Tropical dermatology: Marine and aquatic dermatology

Dermatoses caused by marine organisms are frequently seen in dermatology clinics worldwide. Cutaneous injuries after exposure to marine environments include bacterial and fungal infections and lesions caused by aquatic plants and protists. Some of these diseases are well known by dermatologists, such as Vibrio vulnificus septicemia and erysipeloid, but others are uncommon, such as envenomation caused by ingestion or contact with certain dinoflagellates or cyanobacteria, which are associated with rashes that can begin Within minutes after exposure. Many marine/aquatic invertebrates, such as sponges, cnidarians, echinoderms, crustaceans, and mollusks, are associated with different kinds of dermatologic lesions that call vary from irritant or allergic contact dermatitis to physical trauma and envenomations. These cutaneous lesions May result in mild local reactions or can be associated with severe systemic reactions. Invertebrate animals, such as cnidarians, sea urchins, and worms, and aquatic vertebrates, such as venomous fishes and stingrays, are commonly associated with skin lesions in many countries, where they call constitute occupational dermatoses among fishermen and scuba divers, but they can also be observed among persons who contact these animals in kitchens or beaches. The presence of unusual lesions, a recent travel history, and/or a report of contact with an aquatic environment (including ownership of a marine or freshwater aquarium) should alert the dermatologist to the etiology of the cutaneous problems. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2009;61:733-50.)

Type C botulism in swine fed on restaurant waste

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Avaliação de NO2 na atmosfera de ambientes externos e internos na cidade de Araraquara, São Paulo

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

Indoor NO2 air pollution and lung function of professional cooks

Studies of cooking-generated NO2 effects are rare in occupational epidemiology. In the present study, we evaluated the lung function of professional cooks exposed to NO2 in hospital kitchens. We performed spirometry in 37 cooks working in four hospital kitchens and estimated the predicted FVC, FEV1 and FEF25-75, based on age, sex, race, weight, and height, according to Knudson standards. NO2 measurements were obtained for 4 consecutive days during 4 different periods at 20-day intervals in each kitchen. Measurements were performed inside and outside the kitchens, simultaneously using Palm diffusion tubes. A time/exposure indicator was defined as representative of the cumulative exposure of each cook. No statistically significant effect of NO2 exposure on FVC was found. Each year of work as a cook corresponded to a decrease in predicted FEV1 of 2.5% (P = 0.046) for the group as a whole. When smoking status and asthma were included in the analysis the effect of time/exposure decreased about 10% and lost statistical significance. on predicted FEF25-75, a decrease of 3.5% (P = 0.035) was observed for the same group and the inclusion of controllers for smoking status and asthma did not affect the effects of time/exposure on pulmonary function parameter. After a 10-year period of work as cooks the participants of the study may present decreases in both predicted FEV1 and FEF25-75 that can reach 20 and 30%, respectively. The present study showed small but statistically significant adverse effects of gas stove exposure on the lung function of professional cooks.

Evaluation of urban ants (hymenoptera: formicidae) as vectors of microorganisms in residential and industrial environments: II. Fungi

Collections in households and industrial kitchens were done aiming at evaluating the potential of urban ants in spreading fungi. The most abundant ant species in households were Tapinoma melanocephalum and Paratrechina longicornis. In industrial kitchens Paratrechina longicornis and Monomorium floricola were the most common. Tapinoma melanocephalum was the species that most carried fungi, followed by Paratrechina longicornis, Tetramorium sp., Monomorium pharaonis and Monomorium floricola. An aflatoxigenic strain of Aspergillus flavus was isolated.

Condições higiênico-sanitárias de alimentos prontos para o consumo servidos em escolas públicas de um município da região noroeste do Estado de São Paulo e perfil de sensibilidade das cepas de Staphylococcus aureus e Escherichia coli isoladas frente a agentes antimicrobianos

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação das condições higiênico-sanitárias da alimentação servida às crianças em escolas do município de São José do Rio Preto - SP

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Condições ambientais em escolas municipais de ensino infantil da cidade de Marília (São Paulo): estudo de caso

Pós-graduação em Design - FAAC

Enterotoxinas de Staphylococus coagulase positiva e negativa isoladas das fossas nasais e mãos de manipuladores de alimentos

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FMVZ

Pobreza, privação e transferência de renda na várzea amazônica: um estudo de caso para Sirituba em Abaetetuba, Pará

A pobreza é um problema multidimensional que se traduz em termos de privações e insuficiência de capacidades básicas. Os índices multidimensionais permitem uma análise apurada da qualidade de vida relacionada com a pobreza, considerando algumas dimensões importantes e representam um grande avanço na problemática do planejamento do desenvolvimento. O objetivo geral dessa pesquisa foi o de analisar as privações enfrentadas pelas famílias na comunidade Sirituba em Abaetetuba/PA, de acordo com as dimensões e indicadores do Índice de Pobreza Multidimensional (IPM) e analisar o impacto de transferências de renda em bens duráveis domésticos das famílias. A análise com famílias que recebem e não recebem transferências de renda mostrou que a duas tem a mesma quantidade de bens duráveis domésticos. A análise adaptada do IPM para Sirituba constatou que algumas famílias sofrem privações devido à baixa escolaridade dos chefes de família, à falta de acesso seguro água potável, à falta de saneamento básico e ao método rústico para cozinhas. Verificou-se também uma tendência de melhora no Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano Municipal (IDHM) de Abaetetuba. O município evoluiu da faixa de “muito baixo desenvolvimento humano” para o “médio desenvolvimento humano”, isso representa uma evolução nos indicadores de educação, longevidade e renda. No entanto, sabe-se que a área urbana de Abaetetuba não apresenta os mesmos serviços públicos de uma área rural como Sirituba. O Censo 2000 e 2010 consideram dados diferentes para cada uma dessas áreas demonstrando que os serviços de energia elétrica e abastecimento de água, prestados na área rural, são menos disponíveis em comparação a área urbana de Abaetetuba.

