RESUMO
Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is a pesticide widely used in Colombia´s agriculture, including crops, farm animals and pets, despite it has been banned for use in the European Union and the United States. Studies demonstrate that even low blood levels of CPF -which do not inhibit blood acetylcholinesterase- can lead to child developmental and neurological disorders such as smaller head circumference and brain alterations, and psychomotor and cognitive deficits related to learning ability, attention and memory. In adults, CPF is an endocrine disruptor and breast carcinogen. High direct and indirect economic costs have been associated with CPF exposure. Not only farmers and their families -who have the highest exposures- but the general population consuming crops sprayed with CPF are also at risk. For these reasons CPF was recently banned by the European Union (2020) and the USA (2021). Pesticide regulation policies vary greatly depending on which and how scientific studies are used to assess health risks. Pesticide evaluations funded by the chemical industry should be rectified to avoid conflicts of interest. Furthermore, political alignment with the interests of the industry should not take precedence over independent scientific evidence. It is discouraging, to say the least, that until stricter health laws are passed in Colombia, CPFs and related pesticides will continue to be imported from those countries that have already banned them. Colombian scientists should raise their voice to challenge blind acceptance of profits over unintended consequences, and efforts to prevent pesticide´s abuse should be encouraged.
El clorpirifos (CPF) es un pesticida ampliamente utilizado en la agricultura de Colombia, incluidos cultivos, animales de granja y mascotas, a pesar de haber sido prohibido en la Unión Europea y Estados Unidos. Los estudios han demostrado que incluso niveles bajos de CPF en sangre -que no inhiben la acetilcolinesterasa sanguínea- pueden provocar trastornos neurológicos y del desarrollo infantil, como menor circunferencia de la cabeza y alteraciones cerebrales, y déficits psicomotores y cognitivos relacionados con la capacidad de aprendizaje, la atención y la memoria. En adultos, el CPF es un disruptor endocrino y causante de cáncer de mama. Altos costos económicos directos e indirectos se han asociado con la exposición al CPF. No solo los trabajadores agrícolas y sus familias, que están más expuestos, sino también la población en general que consume cultivos rociados con CPF también están en riesgo. Por estas razones el CPF fue prohibido recientemente por la Unión Europea (2020) y los EE. UU. (2021). Las políticas de regulación de plaguicidas varían mucho según los estudios científicos escogidos para evaluar los riesgos para la salud. Las evaluaciones de plaguicidas financiadas por la industria química deben rectificarse para evitar conflictos de interés. Además, ante la evidencia científica independiente no debería prevalecer la alineación política con los intereses de dicha industria. Es desalentador, por decir lo menos, que hasta que se aprueben leyes de salud más estrictas en Colombia se seguirán importando CPF y pesticidas relacionados desde aquellos países que ya los han prohibido. Los científicos colombianos deben alzar la voz para desafiar la aceptación ciega de ganancias por encima de las consecuencias no deseadas en salud pública, y se deben alentar los esfuerzos para prevenir el abuso de pesticidas.
Clorpirifós (CPF) é um pesticida registrado amplamente utilizado na agricultura colombiana, incluindo lavouras, animais de fazenda e animais de estimação, apesar de ter sido proibido na União Europeia e nos Estados Unidos. Estudos têm demonstrado que mesmo níveis baixos de CPF no sangue -que não inibem a acetilcolinesterase sanguínea-podem levar a distúrbios neurológicos e de desenvolvimento em crianças, como menor perímetro cefálico e alterações cerebrais, além de déficits psicomotores e cognitivos relacionados à capacidade de aprendizagem, atenção e memoria. Em adultos, o CPF é um desregulador endócrino e cancerígeno da mama. Altos custos econômicos diretos (devido ao tratamento) e indiretos (devido à perda de produtividade) têm sido associados à exposição ao CPF. Não apenas os trabalhadores agrícolas e suas famílias, que têm as maiores exposições, mas a população em geral que consome culturas pulverizadas com CPF também estão em risco. Por essas razões, o CPF foi recentemente proibido pela União Europeia (2020) e pelos EUA (2021). As políticas de regulamentação de pesticidas variam muito, dependendo de quais (e como) os estudos científicos são usados para avaliar os riscos à saúde. As avaliações de pesticidas financiadas pela indústria química devem ser retificadas para evitar conflitos de interesse. Além disso, o alinhamento político com os interesses da indústria não deve ter precedência sobre as evidências científicas independentes. É desanimador - para dizer o mínimo - que até que leis de saúde mais rígidas sejam aprovadas na Colômbia, o CPF e tóxicos relacionados continuarão a ser importados dos países que já os proibiram.
