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The detrimental impacts of plastic nanoparticles (PNPs) are a worldwide concern, although knowledge is still limited, in particular for soil mesofauna. This study investigates the biochemical impact of 44 nm polystyrene PNPs on three soil models—Enchytraeus crypticus (Oligochaeta), Folsomia candida (Collembola) and Porcellionides pruinosus (Isopoda). Exposure durations of 3, 7 and 14 days (d) were implemented at two concentrations (1.5 and 300 mg kg−1 PNPs). Results revealed PNPs impact on the activities of the glutathione-dependent antioxidative enzyme, glutathione S-transferase (GST) and on the neurotransmitter acetylcholinesterase (AChE) for all three species. Catalase (CAT) played a minor role, primarily evident in F. candida at 300 mg kg−1 PNPs (CAT and GST response after 14 d), with no lipid peroxidation (LPO) increase. Even with the antioxidant defence, P. pruinosus was the most sensitive species for lipid oxidative damage (LPO levels increased after 7 d exposure to 300 mg kg−1 PNPs). Significant AChE inhibitions were measured already after 3 d to both PNP concentrations in F. candida and E. crypticus, respectively. Significant AChE inhibitions were also found in P. pruinosus but later (7 d). Overall, the toxicity mechanisms of PNPs involved antioxidant imbalance, being (mostly) the glutathione-associated metabolism part of that defence system. Neurotoxicity, linked to AChE activities, was evident across all species. Sensitivity to PNPs varied: P. pruinosus > F. candida ≅ E. crypticus. This pioneering study on PNPs toxicity in soil invertebrates underscores its environmental relevance, shedding light on altered biochemical responses, that may compromise ecological roles and soil ecosystem fitness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enchytraeids have been used in standard ecotoxicity testing for approximately 20 yr. Since adopting the standard test for survival and reproduction, a number of additional tools have been developed, including transcriptomics and enzymatic biomarkers. So far, a genotoxicity tool and endpoint have not been used; hence, the goals of the present study included optimization of the in vivo alkaline comet assay in Enchytraeus crypticus. Further, the effect of silver nanomaterial (Ag NM300K, dispersed, 15 nm) was tested and compared with silver nitrate. Hydrogen peroxide was used as a positive control. The various steps were optimized. The fully detailed standard operating procedure is presented. Silver materials caused genotoxicity, this being differentiated for the nano and non-nano forms. Silver nitrate caused genotoxicity after 3 d of exposure in a dose-related manner, although after 7 d the effects were either reduced or repaired. Ag NM300K caused higher genotoxicity after 7 d for the lowest concentration, highlighting a potential nonmonotonic dose-response effect. Overall, the comet assay showed the power to discriminate effects between materials and also toxicity at low relevant doses. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:184-191. © 2017 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives To identify the main nursing diagnosis and to analyse and select the appropriate outcomes and interventions for postinfarction patients. Background After a cardiac event, few patients resume their sexual life with the same intensity and frequency they used to have, and some patients do not even do it. Doubtful and insecure reactions are observed in both patients/partners and health professionals. These behaviours are frequently taboos and preconceptions about sexuality which are still taken as real among us. Design Exploratory study. Methods Integrative literature review with online search on the Virtual Health Library ( BVS) and websites. The most relevant diagnosis in the general literature was compared with International Classification for Nursing Practice and North-American International Nursing Diagnosis Association. The outcomes were selected from Nursing Outcome Classification, and the interventions and activities were based on the general literature and Nursing Intervention Classification. Results Sexual dysfunction was the most relevant diagnosis described in the general literature. The characteristics and related factors were specified in patient's/their partner's verbalisation of the physical difficulties in having sexual activity and in their social and emotional reactions to the disease and to the prescribed medicine. The selected priority results were sexuality and knowledge on sexuality. The counselling intervention was chosen as the most