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Wildfires are an environmental concern due to the loss of forest area and biodiversity, but also because their role as drivers of freshwater systems contamination by metals. In this context, the fish Gambusia holbrooki was used as a model, deployed for in situ exposure in watercourses standing within a recently burnt area and further assessment of toxic effects. The fish were exposed during 4 days at four different sites: one upstream and another downstream the burnt area and two within the burnt area. Biochemical biomarkers for oxidative stress and damage were assessed. The extent of lipoperoxidative damage was monitored by quantifying malondialdehyde and DNA damage evaluated through erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities observation. Chemical analysis revealed higher metal levels within the burnt area, and exposed fish consistently showed pro-oxidative responses therein, particularly an increase of gill glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activity, the records doubling compared to samples from sites in the unburnt area; also the activity of glutathione-S-transferases comparatively increased (by 2-fold in the liver) in samples from the burnt area, and malondialdehyde was produced twice as much therein and in samples downstream the burnt area reflecting oxidative damage. Consistently, the frequency of erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities was higher at sites within and downstream the burnt area. This study supports the use of sensitive oxidative stress and genotoxicity biomarkers for an early detection of potentially noxious ecological effects of wildfires runoff.

Hospital environment has factors that promote increased infections caused by microorganisms allowing them to remain viable for long periods on surfaces and fomites. The aim of our study was to identify the viability of Candida albicans in hospital environment common surfaces with biological fluids presence and disinfectants. Four surfaces (cotton fabric, synthetic fabric, egg crate foam mattress and, ceramic floor) were contaminated with a strain of Candida albicans ATCC 26790 and with an association of distilled water, blood, saliva and urine. Also, combinations of surfaces and fluids with addition of 70% alcohol and 2% sodium hypochlorite were tested. Viability was identified at 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21 days by Colony Forming Units counting. C. albicans presented 14 days viability in hospitals fabrics with absence of liquids and maintained this persistence under influence of distilled water and blood. It also showed low growth with urine addition and there was growth inhibition with 2% sodium hypochlorite while with 70% alcohol and blood there was persistence for up to 7 days in synthetic fabric and mattress. The understanding of these yeasts persistence in hospital surfaces and fomites is essential for a better delineation of protocols control the spread and these infections prevention in healthcare environments. El entorno hospitalario cuenta con factores que favorecen el aumento de infecciones provocadas por microorganismos, lo que les permite permanecer viables durante largos periodos en superficies y fómites. El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue identificar la viabilidad de Candida albicans en superficies comunes en un ambiente hospitalario con presencia de fluidos biológicos y desinfectantes. Cuatro superficies (tela de algodón, tela sintética, colchón de espuma tipo caja de huevos y piso de cerámica) fueron contaminadas con una cepa de Candida albicans ATCC 26790 y con una asociación de agua destilada, sangre, saliva y orina. Además, se probaron combinaciones de superficies y fluidos con la adición de 70% de alcohol y 2% de hipoclorito de sodio. La viabilidad se identificó a los 1, 3, 7, 14 y 21 días contando las Unidades Formadoras de Colonias. C. albicans mostró viabilidad durante 14 días en tejidos hospitalarios sin líquidos y mantuvo esta persistencia bajo la influencia de agua destilada y sangre. También mostró bajo crecimiento con la adición de orina e inhibición del crecimiento con hipoclorito de sodio al 2% mientras que con alcohol al 70% y persistencia de sangre hasta por 7 días en tela sintética y colchón. Comprender la persistencia de estas levaduras en las superficies y fómites hospitalarios es fundamental para un mejor diseño de protocolos de control de la diseminación y prevención de estas infecciones en entornos sanitarios. O ambiente hospitalar possui fatores que promovem o aumento das infecções causadas por microrganismos, permitindo que permaneçam viáveis por longos períodos em superfícies e fômites. O objetivo do nosso estudo foi identificar a viabilidade de Candida albicans em superfícies comuns de ambiente hospitalar com presença de fluidos biológicos e desinfetantes. Quatro superfícies (tecido de algodão, tecido sintético, colchão de espuma de engradado de ovo e piso de cerâmica) foram contaminadas com uma cepa de Candida albicans ATCC 26790 e com uma associação de água destilada, sangue, saliva e urina. Além disso, foram testadas combinações de superfícies e fluidos com adição de álcool 70% e hipoclorito de sódio 2%. A viabilidade foi identificada em 1, 3, 7, 14 e 21 dias por contagem de Unidades Formadoras de Colônia. C. albicans apresentou viabilidade de 14 dias em tecidos hospitalares com ausência de líquidos e manteve essa persistência sob influência de água destilada e sangue. Também apresentou baixo crescimento com adição de urina e inibição do crescimento com hipoclorito de sódio 2% enquanto com álcool 70% e sangue persistência por até 7 dias em tecido sintético e colchão. O entendimento da persistência dessas leveduras em superfícies hospitalares e fômites é essencial para um melhor delineamento de protocolos de controle de disseminação e prevenção dessas infecções em ambientes de saúde.