RESUMO
This study surveyed the prescribing behavior of Colombian companion animal veterinarians and compared the responses to the current guidelines of the International Society for Companion Animals on Infectious Diseases (ISCAID). A convenience sample of 100 primary-care veterinary practitioners was selected from the city of Medellin. A questionnaire was designed to present hypothetical clinical scenarios regarding prescription choices for systemic antimicrobials. The numbers of veterinarians empirically prescribing a course of systemic antimicrobials for each scenario were-perioperative elective surgeries (86%), superficial pyoderma (90%), lower urinary tract disease (52%), acute hemorrhagic diarrhea (50%), and kennel cough (46%). For urinary tract disease, cultures and susceptibility testing were only performed by half of the respondents, suggesting lower diagnostic standards. In superficial pyoderma cases, cytology was performed in the following percent of cases-0% (24), 20% (30), 40% (17), 60% (11), 80% (8), and 100% (10). Antimicrobials were over-prescribed relative to emerging standard for elective surgeries (86%), kennel cough (46%), and acute hemorrhagic diarrhea (50%). Critically important antimicrobials, such as fluoroquinolones, were applied commonly for superficial pyoderma (18%), kennel cough (12%), and lower urinary tract disease in dogs (20%) and cats (26%). In conclusion, antimicrobial prescribing behavior was inconsistent with current guidelines, and antimicrobial use could be improved by appropriate diagnostic steps allowing choice of an optimal antimicrobial drug. Overall, we documented the widespread use of antimicrobials for the treatment of these four common disease conditions.
RESUMO
Reproductive success of endangered Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) colonies in Peru has been associated with nesting habitat type, presumably due to differences in environmental exposure and activity patterns that may affect energy demands and metabolism. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry were used to determine serum concentrations of 19 saccharides from 30 Humboldt penguins nesting at Punta San Juan, Peru in order to evaluate differences in metabolic state between penguins nesting in a sheltered burrow or crevice (n = 17) and those in exposed surface nests (n = 13). Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses identified serum saccharides (arabinose, maltose, glucose-6-phosphate, and levoglucosenone in particular) that were nest-dimorphic with substantial differences between surface- and sheltered-nesting penguins. Four sugars (arabinose, xylose, fructose-6-phosphate, and sucrose) had ≥ 2-fold difference in concentration between nest types. Seven saccharides were in the top five subsets generated by discriminant analysis; four of these are simple sugars (D-glucopyranose, α â ß; D-glucose; D-maltose; and D-mannose) and three are derivatives (glucose 6-phosphate, levoglucosenone, and N-acetylglucosamine). D-ribose had the highest information values (generated from weight-of-evidence values) followed by glucose 6-phosphate, levoglucosenone, and D-galactose. Sex was not a significant predictor of saccharide concentration. Levoglucosenone, which is a metabolite of the environmental contaminant levoglucosan, was significantly higher in surface-nesting penguins, reflecting a higher rate of exposure in non-sheltered penguins. Differences in the saccharide profiles of surface- and sheltered-nesting Humboldt penguins likely reflect increased metabolic requirements of surface-nesters at Punta San Juan. Conservation of appropriate sheltered-nesting habitat for penguins is essential for sustained reproductive success and colony health.
Assuntos
Carboidratos/sangue , Conservação dos Recursos Naturais , Ecossistema , Comportamento de Nidação , Caracteres Sexuais , Spheniscidae/sangue , Animais , Feminino , Masculino , PeruRESUMO
Interpreting in vitro bioassays used to determine resistance against acaricides in Rhipicephalus microplus can be challenging without parallel in vivo studies that assess for lost efficacy. The larval immersion test (LIT) is currently the most widely used bioassay to detect ivermectin resistance. The objective of this study was to compare results of the LIT and a field trial using ivermectin in naturally infested cattle. Criteria to consider ticks as resistant with the LIT were based on discriminating doses (DD) and the ratio of lethal concentration (LC) in test populations over the LC of the susceptible Deutch strain, known as the resistance ratio (RR). Ticks were collected from 4 farms, two where ivermectin provided good control of tick infestations and two that claimed lack of efficacy. In two farms where administration of a long-acting ivermectin formulation reduced body tick counts to 45 and 25% of the initial counts at 10-days post-treatment, the RR50 and RR99 were approximately 6 and 20, respectively. The LC50 value approximated the DD for the two farms with claimed resistance, suggesting that about half of the population in each farm was resistant. These LIT values are equal to those reported for the most resistant ticks, which supports the use of the LIT to predict control failure in field situations. The two farms where ivermectin provided good control of tick infestations had LC50s similar to the susceptible strain, although for one farm the LC99 and RR99 suggested incipient resistance.
