Rio De Janeiro City Research Articles

Use of antimicrobials in pediatric wards of five Brazilian hospitals

The use of antimicrobials (AMs) in pediatric infections is common practice and use may be inappropriate leading to antimicrobial resistance. Off-label AM use is also common in this group and can result in drug-related problems. There is lack of DUR data in Brazil and in Latin America, specially for AM pediatric use. The aim of this study was to describe the utilization of AMs in hospitalized children in five hospitals in Brazil. We conducted an observational study of the utilization of AMs in pediatric wards in hospitals in the states of Ceará (CE), Sergipe (SE), Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Rio Grande do Sul (RS) and the Federal District (DF). Data derived from patient medical records and prescriptions were collected over a six-month period in each hospital. The number of AMs used by each patient was recorded, and AM use was assessed using Days of therapy (DOT) and Length of therapy (LOT) per 1000 patient days according to different patient characteristics. Off-label (OL) use was described according to age. The study analyzed data from 1020 patients. The sex and age distributions were similar across the five hospitals. However, differences were found for comorbidities, history of ICU admission and length of hospital stay. The most common diseases were respiratory tract infections. There were wide variations in DOT/1000PD (278–517) and LOT/1000PD (265–390). AM utilization was highest in the hospital in SE. The consumption of second-generation penicillins and cephalosporins was high. The prevalence of OL use of AMs was higher for patients in the RJ hospital, in infants, in patients who underwent prolonged hospital stays, and in patients who used multiple AMs. The AM that showed the highest prevalence of OL use was azithromycin, in both oral and parenteral formulations. Overall AM use was high and showed differences in each setting, possibly influenced by local characteristics and by prescribing standards adopted by pediatricians.

Biological patterns of reproduction of the Brazilian sardine Sardinella brasiliensis in the purse seine fishery of Southwest Atlantic Ocean: A long-term assessment

Recent estimates of the size at first maturity (L50) of Sardinella brasiliensis showed contradictory results with a decreasing in the fish stock biomass encompassed by increasing values of L50. The methodological approach used hereby allowed to separate sardines classified in the virginal maturity stage from those categorized in the recovery stage, and ready for one next spawning event. This study evaluated the hypothesis of the existence of separated stocks experiencing distinct environmental conditions and fishing pressures which may have altered L50 estimates using a robust dataset based on biological samples collected along the entire species distribution area in the southeast-south Brazilian coast [Rio de Janeiro (RJ), São Paulo (SP), Paraná (PR), Santa Catarina (SC) and Rio Grande do Sul (RS)] between 2000 and 2018. A reclassification of the gonadal maturity stages provided a more realistic estimate of L50. Combining biological, reproductive, fishing data and the mean temperature of the catch (MTC), the leave-one-out classification correctly re-assigned individuals with an overall accuracy of 85% [100% (RJ), 45% (SP), 99% (PR), 99% (SC) and 82% (RS)]. The connectivity between the local populations of S. brasiliensis off RJ (23°S) and the southern populations is limited, contrasting to spatial structured semi-discrete population-units found between SP and RS (24°S-30°S). The northern extreme population-unit (RJ, 22°S-23°S) showed an expressive reduction of L50, and a negative correlation was detected between the increasing MTC values and the abundance of early maturing individuals and recruits of the species. Stock specific L50 estimates seemed to act as indicators of long term environmental fluctuations.

Maturity of e-government in Brazilian municipalities: analysis of the dissemination of information and knowledge about the Covid-19 pandemic to Society

Electronic government (e-gov) is a reality already experienced by citizens and organizations of different countries around the world. Governments of different levels can provide information and knowledge available through electronic channels in order to provide a better relationship between their institutions and society. This research aims to identify and classify the maturity of electronic portals of municipal governments in the five largest cities in Brazil regarding the dissemination of information and knowledge about the Covid-19 pandemic to society, classifying them according to the stages of maturity of electronic government proposed by Lechakoski and Tsunoda (2015). To acchieve this goal, a descriptive research of multiple cases was carried out, with the application of a documentary research protocol on the websites of the following Brazilian municipal governments: São Paulo (SP), Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Salvador (BA), Belo Horizonte (MG) and Fortaleza (CE). The results showed that the municipalities of São Paulo (SP) and Rio de Janeiro (RJ) showed greater compliance with the criteria analyzed in the model considered, being classified in the 'integrated' stage, the most developed level. The municipalities of Salvador, Belo Horizonte, and Fortaleza were classified in the transactional stage.