In the past few years the number of studies on the toxic effects of nanomaterials (NMs) in the environment increased significantly. Nonetheless, the data is still scarce, since there is a large number of NMs and new ones are being developed each day. Soils are extremely important for life, and are easily exposed to the released NMs, thus enhanced efforts are needed to study the impacts on soil biota. The objective of the present work was to determine if different concentrations of two NMs, one inorganic (TiSiO4) and other organic (nano-vesicles of sodium sodecyl sulfate/ didodecyl dimethylammonium bromide - SDS/DDAB), are genotoxic to soil invertebrates. Additionally, it was intended to understand whether, in the event of occurring, genotoxicity was caused by the incapability of the cells to deal with the oxidative stress caused by these NMs. With that purpose, Eisenia andrei were exposed for 30 days to the artificial OECD soil contaminated with different concentrations of the NMs being tested. After the exposure, coelomocytes were extracted from earthworms and DNA damage was measured by the comet assay. The activity of antioxidant enzymes (e.g. glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione-S-Transferase) and lipid peroxidation were also assessed. The results showed that both NMs were genotoxic, particularly TiSiO4 for which significant DNA damages were recorded for concentrations above 444mg of TiSiO4-NM/kg of soildw. Since no statistically significant differences were found in the tested antioxidant enzymes and in lipid peroxidation, the mechanism of genotoxicity of these NMs seemed to be unrelated with oxidative stress.

Anthropogenic activities, such as agriculture and industrial activities, are a main source of pollution contributing for the degradation of water quality and thus affecting the living organisms of aquatic systems. Copper is widely used at these practices being often released into the aquatic systems and may cause negative effects in its communities. This study proposes to determine the effects of copper in the antioxidant defence system of two size classes (big and small sizes) of Scrobicularia plana and Cerastoderma edule, two marine bivalve species with commercial interest. It was observed the behaviour activity of the organisms during the exposure to copper sulphate (CS) and was determined the enzymatic activities of glutathione-S-transferases (GST), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) (both selenium-dependent (SeGPx) and total (tGPx)) in the muscle tissue (foot). Lipid peroxidation (LPO) was evaluated through thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) measurement in the foot. Changes in the behaviour and enzymatic activity were observed. Lipid peroxidation was observed at C. edule and S. plana big and small size classes, respectively, according to TBARS levels. The foot showed to be a good tissue to be used in biochemical analysis to detect the presence of toxicants.

