Clustering Of Water Bodies In Unpolluted And Polluted Environments Based On Escherichia Coli Phylogroup Abundance Using A Simple Interaction Database.

Different types of water bodies, including lakes, streams, and coastal marine waters, are often susceptible to fecal contamination from a range of point and nonpoint sources, and have been evaluated using fecal indicator microorganisms. The most commonly used fecal indicator is Escherichia coli, but traditional cultivation methods do not allow discrimination of the source of pollution. The use of triplex PCR offers an approach that is fast and inexpensive, and here enabled the identification of phylogroups. The phylogenetic distribution of E. coli subgroups isolated from water samples revealed higher frequencies of subgroups A1 and B23 in rivers impacted by human pollution sources, while subgroups D1 and D2 were associated with pristine sites, and subgroup B1 with domesticated animal sources, suggesting their use as a first screening for pollution source identification. A simple classification is also proposed based on phylogenetic subgroup distribution using the w-clique metric, enabling differentiation of polluted and unpolluted sites.

The Role of Mucus in Mytella falcata (Orbigny 1842) Gills from Polluted Environments

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

The significance of changes in Mytella falcata (Orbigny, 1842) gill filaments chronically exposed to polluted environments

The impact of pollutants in an organism can be observed by changes in functional complexity at different levels. Bivalve gills are suitable for histopathological analysis because of their structure and function. This study aimed at examining the morphology of Mytella falcata gill filaments from three sites in the Santos estuary (São Paulo, Brazil) with different levels of environmental degradation to identify possible changes in gill structure and discuss the significance of these alterations. For this purpose, histological, histochemical and ultrastructural techniques were used. The filaments of animals from site A (less impacted site) were intact, while in sites B and C, pathological changes were observed, such as: detachment of the epithelium in the intermediate zone, morphological changes of this epithelium, inflammatory process, increase in the number of mucous cells and cell turnover processes. These results suggest that the related changes are an attempt to prevent the entrance of pollutants through gill filaments into the entire organism and that cell turnover is the final way to compensate cell injury. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Effects of exposition to polluted environments on blood cells of the fish Prochilodus lineatus

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effects of exposition to polluted environments on blood cells of the fish Prochilodus lineatus

In this study, we investigated the effects of contaminated water on the blood parameters of the fish Prochilodus lineatus exposed during 7 and 20 days. Blood was collected with heparinized syringes, and blood smears were prepared and stained with Leishman stain. Slides were examined and photographed using a Leica light microscope. Total white blood cell counts and differential counts of thrombocytes and leukocytes were obtained for statistical analysis. The group exposed to water samples from Lago Azul exhibited an increase in the number of leukocytes and in the total number of white blood cells, suggesting that the chemical contaminants in this environment were acting similarly to antigens in this fish species, causing the proliferation of defense cells. In the group exposed to detergent during 20 days, the number of thrombocytes decreased. These results suggest that the variations in the number of leukocytes were indicators of environmental pollution and that biodegradable detergents may, after a certain time of exposure, affect vital functions in fish, such as coagulation and prevention of infections, which directly involves thrombocytes. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2012. (c) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Environmental isolation of black yeast-like fungi involved in human infection

The present study focuses on potential agents of chromoblastomycosis and other endemic diseases in the state of Parana, Southern Brazil. Using a highly selective protocol for chaetothyrialean black yeasts and relatives, environmental samples from the living area of symptomatic patients were analysed. Additional strains were isolated from creosote-treated wood and hydrocarbon-polluted environments, as such polluted sites have been supposed to enhance black yeast prevalence. Isolates showed morphologies compatible with the traditional etiological agents of chromoblastomycosis, e.g. Fonsecaea pedrosoi and Phialophora verrucosa, and of agents of subcutaneous or systemic infections like Cladophialophora bantiana and Exophiala jeanselmei. Some agents of mild disease were indeed encountered. However, molecular analysis proved that most environmental strains differed from known etiologic agents of pronounced disease syndromes: they belonged to the same order, but mostly were undescribed species. Agents of chromoblastomycosis and systemic disease thus far are prevalent on the human host. The hydrocarbon-polluted environments yielded yet another spectrum of chaetothyrialean fungi. These observations are of great relevance because they allow us to distinguish between categories of opportunists, indicating possible differences in pathogenicity and virulence.