Unravelling COVID-19 waves in Rio de Janeiro city: Qualitative insights from nonlinear dynamic analysis

Since the COVID-19 pandemic was first reported in 2019, it has rapidly spread around the world. Many countries implemented several measures to try to control the virus spreading. The healthcare system and consequently the general quality of life population in the cities have all been significantly impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic. The different waves of contagious were responsible for the increase in the number of cases that, unfortunately, many times lead to death. In this paper, we aim to characterize the dynamics of the six waves of cases and deaths caused by COVID-19 in Rio de Janeiro city using techniques such as the Poincaré plot, approximate entropy, second-order difference plot, and central tendency measures. Our results reveal that by examining the structure and patterns of the time series, using a set of non-linear techniques we can gain a better understanding of the role of multiple waves of COVID-19, also, we can identify underlying dynamics of disease spreading and extract meaningful information about the dynamical behavior of epidemiological time series. Such findings can help to closely approximate the dynamics of virus spread and obtain a correlation between the different stages of the disease, allowing us to identify and categorize the stages due to different virus variants that are reflected in the time series.

Evaluation of tourist carrying capacity to support recreational beaches management

The overexploitation of sandy beaches by tourism reduces ecological integrity, rendering natural conditions unsatisfactory for the needs of the population and resulting in negative socio-economic impacts. In this context, the assessment of tourist carrying capacity aims to support beach management from a social, environmental, and economic perspective. The objective of this study was to estimate the tourist carrying capacity at nine beaches in the states of Rio de Janeiro (RJ) and Espírito Santo (ES), southeastern Brazil. The physical carrying capacity was calculated based on the available space for recreation in scenarios of one user per 5 m2 and 10 m2. Subsequently, limiting environmental factors for recreational use such as sunlight, precipitation, strong winds, tidal range, and temperature were considered, supporting the calculation of the tourist carrying capacity. For the calculation, management conditions (infrastructure and services) were estimated based on the scoring of 69 indicators, included in the international beach quality program called Blue Flag and in the main instrument for coastal management in Brazil, the Orla Project. At RJ beaches, the carrying capacity was not exceeded in the scenario of one user per 10 m2, except in the central region with a higher tourist appeal. In ES state, the results indicated overload for all beaches in the central southern region; for example, one received six times more users than its tourist capacity. Overall, the highest percentages of management capacity were recorded at beaches with Blue Flag certification. The beaches that require the most improvements in coastal management are those located in regions with lower Human Development Index (HDI) and farther from major urban centers. The results suggest priority management actions and guide efforts towards potential beach certification. The management of services, infrastructure, and overload highlights the need for preventive measures to avoid the tourism paradox, including loss of environmental quality and revenue. Moreover, the flexibility of this evaluation tool allows for its application in beaches of any country. The integration of tourist carrying capacity and assessment of the coastal scenario provides a more comprehensive and effective framework for the sustainable management of beaches.

Museums Institutions as A Proposal for Regional, Economic and Social Development: The Museu do Amanhã

