Cytogenetic evaluation and the association with polymorphisms of the CPY1A1 and NR1I3 genes in individuals exposed to BTEX

The gas station attendants are exposed daily to chemical agents that compose gasoline, such as BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene), and the exposure to these agents can cause a variety of effects on the human health. Among the various possible cell alterations associated with these exposures are the formation of micronuclei and of binucleated cells which are used as indicators of clastogenic action. Benzene, the main carcinogenic agent, is metabolized to more soluble forms and easily excreted by isoenzymes of cytochrome P450, such as CYP1A1. The CYP1A1 gene is highly polymorphic and one of its allele variations can be detected by the use of restriction endonucleasis MspI and is originated by the transition of a thymine by a cytosine (3798T>C), resulting in the polymorphic allele CYP1A1*2A. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cytogenetic damage induced by the exposure to BTEX and to associate it with the polymorphisms of the CYP1A1 and NR1I3 genes. Samples of exfoliated cells from the oral mucosa of 27 gas station attendants and from a control group were collected. The results found show that the group exposed to BTEX presents significantly higher alterations than those in the control group for micronuclei (MN; 6.85?±?1.33 vs. 2.96?±?1.91, P?<?0.001) and for the total of nuclear alterations observed (MN + binucleated cells (BNC); 9.59?±?4.73 vs. 5.07?±?2.21, P?<?0.001). When comparing the cytological alterations and the genotypes among the exposed individuals for the polymorphism 3798T>C of the CYP1A1 gene, homozygotes TT present MN + BNC significantly higher than carriers of the allele C (10.88?±?5.36 vs. 5.33?±?2.52, P?=?0.028). No association was observed in the control group or for the NR1I3 gene. These results show that molecular and cytogenetic data can be used in the future as tools to monitor individuals exposed to such compounds.     

Soil heavy metal contamination in an industrial area: analysis of the data collected during a decade

Soil contamination by heavy metals has become a serious problem mainly because, above certain concentrations, all metals have adverse effects on human health. In particular, the accumulation of heavy metals in agricultural soils leads to elevated uptake by crops and affects food quality and safety. In this paper, we present the results of a study carried out over a decade for evaluating the impact of a new industrial settlement in an area geared to agriculture and livestock and far from urban sites. We focus our study on the bioavailable fraction of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in soil samples. Heavy metal concentrations in soil are analysed with both univariate and multivariate statistical procedures. The main goal of this paper is the development of a statistical procedure, based on a mix of multivariate analysis, able to compare field surveys carried out during different years and to characterize spatial and temporal changes in soil heavy metals concentrations.     

Evolution rates and PCB content of surface films that develop on impervious urban surfaces

Surface films on impervious surfaces mediate the fate of organic contaminants in urban areas. Using sheltered 3-mm diameter glass beads as a surrogate impervious urban surface, studies in downtown Toronto showed that surface films developed at a consistent rate of 1.6–2.6 nm day⁻¹. Linear film growth was observed up to and including the last day of three studies of 89-, 273-, and 84-day duration. Total PCB content (sum of 15 PCB congeners) also increased linearly, at a similar rate as the surface film. A complementary study using unsheltered beads showed that up to 80% of film mass and PCB content were removed by film wash-off during rain events. The film growth rate on beads exposed at a rural site, 200 km northeast of Toronto, was 12–20 times lower with PCB burdens that were 7–22 times lower compared to Toronto. Based on these findings, it is estimated that approximately 56–226 g of PCBs are captured by a 70 nm thick film covering just the horizontal surface area of Toronto. This is a substantial quantity of PCB that is available for rapid surface–air exchange and wash-off.     

Multibiomarker approach in fish to assess the impact of pollution in a large Brazilian river, Paraiba do Sul

This article examines the advantages of the use of biomarkers as environmental indicators by applying it to Paraiba do Sul watershed, one of the most important Brazilian water bodies, which is in a critical environmental situation. We use a multibiomarker approach in fish as an integrated strategy to assess the impact of pollution. It comprehends a general biomarker of fish health, the condition factor (CF), and specific biomarkers of contaminant exposure such as metallothionein (MT), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and biliary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) metabolites. Our results revealed different effects in the fish from diverse locations with varying degrees of pollution. Furthermore, fish located just upstream of the water-treatment plant of the metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro has shown to be affected by metals. This study indicates the usefulness of integrating a set of biomarkers to define the effects of anthropogenic inputs in aquatic bodies under complex polluted situations.     

Coexistence of Plants and Coexistence of Farmers: Is an Individual Choice Possible?

The introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Europe has been characterized by controversy. In 2002, the European Union introduced the concept of “coexistence” as a compromise solution that, through the establishment of science-based technical measures, should allow the market to operate freely while reducing policy conflicts on GMOs. However, the concept remains highly contested and the technical measures difficult to apply. This paper presents qualitative research on the conceptualization and implementation of the coexistence framework in two regions of Spain (Catalonia and Aragon), where 42% and 55% of maize was GM in 2006, respectively. In this context, the concept of coexistence and its proposed implementation both fail to resolve previous conflicts and actually work to generate new ones through the individualization of choice and impacts. Considerations of the social conditions in which the technology and the management measures are implemented were not taken into account. This resulted in the promotion of biotechnological agriculture over other alternatives.     