Characterizing the fungal and bacterial microflora and concentrations in fitness centres

Fitness centres are special places where conditions for microbiological proliferation should be considered. Moisture due to human perspiration and water condensation as a result of human physical activities are prevalent in this type of buildings. Exposure to microbial contaminants is clinically associated with respiratory disorders and people who work out in polluted environments would be susceptible to contaminants. This work studied the indoor air contamination in three gymnasiums in Lisbon. The sampling was performed at two periods: at the opening (morning) and closing (night) of the three gymnasiums. The airborne bacterial and fungal populations were sampled by impaction directly onto Tryptic Soy Agar (for bacteria) and Malt Extract Agar (for fungi) plates, using a Merck MAS-100 air sampler. Higher bacterial concentrations were found at night as compared to the morning but the same behaviour was not found for fungal concentrations. Gram-negative catalase positive cocci were the dominant bacteria in indoor air samples of the studied gymnasiums. In this study, 21 genera/species of fungal colonies were identified. Chrysosporium sp., Chrysonilia sp., Neoscytalidium hialinum, Sepedonium sp. and Penicillium sp. were the most prevalent species identified in the morning, while Cladosporium sp., Penicillium sp., Chrysosporium sp., Acremonium sp. and Chrysonilia sp. were more prevalent at night. A well-designed sanitation and maintenance program for gymnasiums is needed to ensure healthier space for indoor physical activity.

Alteration and alterability of the anorthosite from Angola

Siliceous rocks are widely used as dimension stone but the last decades have registered an increase rate of their alteration when exposed to polluted environments. Anorthosites were treated by acidified solutions of HCl, HN03 and H2S04 simulating acid rain and the response was recorded through different experiments such as on the surface of the polished rock and on the surface of uncovered thin sections. The main components, plagioclase and olivine, both responded in similar ways to each acid solution, although following different trends; while plagioclase develops a thin layer which acts as protection to the mineral, olivine at first undergoes alteration due to leaching of magnesium and iron and in a following stage, is mechanically removed from the rock. The action of warm water on the rock was tested through the use of the Soxhlet extractor which caused changes on the rock colour and leaching of several cations from its components.

Neurotransmitter Functional Role in Neurodegenerative Diseases: human Health

Neuroscience is the study of'tbe ne rvous system , including the i - ; . in, spinal cord and peripheral nerves . Neurons are the basic cells of the brain and nervous system which exerts its functional role through various neurotransmitters and receptor systems . The activity of a nen ren depends on the balance between the number of excitatory and inhibito r y processes affecting it, both processes occurring individually and sin ,tlte-' ,ieously. The functional bal,ince of different neurotransmitters such as Acct >>lcholine (Ach), Dopamine (DA), Serotonin (5-1-17), Nor epinepbri,te (N.1 j, Epinephrine (LPI), Glutamate and Gamma amino butyric acid (GA BA) regulates the growth , division and other vital functions ofa normal cell / organisin (Sudha, 1 998). The micro-environ ; nertt of the cell is controlled / the macro-environment that surrounds the individual. Any change in the cell environment causes imbalance in cell homeostasis and f,ntction. Pollution is a significant cause of imbalance caused iii the inacYcenvironment. Interaction with polluted environments can have an adverse impact on the health of humans. The alarming rise in enviromilmieil cont.iniin :rtion has been linked to rises in levels of pesticides, ndltstr al effluents, domestic Waste, car exhausts and other anthropogenic activities. Persistent exposures to contaminant cause a negative imp,-, on brain health and development . Pollution also causes a change in the neurotransmitters and their receptor function leading to earl.;' recurrence of neurodcge,terative disorders such as flypoxia , Alzbeimers's and Huntington 's disease early in life.

