Textile dyes induce toxicity on zebrafish early life stages

Textile manufacturing is one of the most polluting industrial sectors because of the release of potentially toxic compounds, such as synthetic dyes, into the environment. Depending on the class of the dyes, their loss in wastewaters can range from 2% to 50% of the original dye concentration. Consequently, uncontrolled use of such dyes can negatively affect human health and the ecological balance. The present study assessed the toxicity of the textile dyes Direct Black 38 (DB38), Reactive Blue 15 (RB15), Reactive Orange 16 (RO16), and Vat Green 3 (VG3) using zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos for 144 h postfertilization (hpf). At the tested conditions, none of the dyes caused significant mortality. The highest RO16 dose significantly delayed or inhibited the ability of zebrafish embryos to hatch from the chorion after 96 hpf. From 120 hpf to 144 hpf, all the dyes impaired the gas bladder inflation of zebrafish larvae, DB38 also induced curved tail, and VG3 led to yolk sac edema in zebrafish larvae. Based on these data, DB38, RB15, RO16, and VG3 can induce malformations during embryonic and larval development of zebrafish. Therefore, it is essential to remove these compounds from wastewater or reduce their concentrations to safe levels before discharging textile industry effluents into the aquatic environment

Elderly and drugs: risks and necessity of rational use

In recent decades, the world has undergone a demographic transformation with a rapid growth of the elderly population, resulting in an increased demand for funds to maintain their health and drug consumption. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes occurring in the elderly can interfere directly in the adverse effects of drugs and increase the risk of intoxication. In addition, there are external factors interfering with the pharmacotherapy of the elderly, such as inappropriate use and the lack of access to information. Many therapeutic classes of drugs should be used with caution or avoided in the elderly population, such as anti-inflammatory and some anti-hypertensive drugs, diuretics and digitalis. If not managed carefully, these medicines can affect the safety and quality of life in the elderly. Thus, the aim of this review was to identify drugs that should be used with caution in elderly patients in order to avoid intoxication and/or adverse drug events.Durante as últimas décadas, o mundo passou por uma transformação demográfica, com um rápido crescimento da população idosa e, portanto, tanto a demanda para a manutenção da saúde deste grupo populacional, quanto o consumo de medicamentos estão aumentando. Ainda, as mudanças farmacocinéticas e farmacodinâmicas que ocorrem em idosos podem interferir diretamente nos efeitos adversos dos medicamentos e aumentar o risco de intoxicação. Além disso, há fatores externos que interferem na farmacoterapia dos idosos, tais como o uso inadequado e a falta de acesso à informação. Existem várias classes terapêuticas de medicamentos que devem ser utilizados com cautela ou evitados na população idosa, tais como antiinflamatórios, alguns anti-hipertensivos, diuréticos, digitálicos entre outros. Estes medicamentos, se não forem utilizados com cuidado, podem afetar a qualidade de vida e a segurança desta população. Assim, este trabalho visa identificar medicamentos que devem ser utilizados com cuidado em pacientes idosos para evitar intoxicações e/ou eventos adversos aos medicamentos.FAPESPCNPqCoordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES

Electrochemical Reduction as a Powerful Tool to Highlight the Possible Formation of By-Products More Toxic Than Sudan III Dye

The present work describes the electrochemical reduction of the azo dye Sudan III in methanol/0.01 mol l(-1) Bu4NBF4 at applied potential of -1.2V, which promotes 98% discoloration of the commercial sample. The reduction products were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography, after optimized conditions for 20 aromatic amines with carcinogenic potentiality. The harmful compounds such as: aniline, benzidine, o-toluidine, 2,6-dimethylaniline, 4,4'-oxydianiline, 4,4'-metileno-bis-2-methylaniline and 4-aminobiphenyl are formed after azo bond cleavage. The electrochemical reduction is compared with chemical reduction by using sodium thiosulfate. Our findings illustrates that commercial Sudan III under reductive condition can forms a number of products, which some are known active genotoxins. The technique could be used to mimic important redox reactions in human metabolism or environment, highlighting the possible formation of by-products more toxic than the original dyes.FAPESPFAPESPCNPQCNPqCAPESCAPE

Evaluation of extracts from Coccoloba mollis using the Salmonella/microsome system and in vivo tests

The common everyday use of medicinal plants is an ancient, and still very widespread practice, whereby the need for studies on their possible toxicity and mutagenic properties. The species Coccoloba mollis has been much used in phytotherapy, mainly in cases involving loss of memory and stress. In order to investigate its genotoxic and mutagenic potential, ethanolic extracts from the leaves and roots underwent Salmonella/microsome assaying (TA98 and TA100 strains, with and without exogenous metabolism – S9), besides comet and micronucleus tests in vivo.There was no significant increase in the number of revertants/plate of Salmonella strains in any of the analyzed root-extract concentrations, although the extract itself was extremely toxic to the Salmonella TA98 strain in the tests carried out with S9 (doses varying from 0.005 to 0.5 μg/plate). On the other hand, the leaf-extract induced mutations in the TA98 strain in the absence of S9 in the highest concentration evaluated, although at very low mutagenic potency (0.004 rev/ μg). Furthermore, there was no statistically significant increase in the number of comets and micronuclei, in treatments involving Swiss mice. It was obvious that extracts of Coccoloba mollis, under the described experimental conditions, are not mutagenic