Objective: To carry out this study, the objective was to address the main impacts of the Museu do Amanhã on regional development since its inauguration on 2015, in the port region of the city of Rio de Janeiro-RJ.   Theoretical reference: As defined in Article 1 of Federal Law 11.904, and in accordance with the guidelines of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), museums are non-profit institutions that work at the service of societies (2009). However, museums are also importante cultural facilities that can be well used according to urban and regional strategic planning to revitalize certain areas. Likewise, museums can make theis contribution based on impacts generated by the greather flow of people in the region with increased tourism, which can result in significant regional, economic and social development.   Method: This study is based on exploratory and descriptive research dealing with the impacts of the Museu do Amanhã on regionaldevelopment, based on bibliographic sources and data and whose analysis method applied was a qualitative approach to analyze the proposed phenomenon.   Results and conclusion: The current analysis leads to the conclusion that the Museu do Amanhã brought significant regional impacts, both economic and social and cultural. However, from bibliographical sources of the time, it was observed that there are signs of gentrifyng action in the processo f revitalization of the region where the museum was built, which cannot, under any circumstances, be related to the real purposes of a museum institution. And this is because museums have as their mission the purpose of working for the promotion of humanity and the establishment of peace. At the same time, museums are also strategic instruments for urban and regional planning and this contexto opens up countless analyzes and discussions.   Implications of the research: This study presents important questions focused on the relationship between musems and urban and regional planning, opening up new research and proposing further discussions and analyzes on the topic.   Originality/value: The field of museology is quite comprehensive, and its multidisciplinar and interdisciplinar character must also be taken into account. Even so, mosto f the time research is carried out that delas more with the activities carried out within museums such as conservation, research, exhibition and educational action, but there are other ways of thinking about a museum for society and regarding this there are still manygaps that nees be filled. One possibility on this path is precisely to carry out research with proposals that recognize museums in another way, for example, as strategic instruments for urban and regional planning.

Chemical Profile of Drug Infused Papers Seized in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) Prisons During the COVID-19 Lockdown

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic affected several business segments due to the lockdown period, including the illicit drug market. As Brazil usually imports new psychoactive substances (NPS), it was expected that their traffic would change during the pandemic. This study aimed to characterize NPS infused in pieces of paper seized inside prisons in the State of Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil, during the COVID-19 pandemic by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and high-resolution mass spectrometry. All samples were identified as synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists, with indole-indazole structures. It was the first record of methyl (2S)-3,3-dimethyl-2-(1-(pent-4-en-1-yl)- 1H-indazole-3-carboxamido) butanoate (MDMB-4en-PINACA), N-[(2S)-1-amino-3,3-dimethyl1-oxobutan-2-yl]-1-butylindazole-3-carboxamide (ADB-BUTINACA), and N-(1-adamantyl)- 1-(4-fluorobutyl)indazole-3-carboxamide (4F-ABUTINACA) in RJ, demonstrating that new NPS still arrived despite the lockdown. The integration of the data obtained via this study enabled the unequivocal identification of NPS even in the absence of standard reference materials, which is a common drawback faced by forensic laboratories in the analysis of NPS.

Spatial analysis of Dengue through the reproduction numbers relating to socioeconomic features: Case studies on two Brazilian urban centers

The study of the propagation of infectious diseases in urban centers finds a close connection with their population's social characteristics and behavior. This work performs a spatial analysis of dengue cases in urban centers based on the basic reproduction numbers, R0, and incidence by planning areas (PAs), as well as their correlations with the Human Development Index (HDI) and the number of trips. We analyzed dengue epidemics in 2002 at two Brazilian urban centers, Belo Horizonte (BH) and Rio de Janeiro (RJ), using PAs as spatial units. Our results reveal heterogeneous spatial scenarios for both cities, with very weak correlations between R0 and both the number of trips and the HDI; in BH, the values of R0 show a less spatial heterogeneous pattern than in RJ. For BH, there are moderate correlations between incidence and both the number of trips and the HDI; meanwhile, they weakly correlate for RJ. Finally, the absence of strong correlations between the considered measures indicates that the transmission process should be treated considering the city as a whole.

Environmental Revitalization of the River Basins of the Guapiaçu and Macacu Rivers to Increase Water Security in the Eastern Region of Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro-RJ

Purpose: Evaluate the implementation of interventions with environmental sustainability in the Guapiaçu and Macacu river basins, in Rio de Janeiro, based on the concept of nature-based solutions, for the regulation of river flows.
  