appropriate. Conclusion It was possible to get to the wide understanding of the sexual dysfunction as a nursing diagnosis expressed in the daily routine of the care to the postinfarction patient. Its identification requires knowledge and abilities to acknowledge its characteristics and related factors, which served as support for selection of outcomes, interventions and nursing activities. Relevance to clinical practice Association between diagnosis, outcomes, interventions and nursing activities established for the postinfarction patient is strategic so as to guide the nurses who operate in the cardiovascular area and may contribute towards refinement of the nursing classifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Nursing UFPE / Revista de Enfermagem UFPE is the property of Revista de Enfermagem UFPE and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Nursing UFPE / Revista de Enfermagem UFPE is the property of Revista de Enfermagem UFPE and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Several decades of anthropogenic influence on the Ria de Aveiro, have contributed to its water quality degradation. Thus, the present field study was carried out to investigate kidney antioxidants, lipid peroxidative and genotoxic responses in juvenile Dicentrarchus labrwc L. was captured at five stations of Aveiro lagoon with different types and/or levels of environmental contamination: Torreira (TOR- assumed as reference site), Gafanha (GAF), Laranjo (LAR), Rio Novo do Principe (RIO) and Vagos (VAG). The activity of the antioxidant enzymes (catalase-CAT, glutathione peroxidise-GPx, glutathione reductase- GR) and glutathione S-transferase- GST) and non-enzymes (total non-protein thiols -NP-SH and total glutathione-GSHt) were used as environmental biomarkers on D. labrax. Damage was assessed as DNA strand breakage and lipid peroxidation (LPO). An overall induction in enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants was observed in sea bass at GAF, RIO and LAR expressed as significant high kidney CAT, GPx, GR activities as well as NP-SH and GSHt; however at VAG only CAT activity was significantly increased. Among the surveyed sites, kidney genotoxicity was observed at GAP and VAG; whereas LPO increase was only observed at GAP site. According to "integrated biomarker responses" index, the most and the least affected sites were GAP and TOR, respectively. The ccmbination of protection and damage responses assessed in D. labrax kidney was an adequate strategy for the environmental health evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ria de Aveiro, a coastal lagoon, located in the northern west region of Portugal has been the main receptor of anthropogenic discharges resulting mainly from industries (chlor-alkali and pulp/paper plants), harbour and dry-dock activities as well as municipal effluents. In this perspective, the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) erythrocytic nuclear abnormalities (ENA) assay, as a measure of genetic damage, was applied to monitor the presence of genotoxic contaminants in this complex water pollution. Sea bass capture was carried out between spring 2006 to winter 2007, at six locations (Torreira-TOR, Barra-BAR, Gafanha-GAF, Rio Novo do PrIncipe-RIO, Laranjo-LAR, Vagos-VAG) along the lagoon. Among all the study sites, TOR was selected as a reference site due to the absence of known input point sources and because it is far from the main polluting sources. In spring, a significant ENA increase was observed at BAR, RIO, LAR and VAG in comparison to TOR. In summer, the ENA increase was pronounced at all the study sites. In autumn, ENA induction was significant only at GAF, LAR and VAG. In winter, BAR, GAF and RIO were the sites showing a significant ENA increase when compared to TOR. The present investigation findings provide a rational use of ENA applied to sea bass and can be successfully employed for biomonitoring anthropogenic contamination in both Atlantic and Mediterranean European coastal waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver microsomes isolated from eels (Anguilla anguilla L.) after 24 hours of exposure to 2.7 μM β-naphthoflavone (BNF) were in vitro exposed to abietic acid (AA), dehydroabietic (DHAA) acid and retene 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 0.3, 0.9 and 2.7 μM. In vitro liver micro somal ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity was significantly decreased by AA and retene (0.01, 0.1, 0.3, 0.9, 2.7 μM), whereas DHAA (0.1, 0.3, 0.9 and 2.7 μM) increased liver microsomal EROD activity. Retene and AA strongly and slightly inhibited in vitro