Cnesterodon decemmaculatus Juveniles as Test Organisms in Toxicity Assessment: Cadmium Case

The poeciliid Cnesterodon decemmaculatus is one of the native species of southern South America recently recommended for use as a test species in biomonitoring. Therefore, it is important to characterize its responses to stress conditions caused by pollution. The aim of this work was to determine the toxicity of the reference toxicant cadmium (Cd) and to evaluate the lethality response of juveniles of C. decemmaculatus exposed to an environmental sample with a high degree of pollution (Luján River, Buenos Aires, Argentina). The LC₅₀ values at 24 and 96 h were 6.00 and 2.27 mg Cd/L, respectively. The uptake of Cd was significantly greater in the first 24 h in relation to the total time of exposure in the bioassay. The toxicity of the water was in agreement with the level of contamination. A Cd contaminant pulse exerted an important additive effect on the toxicity of the environmental sample. The results provide information regarding the sensitivity of a native species to be used as a test organism in environmental monitoring.     

Finding meaning in caring for a spouse with dementia

Dementia caregiving can be burdensome with many challenges, especially for spousal caregivers who are elderly and may have limited resources and chronic conditions of their own. However, it can also be an opportunity for growth and transcendence. Thematic qualitative analysis was conducted with 11 caregiver interviews to investigate how spousal caregivers of individuals with dementia found personal meaning in their caregiving experience. Caregivers commonly had altruistic values, and the discipline to live those values. They found meaning by believing in a choice of attitude and perceiving satisfaction in living according to their values in life. They had faith in a higher power, a strong sense of love for their spouses and they derived strength from past challenges. Positive attitudes among caregivers of individuals with dementia may be enhanced by sharing these stories and strategies. Study results also provide an expansion beyond commonly held views of caregiving for nurses.     

Asthma and Rhinitis in South America: How Different They are From Other Parts of the World

Asthma and rhinitis epidemiology has wide variations around the world. The aim of this review was verify the prevalence of asthma and rhinitis in South America and report differences from other regions of the world. We reviewed studies with International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) methodology in South America, Phases I and III. In South America the ISAAC Phase I ranked four countries among top ten in prevalence of asthma and three countries among top ten in prevalence of rhinoconjunctivitis. ISAAC Phase III showed little changes in asthma and rhinitis prevalence in South American countries. The prevalence increases of asthma and rhinitis in South American centers indicate that the burden of both is continuing to rise, but the differences in prevalence are lessening.     

Success Rates of Endoscopic-Assisted Probing Compared to Conventional Probing in Children 48 Months or Older

Background: To evaluate the success rates of endoscopic-assisted probing compared to conventional probing in children 48 months or older. Methods: This retrospective study included children 48 months and older with CNLDO who underwent endoscopic-assisted probing or conventional probing between January 2011 to August 2015 at a tertiary eye care hospital in central Saudi Arabia. Probing was considered successful when signals of tearing or discharge disappeared and fluorescein dye disappearance test (FDDT) was normal. Demographic data, clinical features, intraoperative and postoperative variables were correlated to the success rate. Results: One hundred and twelve children with CNLDO undergoing endoscopic-assisted (37 patients) or conventional (75 patients) probing were included. The success rates of endoscopic-assisted and conventional probing were 94.6% [95% confidence interval (CI): 89.5–99.7] and 58.7% [95% (CI): 47.6–69.8], respectively. The success rate was higher with endoscopic probing, especially in older children. Conclusions: Endoscopic-assisted probing can achieve better outcomes to treat CNLDO, even in older children. The significantly higher success rates with endoscopic probing are likely due to the ability to observe and treat associated problems.