A INFLUÊNCIA DOS FATORES INTERNOS NA CAPACIDADE ABSORTIVA DAS PEQUENAS EMPRESAS PERNAMBUCANAS

O objetivo deste estudo é analisar a influência dos fatores internos na Capacidade Absortiva (ACAP) das pequenas e médias empresas pernambucanas participantes do programa ALI (Agentes Locais de Inovação) do SEBRAE. A Capacidade Absortiva (ACAP) foi mensurada pelo Grau de Inovação Setorial (GIS) calculado a partir do Radar da Inovação. Para analisar a variação na ACAP foram comparados os índices do GIS antes e após a implementação das ações propostas pelos ALIs. O framework utilizado para analisar a influência dos fatores internos foi operacionalizado pelo modelo DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis). O Capital Social (SOC) apresentou fraca correlação positiva com a Capacidade Absortiva (ACAP). O Capital Empreendedor (EMC) também apresentou fraca correlação positiva com a ACAP no subgrupo das empresas com os menores índices iniciais de inovação. Os resultados também indicaram que as empresas inicialmente pouco dedicadas à inovação tiveram melhor Capacidade Absortiva (ACAP).

Cashew nut roasting: chemical characterization of particulate matter\ud and genotocixity analysis

Background: Particulate matter (PM) potentially harmful to health and related to genotoxic events, an increase in the number of hospitalizations and mortality from respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.\ud The present study conducted the first characterization of elemental composition and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) analysis of PM, as well as the biomonitoring of genotoxic activity associated to artesanal cashew nut roasting, an importante economic and social activity worldwide.\ud Methods: The levels of PM2.5 and black carbon were also measured by gravimetric analysis and light reflectance. The elementa lcomposition was determined using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and PAH analysis was carried out by gás chromatography–mass spectrometry. Genotoxic activity was measured by the Tradescantia pallida micronucleus bioassay (Trad-MCN).Other biomarkers of DNA damage, such as núcleoplasmic bridges and nuclear fragments, were also quantified. Results: The mean amount of PM2.5 accumulated in the filters (January 2124.2 mg/m3; May 1022.2 mg/m3;\ud September 1291.9 mg/m3), black carbon(January 363.6 mg/m3; May70 mg/m3; September 69.4 mg/m3) and concentrations of Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca ,Ti,Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Br and Pb were significantly higher than the non-exposed area. Biomass burning tracers K,Cl, and S were the major inorganic compounds found. Benzo[k]fluoranthene, indene[1,2,3-c,d]pyrene, benzo[ghi]perylene, phenanthrene and benzo[b]fluor-\ud anthene were the most abundant PAHs. Mean benzo[a]pyrene-equivalent carcinogenic power values showed a significant câncer risk. The Trad-MCN bioassay revealed an increase in micronucleus frequency, 2–7 times higher than the negative control and significantly higher in all the months analyzed, possibly related to the mutagenic PAHs found.\ud Conclusions: This study demonstrated that artesanal cashew nut roasting is a serious occupational problem, with harmful effects on workers' health. Those involved in this activity are exposed to higher PM2.5 concentrations and to 12 PAHs considered potentially mutagenic and/or carcinogenic. The Trad-MCN with T. pallida was sensitive and efficient in evaluating the genotoxicity of the components and other nuclear alterations may be used as effective biomarkers of DNA damage.CNPq - 555223/2006-

Caracterização do material particulado e avaliação do risco ocupacional e mecanismos moleculares associados à queima artesanal da castanha de caju

