Abstract Anthropogenic interventions have had a compromising effect on environmental health, intensifying the degradation of ecosystems, and the quantity of chemical pollutants released into nature. Therefore, research areas within the scope of environmental assessments and monitoring such as ecotoxicology have contributed to the determination of the toxic potential of contaminants. A small cyprinid known as the zebrafish (Danio rerio), the use of which has exponentially grown, is an alternative vertebrate model for scientific research, mainly in the assessment of environmental risks. The species exhibits several advantages for breeding in a laboratory, in addition to presenting multi-biomarkers of environmental toxicity. Thus, this review aims to present the main characteristics and advantages of working with this species, as well as show studies related to ecotoxicology involving biomarkers of toxicity in zebrafish. The results show a progressive trend towards employing the species in environmental risk analyses, it is an increasingly recommended species in the assessment of the toxicity level of a range of chemical pollutants. The development of future technologies must contribute to scientific advancement, rendering the potential application of this model organism an even more widespread one, which will certainly help in bridging knowledge gaps in various areas of study.

Introduction. The educational portfolio serves as an instrument used in the process of development of reflective capacities and self-directed learning (SDL) in the training of health professionals. The objective of the present investigation of a single group pre-test and post-test type was to evaluate the effectiveness of the self-reflective virtual portfolio in self-directed learning in students of the Surgery I course in the academic semester 2019-I of the Universidad Privada Antenor Orrego School of Medicine, Trujillo, Perú. Material and methods. A database that included 189 students (75 men and 114 women) was analyzed. For the evaluation of the SDL, the validated scale of Fisher, King and Tague was used, made up of three dimensions and 40 items (self-management: 13 items, desire to learn: 12 items, and self-control: 15 items). Results. In this cohort of students, there was a significant increase in the overall SDL score at the end of the course, compared to its initial level, after the application of the self-reflective virtual portfolio (p = 0). Likewise, this instrument was effective in improving the dimensions of self-management (p = 0), desire to learn (p = 0) and self-control (p = 0). Conclusion. The self-reflective portfolio is an effective educational tool in enhancing SDL.

Introducción. El portafolio educativo sirve como instrumento usado en el proceso de desarrollo de capacidades reflexivas y de aprendizaje autodirigido (AAD) en la formación de profesionales de la salud. El objetivo de la presente investigación de tipo pretest y postest de un solo grupo fue evaluar la efectividad del portafolio virtual autorreflexivo en el aprendizaje autodirigido en los estudiantes del curso de Cirugía I en el semestre académico 2019-I de la Escuela de Medicina de la Universidad Privada Antenor Orrego. Material y métodos. Se analizó una base de datos que incluyó a 189 estudiantes (75 hombres y 114 mujeres). Para la evaluación del AAD se utilizó la escala validada de Fisher, King y Tague, conformada por tres dimensiones y 40 ítems (autogestión: 13 ítems; deseo de aprendizaje: 12 ítems, y autocontrol: 15 ítems). Resultados. En esta cohorte de estudiantes hubo un incremento significativo en la puntuación global del AAD al final del curso, en comparación con su nivel inicial después de la aplicación del portafolio virtual autorreflexivo (p = 0). Asimismo, este instrumento fue efectivo en la mejora en las dimensiones autogestión (p = 0), deseo de aprendizaje (p = 0) y autocontrol (p = 0). Conclusión El portafolio autorreflexivo es una herramienta educativa efectiva en la mejora del AAD.

Resumo Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo é descrever a experiência de uma instituição no tratamento com intenção curativa de doentes diagnosticados com carcinoma espinocelular da hipofaringe localmente avançado. Materiais e Métodos: Os dados relativos aos doentes portadores de carcinoma espinocelular da hipofaringe localmente avançado tratados entre janeiro de 2006 e junho de 2012 foram revistos. Resultados: Foram incluídos 144 doentes. O tempo mediano de seguimento foi 36,6 meses. A sobrevivência mediana, aos 2 anos e aos 5 anos foi 26 meses, 51% e 30,5%, respectivamente. A sobrevivência livre de recorrência mediana, aos 2 anos e aos 5 anos foi 18 meses, 42,8% e 28,5%, respectivamente. Conclusão: Os resultados encontrados na nossa série estão em acordo com a literatura.