A remediação baseada em plantas (fitorremediação) é uma ferramenta biotecnológica utilizada para a descontaminação de solos e/ou corpos d’água poluídos, inclusive por metais. O objetivo do presente estudo foi estudar a bioacumulação em plantas de girassol (Helianthus annus L.) cultivadas em solo contaminado por cromo (Cr) metálico utilizando a planta girassol, que é um dos melhores “hiperacumuladores” para a fitorremediação de locais poluídos por metais. Foram analisados o acúmulo de Cr no conteúdo de biomassa da parte aérea e no óleo extraído das sementes das plantas cultivadas em solo contaminado por esse metal. Os girassóis foram cultivados em vasos e os tratamentos foram com soluções de dicromato de potássio (K2Cr2O7) nas concentrações zero, 18, 36 e 72 mg Kg-1 e as análises foram realizadas por espectrometria de absorção atômica. Os resultados indicaram que há redução significativa da biomassa das plantas com aumento da dosagem de Cr, acumulando altas porcentagens do metal nos tecidos vegetais da parte aérea, sendo tóxico na concentração mais elevada (72 mg kg-1). No óleo, observou-se que nas diferentes concentrações de Cr no solo, o teor encontrado do metal foi o mesmo. A planta de girassol apresenta potencial fitoextrator de Cr quando cultivada em solo contaminado por esse metal. Destaca-se que o óleo extraído das sementes cultivadas nestas condições não é adequado para consumo humano, em virtude do alto teor de metal.

The present study aims to examine physiological and biochemical response of three commercial fish species (Dicentrarchus labrax; Platichthys flesus and Solea solea), over contrasting environmental dynamics: an extremely dry (2012) and flood (2014) years, in a shallow temperate southern European estuary, the Mondego Estuary (Portugal). Physiological and biochemical biomarkers were evaluated by a principal component analysis (PCA), which allowed to conclude that severe climatic events affected the set of fish species analyzed, revealing two distinct annual brain antioxidant responses. The drought episode affected the physiological state of the organisms, as well as increased brain antioxidant potential, strongly associated with fluctuations in environmental drivers (salinity and dissolved oxygen), however, ROS have not been effectively neutralized by antioxidant defence system causing lipid peroxidation. During flood episode was stated a general depletion of the antioxidant potential in the analyzed fish species, affected by interactions with chemical compounds, increased by a combination of high precipitation and associated runoff, probably, increasing nutrient and contaminant load at the Mondego estuary. Nevertheless, lipid peroxidation remained low, related to the action of non-enzymatic antioxidants, since that the studied fish species had optimal physiological status and high nutritive reserves. According to the present work we consider that brain enzymatic depletion may be organ-specific, looking to the greater vulnerability of brain's proteins to degradation compared to lipids. The role of enzymatic mobilization on fish brains is not extensively yet known, but our results suggest that brain seems to be metabolic sensitive to salinity and dissolved oxygen fluctuations. This is the first approach made to evaluate the physiological and biochemical responses of the brain of aquatic organisms’ to extreme climatic events and to establish reference values to determine the effects of extreme climate events to aquatic species. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of different cultivation procedures (conventional and organic), different sanitizers (ozone and chlorine) during the post-harvest storage of cabbages hybrid Fuyutoyo (Brassica oleracea var. capitata). The cabbage plants were purchased directly from producers. At the end of the cropping cycle, which occurred 120 days after sowing, crop harvesting was carried out and the plants were immediately sanitized with water, chlorine and ozone. After cleansing, the cabbage plants were stored in a cooling chamber at 5 °C between 12 and 20 days. To predict the effect of commercialization, the cabbage head were removed between 12 and 20 days from the cooling chamber, one part was analyzed and the rest maintained in a local temperature (22 ± 2 °C) for 4 days. The biochemical analysis of the following were determined: total phenols, total flavonoids, vitamin C, total chlorophyll, nitrate, polyamines and antioxidant activity after 0, 12 and 20 days storage and 4 days at room temperature (12 + 4 and 20 + 4 days of storage), for market analysis. The biochemical analyses showed no statistical differences between conventional and organic cabbages. Thus, the consumption of organic or conventional cabbage provide the same content of antioxidant compounds analyzed and the sanitizing procedure (ozonated water ) did not modify the antioxidant capacity of the plant.

Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-11T17:11:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2017-11-17 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) The influence of cooking methods on chlorophyl, carotenoids, polyamines, polyphenols contents and antioxidant capacity were analyzed in organic and conventional green beans. The initial raw material had a higher content of chlorophyl and total phenolics in conventional green beans, whereas organic cultive favored flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity. Polyamines and carotenoids were similar for the two crop systems. After the cooking process, carotenoids (β-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin) increased. Microwave heating favored the enhancement of some polar compounds, whereas pressure cooking favored carotenoids. When we used the estimation of the radical scavenging activity by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy, a reduction of the DPPH radical signal in the presence of green bean extracts was observed, regardless of the mode of cultivation. The highest reduction of the ESR signal ocurred for microwave cooking in organic and conventional green beans, indicating a higher availability of antioxidants with this type of heat treatment. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Institute of Biosciences São Paulo State University (UNESP) Universidade do Oeste Paulista (UNOESTE) Department of Physic and Biophysic Institute of Biosciences São Paulo State University (UNESP) Faculty of Medicine São Paulo State University (UNESP) Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science University of Padua (UNIPD) Department of Horticultural Sciences Texas A&M University Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Institute of Biosciences São Paulo State University (UNESP) Department of Physic and Biophysic Institute of Biosciences São Paulo State University (UNESP) Faculty of Medicine São Paulo State University (UNESP) CAPES: 02441/09-8 FAPESP: 2013/05644-3 CNPq: 306151/2012-0 CAPES: 478375/10-7

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-01T18:44:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2014. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2016-04-01T18:50:09Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 ISSN2157-944X-2014-05-10-929-935.pdf: 304220 bytes, checksum: 8bb183444813b15d2b9883901cbb6e3f (MD5) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Effects of ozonated water as sanitizer method on mango were studied on total phenolics, flavonoids, carotenoids and vitamin C of pulp or peel. Mango cultivar “Palmer” was harvested and subjected to sanitization treatments by immersion in water, chlorinated water (10 minutes sodium hypochlorite 100 mg∙L−1) or ozonated water for 10 and 20 minutes. After the sanitization process, the mangoes were stored at 15˚C ± 1˚C and 85% ± 5% RH for seven days, followed by 4 days of storage at room temperature (simulating the trading period), totaling 11 days after harvested. Mangoes pulp sanitized with ozonated water for 20 minutes showed the highest values of TA, total soluble carbohydrates, vitamin C, carotenoids and flavonoid content. These data suggest that the use of ozonated water may contribute to inducing increase antioxidants compounds. Universidade Estadual Paulista, Departamento de Química de Bioquímica, Instituto de Biociências de Botucatu FAPESP: 2013/05644-3 CNPq: 478372/2013-2 CNPq: 141354/2012-7 CAPES: 2441/09-8 CAPES: 478375/2010-7

Made available in DSpace on 2018-11-26T16:56:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2016-10-01 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) We investigated the alterations on bioactive compounds after treatments with ozonated water during the storage of organically and conventionally cultivated mangoes, cv. Palmer. Mangoes were stored in a cold chamber (14 +/- 2 degrees C) for 15 d and evaluated after the harvest and sanitization treatments (chlorine and ozonated water-10 and 20 min) at 7 and 15 d. To simulate the market, after 7 d, mangoes were removed from cold storage and kept at room temperature (27 +/- 2 degrees C) to !--!> be analyzed following 4 (7 + 4) and 8 (7 + 8) d at room temperature. The conventionally mango showed higher firmness, regardless of the sanitization system used. Ozonated water did not alter the levels of beta-carotene, ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid and phenol in organically or conventionally cultivated mangoes during storage, but when the mangoes, cv. Palmer were transferred to room temperature, the beta-carotene level increased. Organically cultivated mangoes showed higher levels of antioxidant activity. Ozonated water can be used as an alternative to chlorine sanitizer without causing damage to mango, cv. Palmer fruit or inducing a decrease in the various compounds and the treatment using ozonated water was efficient for maintaining fruit without microorganisms, preventing the reduction of quality and avoiding the generation of organic waste. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Sao Paulo State Univ, Dept Chem & Biochem, IB, Botucatu, SP, Brazil Sao Paulo State Univ, Fac Med, Botucatu, SP, Brazil Univ Politecn Cartagena, Dept Ingn Alimentos, Grp Postrecolecc & Refrigerac, Murcia, Spain Univ Padua, Dept Comparat Biomed & Food Sci, Padua, Italy Sao Paulo State Univ, Dept Chem & Biochem, IB, Botucatu, SP, Brazil Sao Paulo State Univ, Fac Med, Botucatu, SP, Brazil CNPq: CNPq-141354/2012-7 CNPq: 478372/2013-2 CNPq: 306151/2012-0 CNPq: 305177/2015-0 FAPESP: 2013/05644-3