Assuntos
Acaricidas/farmacologia , Resistência a Medicamentos , Técnicas In Vitro/veterinária , Ivermectina/farmacologia , Rhipicephalus/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Bioensaio/métodos , Bovinos , Colômbia , Imersão , Larva/efeitos dos fármacos , Larva/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Rhipicephalus/crescimento & desenvolvimentoRESUMO
In Colombia, the convergence of drug trafficking, illegal armed groups, and gold production and trade threatens peace and stability in the post-FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) era, as had the narcotics trade previously. Armed groups and criminal organizations have increased and consolidated their influence over illegal mining and may be diverting US$5 billion from Colombia's annual economy. As of 2014, 46% of the total area (78 939 ha) exploited for alluvial gold was in the Afro-Colombian Pacific States, in which unregulated mining was the main driver of deforestation. The informal job market represents 49% of the workforce and absent other economic alternatives, this workforce of ex-guerrillas, organized crime groups and corrupt officials will sustain the black markets that permeate gold mining. Human health consequences of unregulated gold mining are largely unrecognized, but include the spread of malaria and other insect-borne diseases, and we suggest diseases such as babesiosis.
RESUMO
Whole blood, serum, and feather samples from 29 Humboldt Penguins ( Spheniscus humboldti) at the Punta San Juan Marine Protected Area, Peru, were analyzed for 55 toxic and essential elements by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Mercury (Hg) was analyzed by cold vapor atomic fluorescence. Maximum Hg concentrations in serum (0.0056 mg/g), whole blood (0.297 mg/kg), and feathers (1.8 mg/kg dry weight) were at levels generally not considered to cause health impairment. Of the elements analyzed, only eight (aluminum, calcium, iron, Hg, potassium, magnesium, sodium, and zinc) were detected in serum. These elements, plus selenium and titanium, were also quantifiable in whole blood. Feather analysis detected quantifiable values for the elements found in serum, plus arsenic, boron, barium, copper, manganese, and titanium. Results indicate this important breeding population of endangered penguins did not appear to be exposed to environmental elemental contaminants at levels detrimental to health and reproductive success. However, identification of measurable concentrations of toxic elements at low levels underscores the need for continued environmental monitoring, particularly in the face of expanding regional human populations and industrial growth. These results provide important reference data for temporospatial monitoring of this and other penguin populations.
Assuntos
Monitoramento Ambiental , Plumas/química , Spheniscidae/sangue , Oligoelementos/sangue , Poluentes Químicos da Água/sangue , Animais , Peru , Oligoelementos/química , Poluentes Químicos da Água/químicaRESUMO
Persistent organic pollutants were assessed in Humboldt Penguins ( Spheniscus humboldti) from the Punta San Juan Marine Protected Area, Peru, in the austral winter of 2009. Plasma samples from 29 penguins were evaluated for 31 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners and 11 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) by using gas chromatography coupled to an ion trap mass spectrometer and for 15 polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners by using gas chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry. The detection rate for PCBs in the samples was 69%, with congeners 105, 118, 180, and 153 most commonly detected. The maximum ΣPCB concentration was 25 ng/g. The detection rate for DDT, DDD, and/or DDE was higher than for other OCP residues (90%; maximum concentration=10 ng/g). The detection rate for PBDEs was 86%, but most concentrations were low (maximum ΣPBDE concentration=3.81 ng/g). This crucial breeding population of S. humboldti was not exposed to contaminants at levels detrimental to health and reproductive success; however, the identified concentrations of legacy and recently emerged toxicants underscore the need for temporal monitoring and diligence to protect this endangered species in the face of regional human population and industrial growth. These results also provide key reference values for spatial comparisons throughout the range of this species.
