Levels of toxic and essential metals in maternal and umbilical cord blood from selected areas of South Africa-results of a pilot study

This pilot study uses concentrations of metals in maternal and cord blood at delivery, in seven selected geographical areas of South Africa, to determine prenatal environmental exposure to toxic metals. Samples of maternal and cord whole blood were analysed for levels of cadmium, mercury, lead, manganese, cobalt, copper, zinc, arsenic and selenium. Levels of some measured metals differed by site, indicating different environmental pollution levels in the regions selected for the study. Mercury levels were elevated in two coastal populations studied (Atlantic and Indian Ocean sites) with mothers from the Atlantic site having the highest median concentration of 1.78 mu g/L ranging from 0.44 to 8.82 mu g/L, which was found to be highly significant (p < 0.001) when compared to other sites, except the Indian Ocean site. The highest concentration of cadmium was measured in maternal blood from the Atlantic site with a median value of 0.25 mu g/L (range 0.05-0.89 mu g/L), and statistical significance of p < 0.032, when compared to all other sites studied, and p < 0.001 and p < 0.004 when compared to rural and industrial sites respectively, confounding factor for elevated cadmium levels was found to be cigarette smoking. Levels of lead were highest in the urban site, with a median value of 32.9 mu g/L (range 16-81.5 mu g/L), and statistically significant when compared with other sites (p < 0.003). Levels of selenium were highest in the Atlantic site reaching statistical significance (p < 0.001). All analysed metals were detected in umbilical cord blood samples and differed between sites, with mercury being highest in the Atlantic site (p < 0.001), lead being highest in the urban site (p < 0.004) and selenium in the Atlantic site (p < 0.001). To the best of our knowledge this pilot investigation is the first study performed in South Africa that measured multiple metals in delivering mothers and umbilical cord blood samples. These results will inform the selection of the geographical sites requiring further investigation in the main study.

Genome-wide association study for feedlot average daily gain in Nellore cattle (Bos indicus)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Performance of different rubber tree clones against South American leaf blight (Microcyclus ulei)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Aplicação de um método ergonômico para avaliação da permanência e atratividade em espaço público aberto: estudo de caso Parque Vitória Régia, Bauru - SP

There are several researches on evaluation of urban public space, but not all establish a relationship between the configuration of spaces with the thermal environment, ergonomics and environmental behavior of users. To understand this relationship, the aim of this paper is to present the model DEPAN (Design for Permanence and Attractiveness in niches open spaces of conviviality), based on graphical meshes, which were designed to evaluate the influence of design and ergonomics of open public spaces in the human thermal comfort and the ways in which users appropriate the space. Its applicability is demonstrated through a case study conducted in a park in the city of Bauru-SP. To perform this evaluation public space niches were chosen. They were formed by morphological elements and street furniture and defined by their spatial arrangements. The collected data were incorporated into a Geographic Information System (GIS), which allowed the overlay of meshes. The results indicate that the DEPAN model allows the verification of the spatial characteristics, thermal quality and ergonomic design generated by spaces, as well as the evaluation of the influence of these aspects in the way of using the spaces. The model allows the generation of a classification for every niche and set a value for the level of service offered.

Encoprese e intervenção psicológica: revisão de literatura

Studies have shown that encopresis, related to bowel control disorder, can bring significant impact for the individual life, such as low self-esteem and deficits in social interaction. Despite the significant impairment recognized that this disorder can have on child development, the scientific literature has given little attention to the theme, with a low number of publications on the subject. Thus, this paper investigated Brazilian publications in psychology related to encopresis between 1994 and 2013 in data base Lilacs and Scielo. 231 articles were found and were selected those that reported only intervention in encopresis. There were five articles and four published by the same journal and described behavioral interventions, and one author wrote three. The other one was psychoanalytic. The surveys were conducted with children and adolescents and behavioral interventions have been successful with remission of encopresis symptoms. The data affirm the deficiency in publications in the area and possibly limited number of psychologists investigating the issue, which is of significant importance.

Performance of different rubber tree clones against South American leaf blight (Microcyclus ulei)

This study was aimed to evaluate the behaviour of eighteen clones of Hevea brasiliensis (rubber) against South American leaf blight and tostudy progress of the disease. The experiment was conducted in Cachoeiro de Itapemirim-ES, where 18 clones were evaluated. The experi-mental design was a randomized block with four replicates; each experimental unit consisted of three plants. Evaluations were performed at15-day intervals on 30 leaflets per tree. Disease incidence was quantified and infection classified according to the stages of development andtype of damage. Leaf blight occurred during the entire experimental period; however, disease intensity varied with the resistance level of theclones and the time of year. Clones FX 3864, RRIM 725, RRIM 711, IAC 300 and IAN 873 exhibited the highest resistance to leaf blight.