Induction of chromosome aberrations in the Allium cepa test system caused by the exposure of seeds to industrial effluents contaminated with azo dyes

Numerous potentially mutagenic chemicals have been studied mainly because they can cause damaging and inheritable changes in the genetic material. Several tests are commonly used for biomonitoring pollution levels and to evaluate the effects of toxic and mutagenic agents present in the natural environment. This study aimed at assessing the potential of a textile effluent contaminated with azo dyes to induce chromosomal and nuclear aberrations in Allium cepa test systems. A continuous exposure of seeds in samples of the textile effluent in different concentrations was carried out (0.3%, 3%, 10%, and 100%). Cells in interphase and undergoing division were examined to assess the presence of chromosome aberrations, nuclear changes, and micronuclei. Our results revealed a mutagenic effect of the effluent at concentrations of 10% and 100%. At lower concentrations, the effluent (3% and 0.3%) did not induce mutagenic alterations in the test organism A. cepa. These findings are of concern, since cell damage may be transmitted to subsequent generations, possibly affecting the organism as a whole, as well as the local biota exposed to the effluent discharge. If the damage results in cell death, the development of the organism may be affected, which could also lead to its death. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Biophysical Journal

Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Biophys, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Hematol & Hemotherapy, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Estadual Campinas, Biochem, Campinas, SP, BrazilMax Planck Inst Colloids & Interfaces, Theory & Biosyst, Potsdam, GermanyUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Biophys, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Hematol & Hemotherapy, Sao Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Integração RIS/PACS no Hospital das Clínicas de Ribeirão Preto: uma solução baseada em "web" RIS/PACS integration at "Hospital das Clínicas de Ribeirão Preto": a web based solution

OBJETIVO: Integração dos Sistemas de Informação em Radiologia (RIS - "Radiology Information System") e de Arquivamento e Comunicação de Imagens (PACS - "Picture Archiving and Communication System") no Serviço de Radiodiagnóstico do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo, para possibilitar a consulta remota de laudos e imagens associadas. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: A integração RIS/PACS implementada é feita em tempo real, no momento da consulta, utilizando tecnologias "web" e técnicas de programação para "intranet/internet". RESULTADOS: A aplicação "web" permite a consulta pela "intranet" do hospital dos laudos de exames e imagens associadas através de nome, sobrenome, número de registro hospitalar dos pacientes ou por modalidade, dentro de um determinado período. O visualizador possibilita que o usuário navegue pelas imagens, podendo realizar algumas funções básicas como "zoom", controle de brilho e contraste e visualização de imagens lado a lado. CONCLUSÃO: A integração RIS/PACS diminui o risco de inconsistências, através da redução do número de interfaces entre bases de dados com grande redundância de informação, proporcionando um ambiente de trabalho rápido e seguro para consulta de laudos radiológicos e visualização de imagens associadas.<br>OBJECTIVE: Integration of the Radiology Information System (RIS) and the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) of the Radiodiagnosis Service of "Hospital das Clínicas de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo", Brazil, to allow remote access to reports and associated images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: RIS/PACS integration occurs in real time at the moment of consultation, using web technologies and programming techniques for intranet/internet. RESULTS: This web application allows reports and associated images viewing through the medical center intranet. Search is based on the patients' first name, last name, hospital number identification and exam modality, within a time period. The viewer allows image navigation and presents some basic functions such as zoom, brightness/contrast control and side-by-side image visualization. CONCLUSION: RIS/PACS integration minimizes the risk of inconsistencies, through the reduction of the number of interfaces among data bases with great information redundancy, providing a fast and safe work environment for radiology reports, consultation and visualization of associated images