Many studies have assessed mercury (Hg) exposure in the Amazonian population. This article performs a literature search of the studies that used hair as a biomarker of Hg exposure in the Brazilian Amazonian population. The search covered the period from 1996 to 2016 and included articles which matched the following criteria: (1) articles related to Hg exposure into Brazilian Amazon; (2) articles that used hair as a biomarker of Hg exposure; (3) articles that used analytical tools to measure the Hg content on hair and (4) articles that presented arithmetic mean and/or minimum and maximum values of Hg. 36 studies were selected. The findings show that most of the studies were performed along margins of important rivers, such as Negro, Tapajós and Madeira. All the population presented mean levels of Hg on hair above 6 µg g−1 and general population, adults, not determined and men presented levels of Hg on hair above 10 µg g−1. The results show that most of the studies were performed by Brazilian institutions/researchers and the majority was performed in the State of Pará. The present study identified that Amazonian population has long-term been exposed to Hg. In terms of future perspectives, this study suggests the implementation of a strategic plan for environmental health surveillance in the region in order to promote health and benefit Amazonian population.

Core subject To quantify the Hg content of sediment and fish collected along the Purus River (Acre State, Amazon) in order to identify if those samples could be a potential route of Hg exposure to the population of Manoel Urbano (a riverside community). Methods The total mercury (THg) was quantified using the Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption technique. Results We collected 06 samples of sediment and 264 samples of fish. The Hg in sediments ranged between 0.038 and 0.065 µg.g–1.The results indicate that sediment is in agreement with “uncontaminated” Amazonian rivers. The carnivorous species presented the highest level of Hg on muscle (mean 0.927 μg/g–1), followed by piscivorous (mean 0.873 μg.g–1), planktophagus (mean 0.566 μg.g–1), omnivorous (mean 0.533 μg.g–1) and detritivorous (mean 0.176 μg/g–1). Fourty four percent (44%) of the total species collected presented mean levels of THg on muscle, a percentage greater than the threshold recommended by WHO. Conclusion Some species may be a route for Hg exposure. The sediment is within the normality. The authors suggest that other factors, such as culture and society, should be considered for future researches in order to promote the population healths.

Mercury exposure in the Amazon has been studied since the 1980s decade and the assessment of human mercury exposure in the Amazon is difficult given that the natural occurrence of this metal is high and the concentration of mercury in biological samples of this population exceeds the standardized value of normality established by WHO. Few studies have focused on the discovery of mercury biomarkers in the region's population. In this way, some studies have used genetics as well as immunological and cytogenetic tools in order to find a molecular biomarker for assessing the toxicological effect of mercury in the Amazonian population. Most of those studies focused attention on the relation between mercury exposure and autoimmunity and, because of that, they will be discussed in more detail. Here we introduce the general aspects involved with each biomarker that was studied in the region in order to contextualize the reader and add information about the Amazonian life style and health that may be considered for future studies. We hope that, in the future, the toxicological studies in this field use high technological tools, such as the next generation sequencing and proteomics skills, in order to comprehend basic questions regarding the metabolic route of mercury in populations that are under constant exposure, such as in the Amazon.

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Avaliar a abordagem sobre segurança do paciente de um projeto pedagógico que usa metodologias ativas na graduação do curso de medicina. Métodos: Estudo do tipo transversal, que usou como objeto de análise o projeto pedagógico (PP) do curso de medicina vigente no ano de 2018 e 2019, do Centro Universitário Metropolitano da Amazônia (UNIFAMAZ), que usa metodologias ativas como estratégia de ensino, por meio de uma matriz curricular flexível, integrada e dinâmica com foco na interdisciplinaridade e associação teórica e prática. O projeto não necessitous ser analisado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa (CEP). Resultados: Foram identificadas 66 unidades curriculares, das quais nove (13,6%) abordavam assuntos relacionados à segurança do paciente. Na proposta curricular do curso de medicina avaliada, foram identificados 13 termos rastreadores, relacionados a seis tópicos do guia da OMS sobre segurança do paciente. Conclusão: É possível verificar um currículo integrado e inovador sobre os aspectos relacionados aos temas propostos pela OMS sobre segurança do paciente.