Prevalencia de los trastornos de voz ocupacionales en los docentes de dos instituciones educativas de nivel superior en Colombia en el año 2013-2014

Resumen: En la población docente, el uso de la voz como principal herramienta del trabajo por su esfuerzo constante y prolongado constituye el principal factor de riesgo para padecer trastornos de la voz, concomitante con otros factores que inciden en la presentación de estas patologías. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de los trastornos en la voz y sus factores asociados de la población docente de dos instituciones de educación superior (IES) en Colombia y los factores de riesgo asociados. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de tipo transversal, en el que participaron 149 docentes de dos IES (instituciones de educación superior) de dos ciudades de Colombia. Se aplicó un cuestionario sustentado en el Modelo de Técnicas Foniátricas para Prevenir la Disfonía en Profesores de Secundaria en Portugal y validado por la escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, programa de fonoaudiología de la Universidad del Rosario con el trabajo denominado “La Voz como herramienta de trabajo” para Colombia; el cual indagaba los factores riesgo asociados al uso de la voz en el quehacer docente. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de las variables cualitativas con frecuencias absolutas y porcentajes, medidas de tendencia central, promedio y mediana, de dispersión y desviación estándar. La información recolectada fue analizada con el software SPSS.PASW 18. La correlación entre las variables dependientes y las independientes, se realizaron con el coeficiente no-paramétrico de Spearman y la asociación con la prueba Ji-cuadrado de Pearson o el test exacto de Fisher (valores esperados < 5). Se evaluaron las distribuciones de las variables ordinales de las variables de problemas de la voz con el género, con la prueba no-paramétrica exacta de Mann Whitney. Las pruebas estadísticas se evaluaron a un nivel de significancia del 5% (p<0.05). Resultados: El promedio de edad fue de 36±11.7 años, con un rango que varió entre 25 y 68 años. El género más frecuente fue el masculino con 57,0% de participación. Los datos presentados se dan como resultado de las respuestas a tres preguntas indicativas de los trastornos de voz, las cuales no fueron respondidas por la totalidad de los docentes, por esta razón los datos se presentan así t= número total de personas que respondieron la pregunta y n= número de personas que respondieron afirmativamente. La prevalencia de alteración de voz fue del 63,4% (t=82; n=52), de disminución en el volumen de su voz de 57,3% (t=122; n=70) y cansancio laríngeo en el 76,8% (t=121; n=93). El cansancio laríngeo fue significativamente mayor en los hombres que en las mujeres (p=0.026, Test Mann Whitney exacto a una cola), con algunos hábitos de voz como el realizar esfuerzos en el cuello al hablar (rs = 0,461; p< 0,001) y con la dificultad para inhalar o exhalar aire al hablar (rs = 0,368; p<0.001), con el ruido de fondo (rs =0,361, p<0,001), al permanecer en ambientes contaminados con polvo y humedad (rs=0,311; p=0.001), con sufrir de estrés representado por dolor cervical en espalda y hombros (rs=0,349, p<0.001), y con los problemas familiares (rs= 0,397; p<0.001). Al analizar con la disminución del volumen de voz durante la práctica docente, las correlaciones más significativas mostradas fue estadísticamente mayor entre los hombres que en las mujeres (p=0.006, Test Mann Whitney exacto a una cola), con el esfuerzo cervical para hablar (rs =:0,596, p=<,001), y con el presentar dificultad para inhalar/exhalar aire al usar la voz (rs =0,508, p<,001), con la exposición a ruido de fondo (rs=0,204, p=0,030), ambientes contaminados con polvo y humedad (rs:=305, p<,001), con el estrés (rs =0,316, p=0,001), con los problemas familiares (rs =0,560, p<,001) y en las mujeres con la alteración de la voz en presencia de la menstruación (rs =0,751, p=0,000). Por último, se correlacionó con las alteraciones de voz durante la exposición laboral en la que se mostró mayor correlación en las mujeres que en los hombres (p=0.001, Test Mann Whitney exacto a una cola). Se mostró correlación directa con el no realizar pausas al hablar (rs=0,337, p<0,001), con toser para aclarar la voz (rs =0,349, p=0,001), y con el uso de la voz grave (rs =0,975; p=,004) ,con la presencia de ruido de fondo mientras se dicta clase (rs =0,370, p=0,001) con el permanecer en ambientes contaminados con polvo y humedad (rs =0,253,p=,023), con los síntomas cervicales asociados al estrés (rs=0,323, p=0,003), e inversa con los cambios en tono y volumen de la voz en presencia de menstruación en las mujeres (rs=-0,414,p=,017). Conclusiones: Con los hallazgos encontrados en este estudio es importante reconocer que en las características demográficas, se encontró que el género masculino refirió mayor cantidad de problemas de voz. Para las características laborales la antigüedad ocupacional es factor principal que incide en los problemas de voz; en el análisis de las características demográfico– laborales en las variables analizadas, el grupo etario que reporto cansancio laríngeo se encontraba entre los 36 a 45 años de edad, y los que referían un tiempo de exposición ocupacional mayor a 6 y menor a 15 años. En cuanto a los factores ambientales se identificó que la asociación más significativa está relacionada con estar sometido a cambios bruscos de temperatura, estar expuesto a ruido de fondo durante su labor y finalmente a permanecer en ambientes contaminados. Por ultimo al analizar las alteraciones de la voz con las características personales de los docentes, se observó que el estrés y los problemas familiares inciden de forma significativa en estas patologías. Con estos resultados se recomienda establecer un sistema de vigilancia epidemiológica en las IES, donde se capacite integralmente a los docentes en cuanto a los factores de riesgo personales y de hábitos de voz, además de supervisar y adecuar los factores ambientales que inciden en la presentación de trastornos de voz para evitar la presentación de estas patologías.