Made available in DSpace on 2018-11-26T16:54:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2016-10-30 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) In this study, we grew Curcuma longa in field conditions under a range of shade levels and the exclusion of solar UV wavelengths to determine the effects of solar UV exclusion during cultivation on the physiology and production of curcuminoids. To broaden the biochemical characterization, the activities of L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and peroxidase (POD), as well as total phenol content (TP) and polyamines (PAs), were considered. We discovered that the curcumin and DMC content remain unaltered, however BDMC was higher in the turmeric under 50% shading, comparing with UV exclusion. Although the total curcuminoid cohtent remain unaltered, UV exclusion led to higher CO2 net assimilation, biomass production and consequently, a notable 21% increase of total curcuminoid yield, compared with the best result obtained by standard shading; thus UV exclusion improved total curcuminoid yield and this result may be important to the development of C. longa with high rhizome yield and with high curcuminoid content. This finding underlines the importance of selective wavelengths in C. longa cultivation. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Sao Paulo State Univ, Inst Biosci, Dept Chem & Biochem, CP 510, BR-18618970 Botucatu, SP, Brazil Univ Oeste Paulista, Campus 2, BR-19067175 Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil Dept Comparat Biomed & Food Sci, Viale Univ 16, I-35020 Padua, Italy Sao Paulo State Univ, Sch Agron, Dept Hort, CP 510, BR-18618970 Botucatu, SP, Brazil Sao Paulo State Univ, Inst Biosci, Dept Chem & Biochem, CP 510, BR-18618970 Botucatu, SP, Brazil Sao Paulo State Univ, Sch Agron, Dept Hort, CP 510, BR-18618970 Botucatu, SP, Brazil CAPES: 99999.010436/2014-06 CNPq: 478372/2013-2 CNPq: 306151/2012-0 FAPESP: 2013/05644-3