Abstract Objective: The present study was aimed at describing a single-institution experience in the curative treatment of patients diagnosed with locally advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Materials and Methods: Data concerning all patients treated for locally advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma between January 2006 and June 2012 were reviewed. Results: A total of 144 patients were included in the present study. The median follow-up period was 36.6 months. Median survival was 26 months, and 2-year and 5-year overall survival rates were, 51% and 30.5%, respectively. Median recurrence-free survival was 18 months and 2-year and 5-year recurrence-free survival rates were 42.8% and 28.5%, respectively. Conclusion: The outcomes in the present series are in line with the literature.

O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar as características de 39 inseticidas quanto a sua distribuição e acumulação em tecidos humanos como também avaliar o grau de similaridade entre os inseticidas quanto a sua distribuição nos tecidos. Para tanto, foram utilizadas as características físico-químicas dos compostos e o conteúdo de lipídeos teciduais para calcular a distribuição dos inseticidas entre os tecidos estudados. Os inseticidas selecionados para o presente trabalho foram alguns daqueles que se encontram registrados no Brasil para uso agrícola. No cálculo da distribuição dos inseticidas entre os tecidos foi utilizado o modelo de fugacidade nível I em músculos, vísceras, pele, gordura, sangue, fígado, rins e intestinos. As características físico- químicas dos inseticidas e os conteúdos de lipídio dos tecidos foram usados para calcular a distribuição dos inseticidas entre os tecidos. O coeficiente de partição octanol-água, a solubilidade em água e o conteúdo de lipídio dos tecidos determinaram a distribuição de um inseticida entre tecidos humanos. Foram realizadas análises de agrupamento, para identificar grupos de inseticidas com distribuição similar nos tecidos. 90% dos 39 inseticidas apresentaram distribuição em gordura maior do que 50%. A análise de agrupamento indicou três grupos de inseticidas: no primeiro o percentual acumulado na gordura variou de 70 - 86%, no segundo de 44 - 58% e no terceiro de 9 - 19%. Os resultados obtidos podem contribuir para os programas de monitoramento da saúde do trabalhador rural.

This work aimed at evaluating the characteristics of thirty nine insecticides on tissue distribution and accumulation, using their physico-chemical characteristics and the tissues lipid contents to calculate the compounds distribution among the tissues. The insecticides evaluated were selected among those registered in Brazil for agriculture use. The level I fugacity model was used for the calculations of insecticide distribution among the tissues of muscles, viscera, skin, fat, blood, liver, kidneys and gut. The octanol-water partition coefficient, water solubility and tissue lipid contents showed an insecticide distribution in human tissues. Cluster analysis was performed aiming the identification and separation of insecticides groups based on their physico-chemical characteristics as compounds with similar distribution within tissues and at the same time tissues with similar distribution of various insecticides. Cluster analysis pointed out three insecticide groups: in the first, 70 - 86% of insecticide accumulation was found in lipid tissues; in the second, 44 - 58%; and in the third, 9 -19%. These results could contribute to health monitoring programs of farmworkers.

A metodologia disponível para análise de resíduos é muito onerosa para ser usada em estudos de perdas em aplicações de agrotóxicos. Assim, o uso de caldas de pulverização marcadas com traçadores facilmente detectáveis, tem se tornado uma prática amplamente aceita. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar um método de monitoramento das deposições de agrotóxico, caracterizado pelo uso de calda marcada com traçador, e técnica especial de amostragem. Empregou-se o cobre como traçador, na forma de fungicida, cuja análise espectrofotométrica é de baixo custo, fácil execução, além de possibilitar um excelente nível de recuperação. Utilizaram-se cartões de papel mata-borrão como alvo artificial para amostrar as gotas. Cartões grampeados em barbantes, em distâncias preestabelecidas, foram colocados sobre as plantas, possibilitando uma amostragem estratificada por alturas. No solo, os cartões foram colocados sobre placas-de-petri. Para as condições do experimento, o método testado permitiu detectar que, dependendo do porte das plantas, as perdas das aplicações foram da ordem de 59 a 76%.

The available methodology for pesticide residues analysis is very expensive to be used on spraying losses studies and occupational exposure assessment during pesticide application. So, the marking of spray liquids prior to dispersion with easily detectable tracers has become widely accepted practice. The objective of this research was to evaluate a method to assessment the pesticide deposition, characterised by the use of a tracer marked spray liquid and a special sampling technique. The tracer used in this work was the copper, in a fungicide formulation, with low cost and easy atomic absorption spectrophotometric analysis. Cards of blotter-like papers were used as artificial target to catch the droplets. Cards were clipped on cotton strings at constant distances and were disposed on plants possibiliting a height stratified sampling. Cards on Petri dishes are used upon the soil. Between 59 and 76% of the spray were lost according to plant height.