 Theoretical reference: Principles that assess the water retention of rainwater through infiltration in slopes and plains of valley bottoms in the basin, in order to mitigate volumes of surface runoff, and increase artificial recharge of the aquifer.
  
 Method: The methodology presents data on the characterization of the Guapiaçu and Macacu basins, as well as information regarding the collection of hydrological data, specifically related to streamflow measurement in both basins.
  
 Results and conclusion: The results indicate periods of flow rates above average, corresponding to annual river discharges, with flood flows reaching over 120 m3/s in the Guapiaçu River and 220 m3/s in the Macacu River, with high availability of rainfall runoff in the region.
  
 Research implications: Proposed interventions for environmental sustainability in the Guapiaçu and Macacu river basins, with a forecast of increasing the minimum flow rates of the Guapiaçu and Macacu rivers to meet the expansion of water supply for the Baía de Guanabara region.
  
 Originality/value: The proposal for revitalizing basins through unconventional and nature-based solutions has less impact and presents originality, as it ensures the sustainability of water resources with water security in water supply associated with lower cost.

An urban drainage scheme for large-scale flood models

As flood modeling spatial resolutions get finer, physical processes normally neglected, such as urban drainage, must be accounted for. Here, we describe and evaluate an urban drainage scheme for large-scale flood models. The parameterization accounts for urban imperviousness, and water flow over streets and through a prescribed urban drainage network. A parameter sensitivity analysis is performed during three major extreme floods over Rio de Janeiro city, Brazil, at ∼200 m spatial resolution. Results show that, compared to a hypothetical case without urban drainage, representing a drainage network decreases urban flooding during selected extreme events across Rio de Janeiro by 31–53 %. Such a decrease is caused by an underground water storage of up to 2.5 billion m3 across the city during flood peaks. Underground water storage and transport smooth out and delay peak flows by a few hours over major rivers and channels draining the city. Simulations also indicate that the number of residents exposed to flooding drops by 60–80 %, from ∼5 million to 1–2 million, when an urban drainage system is considered during extreme events. Similar proportions are found for social infrastructure (i.e., schools and hospitals) exposed to flooding. Results reveal that racial minority and low-income populations could disproportionally be exposed to extreme floodings across the city. We conclude that representing urban drainage has a substantial impact on flood exposure and should be accounted for in fine resolution modeling. The proposed scheme is particularly useful in poorly monitored cities and where extreme floods are a frequent hazard yet to be tackled.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) serum biomarkers for screening and monitoring infections at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

HBV is a short-term disease and is one of the major causative agents of chronic liver illness. For others, it can become a long-term, chronic infection like liver disease or liver cancer. This paper was aimed to investigate the blood-based serum biomarkers for screening and monitoring of Brazilian patients collected in the All Lab at Rio de Janeiro city. This research were carried out using the chemiluminescence method. The presence (reactive) or absence of anti-HBV antibodies (non-reactive) was also investigated by the electrochemiluminescence. The serological diagnosis of hepatitis B involves the evaluation of antigens and antibodies. Our findings had been showed which it is possible to determine the different phases of the infection (reactive – positive or non-reactive – negative) and some samples can be resulted indeterminates or inconclusive by the choice method and the immune system or susceptible of the patients. The sum of numbers, average, standard deviation and coefficient of variation were calculated among the 2222 samples collected from 1660 patients and 477 samples from 411 patients from the year 2022 and 2023, respectively. So, irrespective of HBV genotype or infection phase, this paper provides a classic way fast-track to advance the HBV serum biomarkers detected in blood samples. Novel challenges of serum HBV biomarkers should be more discussed to mitigated weaknesses points and eliminate cross-reaction in clinical assays.

Navigating multi-airport systems: A case study of brazilian airport concessions and the multi-airport system of rio de janeiro

The public hearing on the seventh round of Brazilian airport concessions gave rise to debates on the multi-airport system and its coordinated modelling. Considering that the airport sector is an important source of both passenger and cargo traffic in a country the size of a continent such as Brazil, this article reviews the evolution of Brazilian airport concessions and outlines their perspectives and opportunities in Brazilian multi-airport systems, particularly the Rio de Janeiro multi-airport system.

Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant women in Rio De Janeiro City, Brazil

COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is safe and effective in reducing the risk of complications. However, the uptake is still below targets worldwide. This study aimed to explore the factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination uptake among pregnant women since data on this topic is scarce in low-to-middle-income countries. A retrospective cohort study included linked data on COVID-19 vaccination and pregnant women who delivered a singleton live birth from August 1, 2021, to July 31, 2022, in Rio de Janeiro City, Brazil. Multiple logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with vaccination during pregnancy, applying a hierarchical model and describing odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals. Of 65,304 pregnant women included in the study, 53.0% (95% CI, 52–53%) received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy. Higher uptake was observed among women aged older than 34 (aOR 1.21, 95%CI 1.15–1.28), black (aOR 1.10, 1.04–1.16), or parda/brown skin colour (aOR 1.05, 1.01–1.09), with less than eight years of education (aOR 1.09, 1.02–1.17), living without a partner (aOR 2.24, 2.16–2.34), more than six antenatal care appointments (aOR 1.92, 1.75–2.09), and having a previous child loss (OR 1.06, 1.02–1.11). These results highlight the need for targeted educational campaigns, trustful communication, and accessibility strategies for specific populations to improve vaccination uptake during pregnancy.

Epiperipatus puri sp. nov., a new velvet worm from Atlantic Forest in Southeastern Brazil (Onychophora, Peripatidae).

Epiperipatus ohausi (Bouvier, 1900) is the first species known from Rio de Janeiro, and more than 120 years later a new species is described in the state of Rio de Janeiro (RJ). In this study, we describe the second species in the state of Rio de Janeiro, which we are naming in honor of the indigenous population called puri who resided in southeastern coastal Brazil. The species can be diagnosed mainly by large dorsal primary papillae close to the insertion of the legs drawing a light band from the anterior to the posterior region of the body, and large dorsal primary papillae alternating on the dorsal plicae. Moreover, they are recognized in vivo by the color of the diamond-shaped marks brownish orange on the dorsal portion of the body. Epiperipatus puri sp. nov. morphologically seems to be related to Epiperipatus acacioi (Marcus & Marcus, 1995) by the shape of the primary papillae apical piece and to E. ohausi by the resemblance of dorsal papillae. The phylogeny shows a close relationship between the new species and E. ohausi in a clade with a still undescribed species from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil located within the Atlantic Forest, one of the most threatened biomes in the world.

CLINICAL MANAGEMENT OF URINARY INCONTINENCE IN WOMEN BY FAMILY HEALTH STRATEGY NURSES

Objective: To analyze the performance of nurses from the Family Health Strategy (ESF) in the clinical management of urinary incontinence in women in a planning area in the city of Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil. Method: Descriptive research, with a quantitative approach, was carried out in seven Basic Health Units, in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The sample consisted of 27 nurses who worked in the ESF. Data analysis was performed using simple descriptive statistics, with a description of relative and absolute frequency. Results: Weaknesses were shown in the identification of aspects involving an early approach, risk factors for its development, treatment, and educational activities. Conclusion: Despite recognizing that the ESF has the resources for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary incontinence, some actions are not carried out by the nurses, such as involving the team in the care of women with this condition, prescribing exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor and evaluating and carry out non-pharmacologicaltreatment, as well as the investigation of women without complaints of urinary loss. Therefore, the results indicate the urgent need for training of nurses who work in the ESF.