Magnetic susceptibility measurements as proxy method to monitor soil pollution: development of experimental protocols for field surveys

In the framework of the development of new methods for measuring and monitoring soil pollution, this paper deals with the use of magnetic methodologies to monitor the heavy metals presence in soils. In particular it shows a procedure for collecting magnetic susceptibility measurements in order to interpret them as proxy variable for monitoring heavy metals in soils. Magnetic measurements are carried out using a magnetic susceptibility meter with two different probes for in situ field surveys. The experimental procedure is divided in two parts. In the first part we carry out laboratory tests aimed to evaluate, for both the probes, the effective investigation depth for soil, the measurement reproducibility under different conditions, and the influence of water content. We complete this part comparing in situ measurements obtained by means of two probes with different characteristics. In the second part we carry out tests to evaluate the relationships between heavy metal levels and magnetic susceptibility values of soil samples. We investigate the variability of the magnetic susceptibility measurements contaminating different soil samples with well known concentration of heavy metals. Moreover we study the correlation between magnetic susceptibility values and metal concentrations, determined by means of AAS, in soil samples collected during a field survey. Results suggest that a careful check of the experimental procedure play a crucial role for using magnetic susceptibility measurements for heavy metals in situ monitoring. This is very helpful both for improving the quality of data and for making simpler data interpretation.     

Arsenic speciation of atmospheric particulate matter (PM10) in an industrialised urban site in southwestern Spain

An arsenic speciation study has been performed in PM10 samples collected on a fortnight basis in the city of Huelva (SW Spain) during 2001 and 2002. The arsenic species were extracted from the PM10 filters using a NH2OH x HCl solution and sonication, and determined by HPLC-HG-AFS. The mean bulk As concentration of the samples analyzed during 2001 and 2002 slightly exceed the mean annual 6 ng m(-3) target value proposed by the European Commission for 2013, arsenate [As(V)] being responsible for the high level of arsenic. The speciation analyses showed that As(V) was the main arsenic species found, followed by arsenite [As(III)] (mean 6.5 and 7.8 ng m(-3) for As(V), mean 1.2 and 2.1 ng m(-3) for As(III), in 2001 and 2002, respectively). The high levels of arsenic species found in PM10 in Huelva have a predominant industrial origin, such as the one from a nearby copper smelter, and do not present a seasonal pattern. The highest daily levels of arsenic species correspond to synoptic conditions in which the winds with S and SW components transport the contaminants from the main emission source. The frequent African dust outbreaks over Huelva may result in an increment of mass levels of PM10, but do not represent a significant input of arsenic in comparison to the anthropogenic source. The rural background levels of arsenic around Huelva are rather high, in comparison to other rural or urban areas in Spain, showing a relatively high atmosphere residence time of arsenic. This work shows the importance of arsenic speciation in studies of aerosol chemistry, due to the presence of arsenic species [As(III) and As(V)] with distinct toxicity.     

Total and inorganic arsenic in Antarctic macroalgae

The Antarctic region offers unparalleled possibilities of investigating the natural distribution of metals and metalloids, such as arsenic. Total and inorganic As were analysed in nine species of Antarctic macroalgae collected during the 2002 summer season in the Potter Cove area at Jubany-Dallmann Station (South Shetland Islands, Argentinian Base). Total As was determined by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry after microwave-assisted acid digestion. Inorganic As was determined by acid digestion, solvent extraction, flow injection-hydride generation-atomic absorption spectrometry. Total As ranged from 5.8 microg g(-1) dry weight (dw) (Myriogramme sp.) to 152 microg g(-1)dw (Himantothallus grandifolius). Total As concentrations were higher in Phaeophytes (mean+/-SD: 71+/-44 microg g(-1)dw) than in Rhodophytes (mean+/-SD: 15+/-11 microg g(-1)dw). Inorganic As ranged from 0.12 microg g(-1) (Myriogramme sp.) to 0.84 microg g(-1)dw (Phaeurus antarcticus). The percentage of inorganic As with respect to total As was 0.7 for Phaeophytes, but almost 4 times higher for Rhodophytes (2.6). The work discusses possible causes for the presence of As in marine organisms in that pristine environment.     

Possibility of prenatal diagnosis of hereditary triose phosphate isomerase deficiency

Prenatal diagnosis has been performed on umbilical cord blood of an 18 weeks fetus of heterozygous triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) deficient parents. After excluding maternal blood contamination, TPI activity was measured and found to be 60 per cent of the normal mean whereas the value of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity was in the normal range of fetal blood. In addition, the analysis of the characteristics of fetal TPI, i.e. K_m measurements for glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate, heat stability tests and electrophoretic studies, did not show any evidence of a special form of TPI in fetal blood. These results were consistent with the heterozygous state and were confirmed at birth.     

Prenatal sonographic appearance of foramina parietalia permagna

Foramina parietalia permagna (FPP) is an extremely uncommon congenital defect, inherited as an autosomal dominant condition. Its characteristics are two symmetrical orifices in the parietal bones (not of fixed size) on both sides of the midline. This defect does not affect either the psychic or the physical development of the affected person. This paper describes the sonographic appearance of FPP in utero as an enlargement of the posterior fontanelle.