Ballast water: a review of the impact on the world public health

Since the nineteenth century ships have been using ballast water (BW) for safety, stability, propulsion and maneuverability, as well as to redress loss of fuel weight and water consumption, and to maintain structural stress at acceptable levels. Ballast water has been spreading many non-native species around the globe, but little is known about the extent and potential significance of ship-mediated transfer of microorganisms. The global movements of ballast water by ships create a long-distance dispersal mechanism for human pathogens that may be important in the worldwide distribution of microorganisms, as well as for the epidemiology of waterborne diseases. Only a few studies have been carried out on this subject, most of them involving ballast water containing crustacean larvae and phytoplankton. Specialized microbiological studies on these waters are necessary to avoid a repeat of what happened in 1991, when epidemic cholera was reported in Peru and rapidly spread through Latin America and Mexico. In July of 1992, Vibrio cholerae was found in the USA and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined that it came from ballast water of ships whose last port of call was in South America. In Brazil, just a few studies about the subject have been performed. An exploratory study by the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (Agencia Nacional de Vigilancia Sanitaria - ANVISA) found in ballast water different microorganisms, such as fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Clostridium perfringens, coliphages, Vibrio cholerae O1 and Vibrio cholerae non-O1. Until now, Brazil has been focusing only on organisms transported to its territory from other countries by ballast water, to avoid their establishment and dissemination in Brazilian areas. Studies that can assess the probability that water ballast carries pathogenic microorganisms are extremely important, as is the examination of ships that arrive in the country. Treatment of the human infections caused by BW exists but none is completely safe and efficient.

Anatomical characterization and chemical profile of Laguncularia racemosa (L.) Gaertn leaf blades, from impacted and non-impacted mangroves of the São Paulo Coast

Anatomical characterization and chemical profile of Laguncularia racemosa (L.) Gaertn leaf blades, from impacted and non-impacted mangroves of the São Paulo Coast. Several sources of environmental impact have caused great damage to the flora in mangroves. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the anatomy and chemical composition of Laguncularia racemosa (L.) Gaertn leaf blades, from impacted (Municipality of Santos) and non-impacted mangroves (Municipality of Peruibe) of the São Paulo Coast. For the leaf anatomy studies, light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used. For chemical analysis, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was conducted. The biometry revealed leaf tissues of plants from impacted mangroves with a less thick epidermis and mesophyll and higher width of the central vascular beam. A smaller number of stomata and higher amounts of daises in these leaves were also observed. Results were confirmed by the Student t-test (alpha = 5%). The chemical profiles revealed a higher ammount of secondary metabolites in leaves from the impacted environment.

Subsistemas de comércio costeiros e internalização de interesses na dissolução do Império Colonial português (Santos, 1788-1822)

Discutem-se os primeiros resultados de uma pesquisa sobre o comércio costeiro e suas relações com o funcionamento do sistema colonial e com o contexto da Independência. A tese é de que em portos menores da costa da capitania de São Paulo, como em Santos, havia um grupo de comerciantes que atuava efetivamente no comércio costeiro e defendeu seus interesses de exclusividade de participação nesse setor contra a presença de comerciantes externos à vila. A discussão apoia-se em documentos da alfândega de Santos, como mapas de exportação-importação, mapas de embarcações, ofícios de governadores e juízes da alfândega e requerimentos de negociantes estrangeiros.

Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean 2000

Includes bibliography

Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean 2001

Includes bibliography

Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean 2002

Includes bibliography

Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean 2003

Includes bibliography

Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean 2004

Includes bibliography

Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean 2005

Includes bibliography

Availability, collection and use of data on disability in the Caribbean subregion

Includes bibliography

História e arte sacra do Conjunto Carmelita de Santos

Pós-graduação em Artes - IA

Os descaminhos da bem-aventurança: um estudo sobre a origem e os desdobramentos da concepção de crise paradigmática de Boaventura de Sousa Santos

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Proposals for the liberalization of trade and investment in the Association of Caribbean States (ACS)

Includes bibliography

Desenvolvimento de metodologia high-throughput para estudo populacional do mosquito Aedes aegypti e comparação de dados de genes mitocondriais

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

Utilização de parâmetros microbiológicos para avaliação do impacto da contaminação por petróleo e derivados em sedimentos marinhos. -

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)