Contribution of the nursery areas to the major fishing grounds of the Brazilian sardine (Sardinella brasiliensis) in Southeastern Brazilian Bight inferred from otolith fingerprints

In the late seventies, studies on the population structure of Sardinella brasiliensis suggested the existence of two stocks (23–25°S and 26°S−28°S) based on distinct regional somatic growth rates and spawning areas. This scenario was recently confirmed by using geochemical signatures of whole otoliths combined with basic biological data from two-year-old individuals collected in southeast-south Brazil. However, information about sardine movements and connectivity between their main juvenile recruitment areas and the adult fishing grounds is currently limited. In this work, otolith natal elemental fingerprints (core section) of recruits (age 0+) and adults (age 2+), collected respectively in the main spawning areas (2019) and fishing grounds (2021) were evaluate. Otolith geochemical signatures (element/Ca) of recruits were compared with those of adult fish from the same cohort to estimate connectivity between juvenile recruitment areas (Rio de Janeiro RJ: 22°S, São Paulo SP: 23°S and Santa Catarina SC: 26°S) and regional adult populations captured in the major fishing grounds (22–23°S, 24–25°S and 26–27°S). Uni and multi-elemental signatures showed significant differences for recruits and adult’s individuals. This variability was mainly driven by Ba/Ca, Cu/Ca and Mg/Ca ratios. Pairwise comparisons associated recruits and adults from the northern distribution area (RJ+SP), but differentiated them from those individual from south (SC). The leave-one-out matrix combining otolith fingerprints reassigned the individuals to their original areas with moderate to high accuracy, for both recruits (RJ: 79%, SP: 73% and SC: 67%) and adults (RJ: 75%, SP: 60% and SC: 69%). A multinomial logistic regression suggested that for the 2019 cohort the replenishment of adult populations of S. brasiliensis along the Southeastern Brazilian Bight was mostly derived from the northern recruitment area (RJ+SP=89%). Nonetheless, minor contribution from the southern counterparts to the northern stock was detected (11%), supporting the hypothesis of meta-population structure for this species.

Do feeding responses of a non-native bivalve outperform the native one in a coastal lagoon? A possible explanation for the invasion success of the dark false mussel Mytilopsis leucophaeata.

The present study aimed to evaluate and compare feeding responses of the non-native and native bivalves, the dark false mussel Mytilopsis leucophaeata and the scorched mussel Brachidontes darwinianus, respectively, by offering different concentrations of seston from the coastal lagoon where these species coexist after dark false mussel introduction (Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, Rio de Janeiro-Brazil). For this purpose, independent laboratory experiments were carried out under five concentrations of seston to test the differences in clearance and ingestion rates of bivalves as a function of increasing concentrations of suspended particulate matter (SPM) on seston. In addition, from the integrated analysis of data obtained in experiments, it can be inferred about the efficiency levels of these species to remove SPM from seston and their effects on water turbidity and nutrient concentrations (total carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus). Our hypothesis was that the non-native bivalve is more efficient to clear and ingest SPM from seston compared to the native one, which may lead to competitive advantages to the successful invasion of M. leucophaeata in coastal lagoons. Native species did not show a significant difference in clearance and ingestion rates with increasing concentrations of seston. Whereas the non-native bivalve showed a slight tendency to increase its clearance and ingestion rates with the increase in seston concentrations, evidencing its plasticity to adjust its feeding responses. The native bivalve was significantly more efficient to clear and ingest SPM at the lower seston concentration (i.e., close to natural concentrations found in the lagoon) compared to the non-native bivalve, which, on the other hand, showed a significant increase in its ingestion rates at the higher concentration tested (140 mg SPM L-1). Thus, the present results did not suggest food competition between the non-native M. leucophaeata and the native B. darwinianus in the introduced system. However, M. leucophaeata increased its feeding response with experimental increment in seston concentration, which suggests species ability to benefit from conditions of increased inputs of organic matter and higher primary production that could mediate its establishment in introduced systems.