Assuntos
Éteres Difenil Halogenados/sangue , Hidrocarbonetos Clorados/sangue , Praguicidas/sangue , Bifenilos Policlorados/sangue , Spheniscidae/sangue , Poluentes Químicos da Água/sangue , Animais , PeruRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a novel microbial lipase (NM-BL) in a liquid formulation for the treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) in a phase IIa proof-of-concept study. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled crossover study in patients with cystic fibrosis and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Adolescent and adult patients with CF were randomized to receive NM-BL or placebo for 1 week as replacement for their usual pancreatic enzyme formulation. They were subsequently crossed-over to the alternate study treatment. The coefficient of fat absorption was evaluated as the primary endpoint. Symptoms and adverse events were evaluated as secondary endpoints. RESULTS: A total of 35 patients were randomized into the study and 22 patients completed both treatment periods. During treatment with NM-BL, the coefficient of fat absorption was significantly greater (72.7%) compared with placebo (53.8%) with a difference between groups of 18.8% (P < .001). Subjective assessment of stool fat and stool consistency also improved under treatment with NM-BL. Adverse events were mostly gastrointestinal in nature and were more common in the group receiving NM-BL. CONCLUSIONS: Currently available pancreatic enzyme products are limited because of the lack of liquid formulations and being largely porcine based. The novel microbial lipase NM-BL was safe and effective in this short term trial. The trial provided clinical proof-of-concept for this novel microbial lipase as a treatment for EPI in CF. A larger phase 2 dose ranging trial is warranted. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01710644.
Assuntos
Insuficiência Pancreática Exócrina/tratamento farmacológico , Lipase/uso terapêutico , Adolescente , Criança , Estudos Cross-Over , Fibrose Cística/complicações , Método Duplo-Cego , Insuficiência Pancreática Exócrina/etiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Lipase/efeitos adversos , Masculino , Resultado do Tratamento , Adulto JovemAssuntos
Neoplasias Hepáticas/patologia , Neoplasias de Células Epitelioides Perivasculares/patologia , Biomarcadores Tumorais/análise , Biópsia , Feminino , Hepatectomia , Humanos , Imuno-Histoquímica , Neoplasias Hepáticas/química , Neoplasias Hepáticas/cirurgia , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Neoplasias de Células Epitelioides Perivasculares/química , Neoplasias de Células Epitelioides Perivasculares/cirurgiaRESUMO
Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the fifth most common cancer worldwide, display a highly variable clinical course, suggesting that HCC encompasses several biologically distinct subtypes. This heterogeneity has the potential to impede both treatment decisions and prognostic predictions for patients with HCC. One distinct, albeit rare, subtype of HCC is combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CC), which overall carries a poorer prognosis than HCC and cholangiocarcinoma (CC) alone. This review discusses predominantly the histopathologic and pathogenetic intricacies of this tumor and highlights the need for an accurate diagnosis of this specific HCC subtype.
Assuntos
Carcinoma Hepatocelular/patologia , Colangiocarcinoma/patologia , Neoplasias Hepáticas/patologia , Tumor Misto Maligno/patologia , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/epidemiologia , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/cirurgia , Colangiocarcinoma/epidemiologia , Colangiocarcinoma/cirurgia , Humanos , Neoplasias Hepáticas/epidemiologia , Neoplasias Hepáticas/cirurgia , Tumor Misto Maligno/epidemiologia , Tumor Misto Maligno/cirurgiaRESUMO
The prevalence of obesity is increasing globally, with nearly half of a billion of the world's population now considered to be overweight or obese. Obesity and overweight patients are one of the major health issues in Canada, resulting in approximately 57,000 deaths related to obesity over the last 15 years. The effect of obesity on outcomes following liver transplantation remains largely unclear. To determine the effect of obesity on outcome we reviewed 167 liver transplants, performed at the Vancouver General Hospital, between February 1999 and October 2003. Severe obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) > 35 kg/m2 and moderate obesity as BMI of 30 - 34 kg/m2. One hundred forty three transplants were performed in patients with a body mass index (BMI) < 30 kg/m2, 14 in patients with a BMI of 30 - 34 kg/m2, and 10 in patients with a BMI > 35 kg/m2. Non-weight related patient demographics were similar between the groups. A very high proportion of Hepatitic C patients (7/10) were observed in the severely obese group. In the early postoperative course severely obese patients had a higher rate of wound infection (20% vs. 4%, p = 0.0001) and wound dehiscence (40% vs. 1.2%, p = 0.0001). Within the first twelve postoperative months severely obese liver transplant recipients had a higher rate of ventral wound herniation (30% vs. 2.8%, p = 0.0001) when compared to obese or non-obese recipients. The one-year graft and patient survival were similar to non-obese patients. An increased BMI in liver transplant recipients in our centre did not increase the risk of early postoperative mortality, but did increase surgical complications, such as wound infection and wound dehiscence. The 1-year patient and graft survival however was indistinguishable from those of non-obese patients.