Anthocyanins and tannins in ozone-fumigated guava trees

Psidium guajava ""Paluma"", a tropical tree species, is known to be an efficient ozone indicator in tropical countries. When exposed to ozone, this species displays a characteristic leaf injury identified by inter-veinal red stippling on adaxial leaf surfaces. Following 30 days of three ozone treatments consisting of carbon filtered air (CF - AOT40 = 17 ppb h), ambient non-filtered air (NF - AOT40 = 542 ppb h) and ambient non-filtered air + 40 ppb ozone (NF + O(3) - AOT40 - 7802 ppb h), the amounts of residual anthocyanins and tannins present in 10 P. guajava (""Paluma"") saplings were quantified. Higher amounts of anthocyanins were found in the NF + O(3) treatment (1.6%) when compared to the CF (0.97%) and NF (1.30%) (p < 0.05), and of total tannins in the NF + O(3) treatment (0.16%) compared to the CIF (0.14%). Condensed tannins showed the same tendency as enhanced amounts. Regression analyses using amounts of tannins and anthocyanins, AOT40 and the leaf injury index (LII), showed a correlation between the leaf injury index and quantities of anthocyanins and total tannins. These results are in accordance with the association between the incidence of red-stippled leaves and ozone polluted environments. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Anthocyanins and tannins in ozone-fumigated guava trees

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Environmental isolation of black yeast-like fungi involved in human infection

The present study focuses on potential agents of chromoblastomycosis and other endemic diseases in the state of Paraná, Southern Brazil. Using a highly selective protocol for chaetothyrialean black yeasts and relatives, environmental samples from the living area of symptomatic patients were analysed. Additional strains were isolated from creosote-treated wood and hydrocarbon-polluted environments, as such polluted sites have been supposed to enhance black yeast prevalence. Isolates showed morphologies compatible with the traditional etiological agents of chromoblastomycosis, e.g. Fonsecaea pedrosoi and Phialophora verrucosa, and of agents of subcutaneous or systemic infections like Cladophialophora bantiana and Exophiala jeanselmei. Some agents of mild disease were indeed encountered. However, molecular analysis proved that most environmental strains differed from known etiologic agents of pronounced disease syndromes: they belonged to the same order, but mostly were undescribed species. Agents of chromoblastomycosis and systemic disease thus far are prevalent on the human host. The hydrocarbon-polluted environments yielded yet another spectrum of chaetothyrialean fungi. These observations are of great relevance because they allow us to distinguish between categories of opportunists, indicating possible differences in pathogenicity and virulence.

Alterações hematológicas e bioquímicas em uma população de Phrynops geoffroanus (Schweigger, 1812) em reposta a estressores ambientes

Pós-graduação em Genética - IBILCE