Occupational exposure to potentially toxic elements alters gene expression profiles in formal and informal Brazilian workers

Chemical elements, such as toxic metals, have previously demonstrated their ability to alter gene expression in humans and other species. In this study, microarray analysis was used to compare the gene expression profiles of different occupational exposure populations: a) informal workers who perform soldering of jewelry inside their houses (n = 22) in São Paulo (SP) State; and b) formal workers from a steel company (n = 10) in Rio de Janeiro (RJ) state, Brazil. Control participants were recruited from the same neighborhoods without occupational chemical exposure (n = 19 in SP and n = 8 in RJ). A total of 68 blood samples were collected and RNA was extracted and hybridized using an Agilent microarray platform. Data pre-processing, statistical and pathway analysis were performed using GeneSpring software. Different expression was detected by fold-change analysis resulting in 16 up- and 33 down-regulated genes in informal workers compared to the control group. Pathway analysis revealed genes enriched in MAPK, Toll-like receptor, and NF-kappa B signaling pathways, involved in inflammatory and immune responses. In formal workers, 20 up- and 50 down-regulated genes were found related to antimicrobial peptides, defensins, neutrophil degranulation, Fc-gamma receptor-dependent phagocytosis, and pathways associated with atherosclerosis development, which is one of the main factors involved in the progression of cardiovascular diseases. The gene IFI27 was the only one commonly differentially expressed between informal and formal workers and is known to be associated with various types of cancer. In conclusion, differences in gene expression related to occupational exposure are mainly associated with inflammation and immune response. Previous research has identified a link between inflammation and immune responses and the development of chronic diseases, suggesting that prolonged occupational exposures to potentially toxic elements in Brazilian metal workers could lead to negative health outcomes. Further analysis should be carried out to investigate its direct effects and to validate causal associations.

Optimistic Scenario of 0.50 m Mean Sea Level Rise and Possible Environmental Impacts, Resulting from Tidal Variations, in the City of Niterói, Rio de Janeiro—Brazil

As several researches indicate, since the 1950s one observed unprecedented warming of the atmosphere and oceans, resulting from greenhouse gas emissions and changes in land use and occupation, leading to sea level rise and impacts on coastal areas. In the municipality of Niterói—Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where a large urban concentration in coastal areas is observed, a Climate Change Adaptation System was developed, through which mitigation and adaptation strategies are combined, in order to: reduce vulnerabilities; avoid losses and damages; build instruments to allow adaptation of natural, human, productive and infrastructure systems. In this context, this paper aims to measure possible impacts, in the biophysical and socioeconomic spheres, resulting from an eventual 0.50 m rise in mean sea level, which represents an optimistic scenario according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In contrast to similar studies, this work also considered daily and occasional water level variations, represented by the highest astronomical tide and the highest storm surge observed in the studied region. The following data were applied: digital elevation model, 2010 population census data, and real estate information. With the altimetry data, by means of GIS, the census sectors inserted in the affected areas were selected, to obtain data regarding population, number of households, and income. Specialized websites were applied to collect average property values. The simulations revealed that approximately 2950 households and more than 9000 residents could be directly affected, with losses that could exceed R$ 3.60 billion. The Oceanic Region is configured as the most exposed region, susceptible to losses of several ecosystems, economic losses in residential areas and possible destruction of urban infrastructure.

Aproveitamento da infraestrutura de um polo gastronomico para a implementação de uma indicação geográfica

The purpose of this research was to advance knowledge on the feasibility of creating a Geographical Indication (GI) from the structure of a gastronomic hub. The objectives of this research are to investigate whether the gastronomic pole Novo Rio Antigo, located in Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil (BR), has the necessary characteristics to become a GI of Lapa/RJ/BR and analyze the possible advantages of this transformation for the entrepreneurial companies that are part of the current pole. As for the research methodology, a qualitative study was carried out using specialized bibliography related to the Gastronomy Pole, to the Geographical Indication and, in special, to Lapa/RJ/BR. The information was captured and analyzed, allowing the reflection on the effects of the implementation of the Geographical Indication of Lapa/RJ/BR for the local business companies. The results pointed out that the New Rio Antigo gastronomic pole does not yet have the necessary characteristics to become the GI Lapa/RJ/BR, however they have potential if the missing requirements are solved, since, if implemented, it may represent benefits for the local and surrounding business companies. Thus, this work seeks to contribute to the expansion of GIs in Brazil from the use of the infrastructure of gastronomic clusters already constituted