Silver chitosan nanocomposites as a potential treatment for superficial candidiasis.

Unlabelled: Silver compounds are widely known for their antimicrobial activity, but can exert toxic effects to the host. Among the strategies to reduce its toxicity, incorporation into biopolymers has shown promising results. We investigated the green syntheses of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and their functionalization in a chitosan matrix (AgNPs@Chi) as a potential treatment against Candida spp.

Historic variation of trace elements in pinnipeds with spatially segregated trophic habits reveals differences in exposure to pollution.

Marine mammals and the ecological functions they provide to coastal and pelagic ecosystems are increasingly threatened by the intensification of anthropogenic impacts. The Uruguayan coastline throughout the 20th century, like other coastal environments worldwide, has been the sink of a variety of trace metals derived from the rapid urbanization and industrialization of related land areas. This coastline is inhabited by two species of pinnipeds trophically and spatially segregated.

Neuropsychological Effects of Mercury Exposure in Children and Adolescents of the Amazon Region, Brazil.

Background: Studies with children exposed to methylmercury (MeHg) through fish consumption in the Brazilian Amazon region report that the high levels of hair Hg are associated with significant decreases in intelligence, memory, attention, and visuospatial processing.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between mercury exposure and neuropsychological functions in riverside communities of the Brazilian Amazon.

Method: 263 participants aged 6 to 14 years old were assessed, from resettlement regions, near the Madeira river, Rondônia, Brazil.

A novel report of metallothioneins in fish bile: SDS-PAGE analysis, spectrophotometry quantification and metal speciation characterization by liquid chromatography coupled to ICP-MS.

Metallothioneins (MT) are a validated biomarker for metal exposure. In fish they are usually determined in the liver, while some studies have observed MT in kidney, muscle and gills. There are, however, no reports on MT in fish bile.

The determination of total Se in urine and serum by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry using Ir as permanent modifier and in situ oxidation for complete trimethylselenonium recovery.

The present work evaluated the use of iridium (Ir) as permanent modifier for the determination of total selenium in urine and serum by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Concerning urine, the presence of trimethylselenonium (TMSe(+)) was especially considered. Pyrolysis and atomization temperatures of 1,000 and 2,100 degrees C, respectively, were used.