a preventive strategy to these damages, Eucalyptol has been shown to be effective in the treatment of lung lesions caused by smoking. This study aimed to assess the effects of indoor second-hand cigarette smoke on respiratory mechanics and lung tissue, in addition to investigating the potential benefit of Eucalyptol against lung damage caused by this type of aggression. The experiments were conducted for 14 days with 40 BALB/c mice, divided into 5 groups: a control group, two groups nebulized with saline solution, divided into active and passive (second-hand) exposure to CS, two groups pre-treated with eucalyptol (10 mg/mL by nebulization) divided into active and passive exposure to CS. Lung mechanics data were collected on a flexiVent® small animal mechanical ventilator. In addition, ex vivo analysis of lung tissue micromechanics, morphometric analyzes and qualitative analyzes of lung tissue were performed. The results showed that 14 days of second-hand exposure generated significant tissue damage, causing infiltration of inflammatory cells and altering respiratory mechanics. However, pre-treatment with eucalyptol was able to prevent all changes caused by CS in both exposure protocols. We conclude that indoor second-hand smoke is capable of causing damage similar to active tobacco consumption and that Eucalyptol can be used as a preventive or nutritional resource against the changes caused by the inhalation of cigarette smoke.

FIXED OIL DERIVED FROM Caryocar coriaceum (PEQUI FRUIT) PREVENTS TISSUE AND FUNCTIONAL ALTERATIONS IN THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM INDUCED HOUSEHOLD AIR POLLUTION ORIGINATING FROM BIOMASS

2023-08-31T11:14:19+00:00

The reuse of biomass residue can be in different ways, such as pellets obtained through the compaction of green coconut shell. Despite the advantages, studies relate the burning of biomass as the main source of household air pollution. Indoor pollution is also correlated with serious consequences for groups considered at risk, such as asthmatics. As a result, the population is looking for alternative and low-cost treatments through natural products with anti-inflammatory characteristics, such as the fixed oil of Caryocar coriaceum (CC). In the present study, we evaluated the effects of oral CC ingestion on the respiratory system of mice submitted to a model of chronic exposure to smoke from the combustion of coconut shell pellets (CSP) and submitted to the OVA-induced asthma model. We performed analysis of the gaseous composition in the exposure chamber and analyzes of different aspects of the respiratory system. CC could prevent inflammatory cell infiltration and alveolar collapse. Furthermore, it was able to avoid changes in the airway resistance, tissue resistance, elastance, compliance and inspiratory capacity. Our findings demonstrate the effects of long-term exposure to indoor pollution and suggest that dietary intake of CC may be a strategy to prevent respiratory diseases.

LENGTH-WEIGHT RELATIONSHIPS OF THREE FRESHWATER MUSSEL SPECIES FROM THE AMAZON (UNIONIDA, HYRIIDAE)

2023-08-31T11:14:15+00:00

Length-weight relationships of three freshwater mussel species (Hyriidae), Eastern Amazon: the length-weight relationships allow important biological estimates for the fisheries management of species. Through this relationship, it is possible to estimate the weight of the individuals by their lengths, from which the biomass of the studied population can be determined. In addition, it gathers important data to assess the ecological patterns of different populations. The aim of this study was to analyze the length-weight relationships and their respective meat yields of three species of freshwater mussels: Castalia ambigua, Triplodon corrugatus and Paxyodon syrmatophorus from Capim River Bay, Pará, Brazil. For this, the total length, visceral weight, and total weight of 1,057 individuals were determined. All three relationships were considered strong, with determination coefficients greater than 0.9. The species C. ambigua showed negative allometric growth, while the other species P. syrmatophorus and T. corrugatus showed isometric growth. The species with the highest meat yield was P. syrmatophorus with 14.8%. The study presents the first parameter record of weight-length relationships for these three freshwater mussel species.