liver microsomal EROD activity, respectively; however DHAA induced liver microsomal EROD activity suggesting detergent-like effect in microsomal membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Once in the environment, nanoplastics (NPls) may interact with other contaminants, such as pharmaceuticals, potentially acting as carriers and modulating their toxicity. Thus, the main aim of the current study is to investigate how polystyrene (PS) NPls (mean diameter: 60 nm) interact with simvastatin (SIM), an anticholesterolemic drug, and modulate its toxicity to zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos. PS NPls were carboxyl group functionalized, to promote the interaction/binding of NPls with SIM (worst-case scenarios) and it was fluorescently dyed, allowing to detect the intake. Exposure was 96 h to 0–150 mg/L NPls or 0–150 µg/L SIM, as well as to dual combinations (NPls 0.015 or 1.5 mg/L and SIM 12.5 or 15 µg/L). PS NPls alone did not exert effects whereas SIM (≥12.5 µg/L) significantly delayed the hatching, decreased the heartbeat, induced edemas and mortality. The combination of NPls (1.5 mg/L) and SIM (12.5 or 15 µg/L) had significant effects on the survival of the organisms while the correspondent NPls and SIM single exposures did not have significant effects on this endpoint. Concerning the malformations appearance, SIM alone had similar effects than when in co-exposures (0.015 mg/L NPls plus 12.5 or 15 µg/L SIM). Hatching and heartbeat increased after the co-exposures SIM and NPls comparing with SIM single exposures, showing that 0.015 mg/L NPls plus 12.5 or 15 µg/L SIM did not cause significant effects on these endpoints. This study shows that NPls effects on bioavailability and toxicity of other contaminants cannot be ignored when assessing the environmental behavior and risks of NPls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sleep disorders are more prevalent in children with cerebral palsy. The review aimed to identify and synthesize information about the nature of sleep disorders and their related factors in children with cerebral palsy. We performed an electronic search by using the search terms sleep/child*, and sleep/cerebral palsy in the following databases: Latin American literature on health sciences, SCOPUS, medical publications, cumulative index to nursing and allied health literature, psycinfo, worldcat, web of science, and the Cochrane library. The selection criteria were studies: available in Portuguese, English or Spanish and published between 2004 and 2014, with results addressing sleep disorders in children (ages 0-18 y) with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy. 36,361 abstracts were identified. Of those, 37 papers were selected, and 25 excluded. Twelve papers were incorporated in the study sample: eight quantitative studies, three reviews, and one case study. Eleven types of sleep disorders were identified, such as difficult morning awakening, insomnia, nightmares, difficulties in initiating and maintaining nighttime sleep (night waking), and sleep anxiety. Twenty-one factors were linked to sleep disorders, which we classified as intrinsic factors associated with common comorbidities accompanying cerebral palsy, and extrinsic aspects, specifically environmental and socio-familial variables, and clinical-surgical and pharmacological interventions., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The mechanisms of toxicity of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) are unclear, in particular in the terrestrial environment. In this study the effects of AgNP (AgNM300K) were assessed in terms of oxidative stress in the soil worm Enchytraeus crypticus, using a range of biochemical markers [catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), total glutathione (TG), metallothionein (MT), lipid peroxidation (LPO)]. E. crypticus were exposed during 3 and 7 days (d) to the reproduction EC20, EC50 and EC80 levels of both AgNP and AgNO3. AgNO3 induced oxidative stress earlier (3 d) than AgNP (7 d), both leading to LPO despite the activation of the anti-redox system. MT increased only for AgNP. The Correspondence Analysis showed a clear separation between AgNO3 and AgNP, with e.g. CAT being the main descriptor for AgNP for  7 d. LPO, GST and GPx were for both 3 and 7 d associated with AgNO3, whereas MT and TG were associated with AgNP. These results may reflect a delay in the effects of AgNP compared to AgNO3 due to the slower release of Ag(+) ions from the AgNP, although this does not fully explain the observed differences, i.e., we can conclude that there is a nanoparticle effect.