Plantas tóxicas do município de Cananéia: um enfoque etnobotânico

Among several sites in Brazil, where the local human community develop a consistent knowledge on the environment they live, there is Cananeia local authority in south coast of Sao Paulo. The history of Cananeia is presented as an ancient human occupation, which, nowadays, culminates in 12000 habitants that survive from tourism and fishing. Considering the great importance of the knowledge about plant toxicity, the objective of this work is to develop a study with the residents and its focus is their acquaintance with toxic plants, which occur on contiguous areas. After a preliminary recognition field work, the local authority under study was subdivided into two areas for sampling, characterized by the different levels of human occupation: (A) Island area, more occupied, and (B) Continental area, less occupied. The semi-structured interviews were conducted in both areas according to the “snow ball” method, due to the specifically interest of making comparisons. The plant species cited in the interviews were collected, herborized and identified. One proceeded quali- and quantitative analysis in order to elucidate differences between the studied areas, to establish relations among age/sex of the habitants, the cited species diversity and the practice of knowledge transmission. Were carried out 90 interviews (47 in island, 43 in continent) in which the habitants have cited 137 ethno-species. Both communities are much alike, although the manly differences were presented by the occupation and the uses of the toxic plants. At the island, were interviewed three key-informers, this fact that has not happened at the continent. It was not noticed significant statistical difference between the diversity of toxic plants knew by the habitants of both areas, but a huge dissimilarity was found. The most cited plants, especially the ornamental ones, at both areas are scientifically... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Mapeamento geológico-geotécnico do núcleo urbano central do município de Ilhabela - SP

Pós-graduação em Geociências e Meio Ambiente - IGCE

Análise da fragilidade natural do sítio urbano de Piracicaba (SP)

This research aims to analyze the natural fragility of Piracicaba Urban Site, through the analysis of a letter of Fragility Potential obtained through the data crossing the geomorphological cards, Pedologic Slope and use and occupation of the land to be developed during the project. The methodology to be used is that proposed by Ross (1990, 1994) together with the guided ideas Anthropogenic geomorphology, so that the man-made conditions of modification of the relief can be inserted in the final analyzes. The results showed that the Córrego do Enxofre Basin has high fragility of values, it is not a rich area for human occupation

The HUman MicroNucleus project on eXfoLiated buccal cells (HUMNXL): The role of life-style, host factors, occupational exposures, health status, and assay protocol

The human buccal micronucleus cytome assay (BMCyt) is one of the most widely used techniques to measure genetic damage in human population studies. Reducing protocol variability, assessing the role of confounders, and estimating a range of reference values are research priorities that will be addressed by the HUMNXL, collaborative study. The HUMNXL, project evaluates the impact of host factors, occupation, life-style, disease status, and protocol features on the occurrence of MN in exfoliated buccal cells. In addition, the study will provide a range of reference values for all cytome endpoints. A database of 5424 subjects with buccal MN values obtained from 30 laboratories worldwide was compiled and analyzed to investigate the influence of several conditions affecting MN frequency. Random effects models were mostly used to investigate MN predictors. The estimated spontaneous MN frequency was 0.74 parts per thousand (95% CI 0.52-1.05). Only staining among technical features influenced MN frequency, with an abnormal increase for non-DNA-specific stains. No effect of gender was evident, while the trend for age was highly significant (p < 0.001). Most occupational exposures and a diagnosis of cancer significantly increased MN and other endpoints frequencies. MN frequency increased in heavy smoking (>= 40 cig/day. FR = 1.37:95% CI 1.03-.82) and decreased with daily fruit consumption (FR = 0.68; 95% CI 0.50-0.91). The results of the HUMNXL, project identified priorities for validation studies, increased the basic knowledge of the assay, and contributed to the creation of a laboratory network which in perspective may allow the evaluation of disease risk associated with MN frequency. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

ORGANOCHLORINE PESTICIDE-RESIDUES IN HUMAN-MILK IN THE RIBEIRAO-PRETO REGION, STATE OF SAO-PAULO, BRAZIL

Thirty-seven samples of human milk (colostrum) from donors living in the Ribeirao Preto region were analyzed to determine the levels of organochlorine pesticide residues. Donors were classified into two groups, i.e., occupationally exposed and non-exposed to pesticides. Other factors such as age, previous lactations, race, smoking habit, occupation, family income and educational level were also considered. Analysis was performed by preliminary lipid extraction followed by fractional partition on a column and finally by gas chromatography with an electron capture detector. Lindane was found in 32% of the samples in amounts of less than 0.001 mg/kg; heptachlor was found in 65% of the samples at mean levels of 0.001 mg/kg, i.e., a level five-fold lower than that established by FAO/WHO (1970) for cow's milk. Aldrin and endrin were not detected in any of the samples. Dieldrin was detected in only one sample at a level of 0.038 mg/kg, which is considered high. DDT and DDE amounts are reported as total DDT and at least one of these compounds was present in every sample. Amounts detected in donors occupationally exposed to pesticides ranged from 0.008 to 0.455 mg/kg (mean, 0.149 mg/kg), i.e., three times the limit established by FAO/WHO (1970), while values for donors who had not been exposed ranged from 0.002 to 0.072 mg/kg (mean, 0.025 mg/kg), i.e., half the limit. Considering the level of acceptable daily intake proposed by FAO/WHO (1973), lactents ingested 1% of the acceptable intake of lindane (all donors), 30% of the acceptable intake of heptachlor (all donors), 60% of the acceptable intake of DDT (non-exposed donors), and 3.7 times the acceptable intake of DDT (exposed donors). Comparing the present results with those obtained 10 years ago, the total DDT level in human milk is decreasing in this part of the country. The mean amount of organochlorine residues in non-exposed women's milk was one of the lowest levels among those recorded in the literature. DDT levels of occupationally exposed women's milk were comparable with those reported for developed countries and lower than those detected in Latin American countries. When the results of this survey are considered in relation to the advantages of breast-feeding, the risk-benefit balance is still favorable to breast-feeding. However, given the lack of long-term epidemiological studies, undesirable or harmful long-lasting effects cannot be excluded.