Spinnability and characteristics of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-based bicomponent fibers with a carbon nanotube (CNT) modified polypropylene core for piezoelectric applications

Biodiesel production has received considerable attention in the recent past as a nonpolluting fuel. However, this assertion has been based on its biodegradability and reduction in exhaust emissions. Assessments of water and soil biodiesel pollution are still limited. Spill simulation with biodiesel and their diesel blends in soils were carried out, aiming at analyzing their cytotoxic and genotoxic potentials. While the cytotoxicity observed may be related to diesel contaminants, the genotoxic and mutagenic effects can be ascribed to biodiesel pollutants. Thus, taking into account that our data stressed harmful effects on organisms exposed to biodiesel-polluted soils, the designation of this biofuel as an environmental-friendly fuel should be carefully reviewed to assure environmental quality. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Aspectos sociodemográficos e clínicos de pacientes com doenças falciformes dos centros de referência em Salvador, Bahia

The centralization of care for patients with sickle cell diseases through the creation of reference centers through the Ministry of Health Ordinance No. 1,018/2005, enabled better monitoring of these patients. This study characterized the sociodemographic and clinical profile of patients with sickle cell diseases treated at reference centers in the city of Salvador. Women represented the largest portion of patients registered at the centers and were older and more educated than men. More than 90.0% of patients are single, demonstrating the difficulty of people with sickle cell disease to socialize due to the stigma of the disease. The most common clinical manifestations were pain crises and jaundice, and the most common complications were hospitalizations due to pain crises and blood transfusion. Associations were observed between sex and stroke, between genotype and lower limb ulcers and blood transfusion. A low percentage of patients with osteonecrosis (8.8%) was also observed, indicating possible underreporting. The low percentages of patients who use morphine and hydroxyurea point to the need to expand the offer of these drugs to reduce pain crises and improve the quality of life of patients.La centralización de la atención a los pacientes con anemia falciforme mediante la creación de centros de referencia a través de la Ordenanza del Ministerio de Salud Nº 1.018 / 2005, permitió un mejor seguimiento de estos pacientes. Este estudio caracterizó el perfil sociodemográfico y clínico de los pacientes con drepanocitosis atendidos en centros de referencia de la ciudad de Salvador. Las mujeres representaban la mayor parte de los pacientes registrados en los centros y eran mayores y tenían más educación que los hombres. Más del 90,0% de los pacientes son solteros, lo que demuestra la dificultad de las personas con anemia falciforme para socializar debido al estigma de la enfermedad. Las manifestaciones clínicas más frecuentes fueron crisis de dolor e ictericia, y las complicaciones más frecuentes fueron hospitalizaciones por crisis de dolor y transfusión de sangre. Se observaron asociaciones entre sexo y accidente cerebrovascular, entre genotipo y úlceras de miembros inferiores y transfusión de sangre. También se observó un bajo porcentaje de pacientes con osteonecrosis (8,8%), lo que indica un posible subregistro. Los bajos porcentajes de pacientes que utilizan morfina e hidroxiurea apuntan a la necesidad de ampliar la oferta de estos fármacos para reducir las crisis de dolor y mejorar la calidad de vida de los pacientes.A centralização do atendimento dos pacientes com doenças falciformes através da criação de centros de referência possibilitou um melhor acompanhamento desses pacientes. Este estudo caracterizou o perfil sociodemográfico e clínico dos pacientes com doenças falciformes atendidos nos centros de referência no município de Salvador. Os resultados deste estudo corroboram com a literatura e podem ajudar a melhorar os serviços oferecidos nos centros de referência pesquisados. As mulheres representaram a maior parcela dos pacientes registrados nos centros e com maior faixa etária e escolaridade do que os homens. Mais de 90,0% dos pacientes são solteiros, demonstrando a dificuldade das pessoas com doenças falciformes se socializarem devido ao estigma da doença. As manifestações clínicas mais comuns foram as crises álgicas e a icterícia e as intercorrências mais comuns foram internações devido as crises álgicas e hemotransfusão. Foram observadas associações entre sexo e acidente vascular cerebral, entre o genótipo e úlceras de membros inferiores e hemotransfusão. Também foi observado um percentual baixo de pacientes com osteonecrose indicando possível subnotificação. Os percentuais baixos de pacientes que fazem uso da morfina e hidroxiureia apontam para a necessidade de ampliar a oferta desses medicamentos para diminuir as crises álgicas e melhorar a qualidade de vida dos pacientes