Submitted by Guilherme Lemeszenski (guilherme@nead.unesp.br) on 2013-08-22T19:00:23Z No. of bitstreams: 1 S0103-84782012000100009.pdf: 1226262 bytes, checksum: 8ac38ac77b3a35388674f0bc864ff726 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2013-08-22T19:00:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 S0103-84782012000100009.pdf: 1226262 bytes, checksum: 8ac38ac77b3a35388674f0bc864ff726 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-01-01 Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-30T19:58:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0103-84782012000100009.pdf: 1226262 bytes, checksum: 8ac38ac77b3a35388674f0bc864ff726 (MD5) S0103-84782012000100009.pdf.txt: 23980 bytes, checksum: 0cad961eca2a6a71c48161d3334dce2d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-01-01 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T15:15:08Z No. of bitstreams: 2 S0103-84782012000100009.pdf: 1226262 bytes, checksum: 8ac38ac77b3a35388674f0bc864ff726 (MD5) S0103-84782012000100009.pdf.txt: 23980 bytes, checksum: 0cad961eca2a6a71c48161d3334dce2d (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T15:15:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0103-84782012000100009.pdf: 1226262 bytes, checksum: 8ac38ac77b3a35388674f0bc864ff726 (MD5) S0103-84782012000100009.pdf.txt: 23980 bytes, checksum: 0cad961eca2a6a71c48161d3334dce2d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-01-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Os benefícios do consumo de frutas e hortaliças sempre foram associados à presença de vitaminas e fibras. Entretanto, outros compostos são importantes e muitos exercem função antioxidante, destacando-se os polifenóis e pigmentos. Neste trabalho, foram caracterizadas as polpas de sete cultivares de pêssegos, duas de polpa branca e cinco de polpa amarela, utilizando-se frutas no ponto de consumo (frutos com coloração de fundo amarela). Foi avaliada a concentração de vitamina C, polifenóis, pigmentos e a capacidade antioxidante. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, constando de sete tratamentos e três repetições, sendo cada repetição composta por seis frutos. O teor de vitamina C variou de 7,74 a 17,31mg em 100g-1 de polpa; a concentração de polifenóis variou de 53,33 a 141,77mg de ácido gálico em 100g-1 de polpa; o conteúdo de clorofila 'A' variou de 11,59 a 44,61ug em 100g-1 de polpa; o conteúdo de clorofila 'B' variou de 69,69 a 411,37ug em 100g-1 de polpa; os carotenóides totais variaram de 28,69 a 81,58ug em 100g-1 de polpa; as antocianinas variaram de 85,13 a 336,05ug em 100g-1 de polpa. A atividade antioxidante variou de 35,81 a 65,39mg de DPPH reduzido 100g-1 de polpa. Foi verificada correlação positiva significativa entre vitamina C e atividade antioxidante. The benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption have been always associated with the presence of vitamins and fiber. However, other compounds are important and many exert antioxidant function, especially the polyphenols and pigments. In this study, fleshes of seven peach cultivars were characterized, two from white flesh cultivars and five of yellow flesh, all from fruits at the point of consumption (fruits with yellow background color). It was evaluated the concentration of vitamin C, polyphenols, pigments and antioxidant capacity. The experimental design was completely randomized, consisting of seven treatments and three replications, with six fruits per plot. The vitamin C content ranged from 7.74 to 17.31mg of vitamin C 100g-1 flesh, the concentration of polyphenols ranged from 53.33 to 141.77mg of gallic acid 100g1 flesh, the chlorophyll 'A' content ranged from 11.59 to 44.61ug chlorophyll 'A' 100g-1 flesh, the chlorophyll 'B' content ranged from 69.69 to 411.37ug chlorophyll 'B' 100g-1 flesh; carotenoids ranged from 28.69 to 81.58ug-1 carotenoids 100g flesh; anthocyanins ranged from 85.13 to 336.05ug-1 antocyanins 100g flesh. The antioxidant activity ranged from 35.81 to 65.39mg of reduced DPPH- 100g-1 flesh. Significant positive correlation was found between vitamin C and antioxidant activity. Universidade Estadual Paulista Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas Departamento de Produção Vegetal (Horticultura) Universidade Estadual Paulista Instituto de Biociências Departamento de Química e Bioquímica Universidade Estadual Paulista Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas Departamento de Produção Vegetal (Horticultura) Universidade Estadual Paulista Instituto de Biociências Departamento de Química e Bioquímica

Human mining activities tend often to generate greatly impacted areas which remain contaminated for long periods of time, giving rise to extreme habitats. Mining sites are usually characterized for the production of metal rich effluents with very low pH. In this work we analyzed physical and chemical parameters of water from a deactivated uranium mine pond (M) and a reference site (REF) as well as their metal content. Furthermore, we determined and compared metal accumulation in liver, kidney, bones, muscle and skin of Pelophylax perezi from REF with P. perezi from M. We also determined the enzymatic activities of glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (Gred), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx; both selenium-dependent and seleniumindependent) in liver, kidney, lung and heart. Additionally, lipoperoxidation (LPO) was also assessed in the same tissues via thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was determined in muscle. Our results revealed that the majority of metals were in higher concentrations in tissues of organisms from M. This trend was especially evident for U whose content reached a difference of 1350 fold between REF and M organisms. None of the organs tested for antioxidant defenses revealed LPO, nonetheless, with exception for liver, all organs from the M frogs presented increased total GPx activity and selenium-dependent GPx. However, this response was significant only for the lung, probably as a consequence of the significant inhibition of CAT upstream and to cope with the subsequent increase in H2O2. Lungs were the organs displaying greater responsiveness of the anti-oxidant stress system in frogs from the uranium mine area. published

