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Understanding how human activities affect animal biodiversity is essential to investigations about the biological effects of several pollutants and contaminants dispersed in the environment. This is the case of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), which are emerging pollutants whose effect on reptiles' health is completely unknown. Thus, the objective of the present study is to evaluate the possible damages induced by these NPs in Podocnemis expansa juveniles (Amazon turtle) by using morphological changes of circulating erythrocytes as nuclear toxicity biomarker. The animals were exposed to the intramuscular administration of 440 µg/kg and 440,000 µg/kg of ZnO NPs, for 10 consecutive days. The micronuclei assay and other nuclear abnormalities were performed at the end of the experiment, as well as different morphometric measurements applied to the erythrocytes. Based on the current data, ZnO NPs induced nuclear abnormalities such as micronuclei and binucleation, which are associated with carcinogenic processes and with flaws in the mitotic machinery. The low "nuclear area: erythrocyte area" ratio and larger cytoplasmic area observed for animals exposed to NPs evidenced erythrocytic change induction likely related to negative energy balance/metabolism interferences and/or to oxygen transportation efficiency by erythrocytes. This is the first report on the mutagenic and cytotoxic effect induced by NPs on representatives of a group of reptiles. This outcome suggests that further investigations must focus on better understanding the (eco)toxicological potential of ZnO NPs.

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The advent of biotechnology provided the synthesis of nanoproducts with diverse applications in the field of medicine, agriculture, food, among others. However, the toxicity of many nanoparticles (NP) currently used, which can penetrate natural systems and impact organisms, is not known. Thus, in this study, we evaluated whether the short exposure (5 days) to low concentrations of chitosan-coated zein nanoparticles (ZNP-CS) (0.2 ng/kg, 40 ng/kg, and 400.00 ng/kg) was capable of causing behavioral alterations compatible with cognitive deficit, as well as anxiety and depression-like behavior in Swiss mice. However, we observed an anxiogenic effect in the animals exposed to the highest ZNP-CS concentration (400.00 ng/kg), without locomotor alterations suggestive of sedation or hyperactivity in the elevated plus maze (EPM) test. We also observed that the ZNP-CS caused depressive-like behavior, indicated by the longer immobile time in the tail suspension test and the animals exposed to ZNP-CS presented deficit in recognition of the new object, not related to locomotor alteration in this test. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the neurotoxicity of ZNP in a mammal animal model, contributing to the biological safety assessment of these nanocomposites.

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INTRODUÇÃO: O tumor de pele não melanoma é o câncer mais frequente no Brasil. A ressecção cirúrgica é um dos pilares do manejo e ações assistenciais como mutirões de cirurgias são formas de reduzir o tempo de espera por tratamento. MÉTODOS: Nesse trabalho, conduziu-se um estudo transversal com 40 pacientes, 20 deles participantes de mutirão e 20 controles. Coletaram-se dados epidemiológicos, além de nove perguntas relacionadas à qualidade do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). RESULTADOS: Observou-se diferença significativa entre as respostas relacionadas ao tempo de espera por cirurgias no SUS (p < 0,05). CONCLUSÃO: Pode-se verificar melhora na impressão dos pacientes em relação ao SUS quando incluídos em ações assistenciais.

INTRODUCTION: Non-melanoma skin cancer is the most prevalent cancer in Brazil. Surgical resection is one of the pillars of management, and care actions, such as surgical task forces, are one way to reduce treatment waiting time. METHODS: In this research, we conducted a cross-sectional study with 40 patients; 20 of whom were treated by a surgical task force and 20 were controls. Epidemiological data were collected in addition to answers to nine questions related to the quality of the Single Health System (SUS in Portuguese). RESULTS: A significant difference was observed in responses related to the waiting time for surgery in the SUS (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: One can observe an improvement in the perception of patients, with regard to the SUS, when included in care actions.

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Introdução: Os retalhos miocutâneos representam uma importante arma com que conta o cirurgião plástico quando se depara com grandes defeitos a serem cobertos após ressecção de tumores. Objetivo: O presente estudo tem por objetivo relatar a incidência de complicações com o uso de retalhos miocutâneos de músculo peitoral maior para reconstrução em cirurgia oncológica, em especial de cabeça e pescoço. Método: Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo. Foram estudados pacientes operados por lesões malignas de cabeça e pescoço,nos quais se usou a técnica em discussão. Resultados: Foram avaliados 116 pacientes operados no período entre março de 1994 e julho de 2009. Houve 2 perdas totais de retalho,14 perdas parciais e formação de 17 fístulas. Conclusão: A incidência de complicações foi relativamente alta, o que relacionamos com o avançado estádio de doença dos pacientes operados e estado nutricional dos mesmos, além do porte das cirurgias. Apesar disso, os autores consideram o retalho miocutâneo de músculo peitoral maior um grande aliado parao cirurgião plástico que trabalha em reconstrução de cabeça e pescoço.

Introduction: The myocutaneous flap is an important tool on which the plastic surgeon relies when handling major defects after tumors resection. Purpose: The objective of this study is reporting the incidence of post-operative complications with myocutaneous flap of pectoralis muscle for repairs in oncologic surgery, especially head and neck. Methods: A retrospective survey was performed. Patients with head and neck malignancies submitted to this technique were studied. Results: Between March/1994 and July/2009, 116 patients submitted to oncologic surgery were evaluated. There were 2 total flap losses, 14 partial flap losses and 17 fistulas. Conclusion: The incidence of surgical complications was relatively high, what we believe to be linked with the advanced oncologic disease stage in our population, their nutritional condition and the nature of the surgery. Despite that, the authors consider that the myocutaneous flap of pectoralis muscle is a good choice for plastic surgeons working in head and neck reconstruction.

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