Estudo das condições de preparo da merenda escolar em creches

Foods are susceptible to be contaminated with several etiologic agents, which can lead to the development of illnesses, triggered by pathogenic microorganisms or their toxins. Food prepared and improperly stored can be the diseases vehicle. This study aimed at evaluating the sanitary conditions in preparing free school meals in the nursery schools, located in a city of the state of São Paulo. This study was conducted by performing microbiological analyses of samples collected from hands of workers responsible for preparing food, and of the water samples used for cleansing and preparing foods. The kitchen physical, structural and cleaning conditions were assessed by means of a checklist. This study analyzed 31 samples from worker hands swab, and 21 samples of water collected from three school kitchens. This study pointed out that the food handlers training should be improved, and a peremptory control of the water used for food preparation purpose should be established. Also, this study showed that the evaluated schools maintain the respective kitchens in a good standard of conservation and cleanliness.

Perfil microbilógico de diferentes tipos de saladas provenientes de cozinhas hospitalares

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FMVZ

Hurdles at work: perceptions of hospital food handlers

Abstract Background Food handlers have a very important role in preventing food contamination during its preparation and distribution. This responsibility is even greater in hospitals, since a large number of patients have low immunity and consequently food contamination by pathogenic bacteria could be particularly harmful. Therefore, a good working environment and periodic training should be provided to food handlers by upper management. Methods This study is qualitative research by means of focus group and thematic content analysis methodologies to examine, in detail, the statements by food handlers working in the milk and specific-diet kitchens in a hospital to understand the problems they face in the workplace. Results We found that food handlers are aware of the role they play in restoring patients' health; they consider it important to offer a good-quality diet. However, according to their perceptions, a number of difficulties prevent them from reaching this aim. These include: upper management not prioritizing human and material resources to the dietetic services when making resource allocation decisions; a perception that upper management considers their work to be of lesser importance; delayed overtime payments; lack of periodic training; managers lacking administrative skills; insufficient dietitian staff assistants, leading to overwork, at the same time as there is an excess of dietitians; unhealthy environmental working conditions – high temperature, high humidity, loud and constant noise level, poor ventilation; lack of food, and kitchen utensils and equipment; and relationship conflicts with chief dieticians and co-workers. Conclusion From these findings, improvement in staff motivation could be achieved by considering non-financial incentives, such as improvement in working conditions and showing appreciation and respect through supervision, training and performance appraisal. Management action, such as investments in intermediary management so that managers have the capacity to provide supportive supervision, as well as better use of performance appraisal and access to training, may help overcome the identified problems.

A Study of Radon in Air and Water in Maine Schools

The transfer coefficient of radon from water to air was investigated in schools. Kitchens, bathrooms and locker rooms were studied for seven schools in Maine. Simulations were done in water-use rooms where radon in air detectors were in place. Quantities measured were radon in water (270-24500 F) and air (0-80 q), volume of water used, emissivities (0.01-0.99) and ventilation rates (0.012-0.066A). Variation throughout the room of the radon concentration was found. Values calculated for the transfer coefficient for kitchens and baths were ranged from 9.6 x to 2.0 x The transfer coefficient was calculated using these parameters and was also measured using concentrations of radon in water and air. This provides a means by which radon in air can be estimated using the transfer coefficient and the concentration in the water in other schools and it can be used to estimate the dose caused by radon released from water use. This project was partially funded by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (grant #X828l2 101-0) and by the State of Maine (grant #10A500178). These are the first measurements of this type to be done in schools in the United States.

A qualitative assessment of the impact of Texas policy changes on nutrition in child care centers in Travis County, Texas

Background. Over half of children in the United States under age five spend 32 hours a week in child care, facilities, where they consume approximately 33-50% of their food intake. ^ Objectives. The aim of this research was to identify the effects of state nutrition policies on provision of food in child care centers. ^ Subjects. Eleven directors or their designee from ten randomly selected licensed child care centers in Travis County, Texas were interviewed. Centers included both nonprofit and for-profit centers, with enrollments ranging from 19 to 82. ^ Methods. Centers were selected using a web-based list of licensed child care providers in the Austin area. One-on-one interviews were conducted in person with center directors using a standard set of questions developed from previous pilot work. Interview items included demographic data, questions about state policies regarding provision of foods in centers, effects of policies on child care center budgets and foods offered, and changes in the provision of food. All interviews were audiotaped and transcribed, and themes were identified using standard qualitative techniques. ^ Results. Four of the centers provided both meals and snacks, four provided snacks only, and two did not provide any food. Directors of centers that provided food were more likely to report adherence to the Minimum Standards than directors of centers that did not. In general, center directors reported that the regulations were loosely enforced. In contrast, center directors were more concerned about a local city-county regulation that required food permits and new standards for kitchens. Most of these local regulations were cost prohibitive and, as a result, centers had changed the types of foods provided, which included providing less fresh produce and more prepackaged items. Although implementation of local regulations had reduced provision of fruits and vegetables to children, no adjustments were reported for allocation of resources, tuition costs or care of the children. ^ Conclusions. Qualitative data from a small sample of child care directors indicate that the implementation and accountability of food- and nutrition-related guidelines for centers is sporadic, uncoordinated, and can have unforeseen effects on the provision of food. A quantitative survey and dietary assessment methods should be conducted to verify these findings in a larger and more representative sample.^