Hipertensão pulmonar primária é uma doença rara, progressiva e com alta mortalidade, cujo tratamento baseia-se em medicações de alto custo e pouco disponíveis em nosso meio. O sildenafil é um vasodilatador de fácil administração por via oral, com indicação primária para disfunção erétil e que recentemente tem sido descrito como opção terapêutica para a hipertensão pulmonar primária. Relata-se o caso de uma paciente de 21 anos com diagnóstico de hipertensão pulmonar primária, que apresentou piora abrupta da saturação de oxigênio, com abertura do forame oval e shunt direita-esquerda, evidenciados ao ecocardiograma. Foi introduzido sildenafil na dose de 225mg/dia com melhora progressiva da oxigenação e reversão do shunt após 40 dias. Os autores acreditam que o sildenafil seja uma opção no tratamento da hipertensão pulmonar primária, embora estudos clínicos que comprovem sua segurança e eficácia ainda sejam necessários. Primary pulmonary hypertension is a rare, progressive disease with high mortality rates. The treatment of primary pulmonary hypertension is still based on high-cost drugs, not yet available in developing countries. Recently, the use of sildenafil as an alternative drug for primary pulmonary hypertension treatment has been reported. It is reported a case of a 21 year-old female patient with primary pulmonary hypertension, who presented an acute worsening of symptoms and decrease of oxygen saturation. The investigation revealed the existence of a patent oval foramen not previously seen, with right-to-left shunt. Sildenafil treatment was instituted in escalating doses. After 40 days of treatment, the echocardiogram showed resolution of the shunt, concomitant to oxygenation improvement. The authors believe that sildenafil is a feasible alternative for primary pulmonary hypertension treatment, although larger clinical trials are necessary to determine its clinical safety and efficacy.

Antioxidant defences are the primary mechanisms by which organisms compensate oxidative damage caused by contact with several types of substances prone to establish oxidative cycles. Biomarkers are one of the most useful tools to assess effects consequent to environmental exposure to a large number of xenobiotics. However, the use of biomarkers requires previous standardization of enzymatic protocols in order to guarantee accuracy and relevance of obtained results. This article describes standardized conditions for the use of several enzymatic biomarkers (oxidative stress: glutathione peroxidase, lipid peroxidation, glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferase and catalase; respiration: lactate dehydrogenase) for the evaluation of responses of specimens of Eisenia andrei, Pelophylax perezi (formerly Rana perezi) and Apodemus sylvaticus. Furthermore, we also present the normal values of activity for the given markers, for non-exposed organisms, that can serve as comparative indexes for subsequent studies. We conclude that these species are thus a suitable target to serve as sentinels in studies of environmental contamination by chemicals, which can lead to oxidative and physiological modifications. published

Within the tier 1 of a site specific risk assessment, the pseudo-total concentrations (extracted with aqua regia) and the potential mobile fractions of metals were determined to perform a preliminary evaluation of risks posed by contaminated soils from an abandoned uranium mine (Mangualde, Central Portugal). Considering the mobile fractions of metals, extracted with artificial rain water, aluminium and uranium were the most concerning elements, since their concentrations were above soil quality criteria values (SQGVs) established for both elements. However, according to the evaluation based on potential mobile fractions of elements, rather than on pseudo-total metal concentrations the risks were limited to sites within the exploitation area, where contamination derives mainly from past in-situ leaching activities of pore ore as well as from the deposition of sludge from the effluent pond. The exclusion of other sites under evaluation, from the risk assessment process, requires additional data provided by soil screening ecotoxicological assays.