Brazil is among the largest cashew nut producers of the world. However, the roasting process is still carried out artisanally, especially in the Brazilian semiarid region. In face of this occupational problem, the aim of this study was to perform a physical-chemical characterization of the particulate matter (PM) emitted by the roasting of cashew nuts, as well as to determine the occupational risk and molecular mechanisms associated. The most evident PM characteristics were the prevalence of fine particles, typical biomass burning morphologies such as tar ball and the presence of the elements K, Cl, S, Ca and Fe. In addition, atmospheric modeling analyses suggest that these particles can reach neighboring regions of the emission source. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with carcinogenic potential, such as benzo[a]pyrene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene, benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, chrysene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, indeno[1,2,3-c,d]pyrene and benzo[j]fluoranthene were the most abundant PAHs found in the two air monitoring campaigns. Among the identified oxy-PAH the benzanthrone (7H-benz[d,e]anthracen-7-one) had the highest concentration and the evaluation of lifetime cancer risk showed an increase of 12 to 37 cases of cancer for every 10,000 exposed people. Chemical analysis of roasted cashew nuts identified the PAHs: phenanthrene, benzo[g,h,i]perylene, pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene, besides the 3-pentadecilfenol allergen (urushiol analogue) as prevalent. Occupational exposure to PAHs was confirmed by the increase of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene levels and genotoxic effects were evidenced by the increase on micronuclei and nuclear bud frequency in exfoliated buccal mucosa cells among the exposed workers. Other biomarkers of effects such as karyorrhexis, pyknotic, karyolytic, condensed chromatin and binucleated cells also have their frequencies increased when compared to an unexposed control group. The investigation of the molecular mechanisms associated with the PM organic extract showed cytotoxicity in human lung cell lines (A549) at concentrations ≥ 4 nM BaPeq. Using non-cytotoxic doses the extract was able to activate proteins involved in the DNA damage response pathway (Chk1 and p53). Moreover, the specific contribution of the four most representative PAHs in the cashew nut roasting sample showed that benzo[a]pyrene was the most efficient to activate Chk1 and p53. Finally, the organic extract was able to increase persistently the mRNA expression involved in the PAHs metabolism (CYP1A1 and CYP1B1), inflammatory response (IL-8 and TNF-α) and cell cycle arrest (CDKN1A) for DNA repair (DDB2). The high PM concentrations and its biological effects associated warn of the serious harmful effects of artisanal cashew nut roasting and urgent actions should be taken to the sustainable development of this activity.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)O Brasil configura entre os maiores produtores de castanha de caju do mundo. Contudo a queima da castanha ainda é realizada de forma artesanal, sobretudo no semiárido brasileiro. Diante disto, o objetivo deste estudo foi realizar uma caracterização físico-química do material particulado (MP) emitido pela queima artesanal da castanha de caju, assim como determinar o risco ocupacional e mecanismos moleculares associados. As características mais evidentes do MP foram a prevalência de partículas finas, morfologias típicas da queima de biomassa, como as "tar ball" e os elementos K, Cl, S, Ca e Fe. Além disso, análises de modelagem atmosférica sugerem que essas partículas podem atingir regiões distantes da fonte de emissão. Os hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos (HPAs) com potencial carcinogênico, tais como: benzo(a)pireno, dibenzo(a,h)antraceno, benzo(a)antraceno, benzo(b)fluoranteno, criseno, benzo(k)fluoranteno, indeno(1,2,3,-c,d)pireno e benzo(j)fluoranteno foram os mais abundantes nas duas campanhas de monitoramento do ar. Dentre os oxi-HPAs, a benzantrona (7H-benzo(d,e)antraceno-7-ona) teve a maior concentração e a avaliação do risco de câncer de pulmão indicou um aumento de 12 a 37 casos de câncer a cada 10.000 pessoas expostas. A análise química da casca torrada da castanha identificou os HPAs: fenantreno, benzo(g,h,i)perileno, pireno e benzo(a)pireno, além do alérgeno 3-pentadecilfenol, análogo do urushiol, como prevalecentes. A exposição ocupacional aos HPAs foi confirmada pelo aumento dos níveis urinários de 1-hidroxipireno, assim como a genotoxicidade foi evidenciada pelo aumento de micronúcleos e broto nuclear em células da mucosa oral, nos trabalhadores expostos. Outros biomarcadores de efeito, tais como cariólise, cariorréxis, picnose, e células binucleadas também tiveram a sua frequência aumentada quando comparado com um grupo controle não exposto. A investigação dos mecanismos moleculares associados ao extrato orgânico do MP mostrou citotoxicidade em células do pulmão humano (A549) em concentrações ≥ 4 nM BaPeq. Utilizando doses não citotóxicas o extrato foi capaz de ativar proteínas envolvidas na via de resposta ao dano no DNA (Chk1 e p53). Além disso, foi verificado a contribuição específica dos quatro HPAs mais representativos na amostra de queima da castanha de caju e o benzo(a)pireno foi o HPA mais eficiente na ativação de Chk1 e p53. Por fim, o extrato orgânico foi capaz de aumentar de forma persistente a expressão de mRNAs envolvidos na metabolização dos HPAs (CYP1A1 e CYP1B1), bem como resposta inflamatória (IL-8 e TNF-α) e parada no ciclo celular (CDKN1A) para reparo no DNA (DDB2). As altas concentrações de MP e os seus efeitos biológicos associados alertam para os graves efeitos nocivos da queima artesanal da castanha de caju e medidas urgentes devem ser tomadas para o desenvolvimento sustentável da atividade

In vitro cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of single and combined pesticides used by Bolivian farmers

We previously showed that farmers in Bolivia are exposed to many pesticides, some at elevated levels, and that this was associated with increased risk of genetic damage. To improve the understanding of possible mixture effects, the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of pesticides were studied in vitro using human liver HepG2 cells. The studied pesticides were 2,4-D, chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin, glyphosate, methamidophos, paraquat, profenofos, and tebuconazole. Three mixtures (U1, U2, and U3) were based on profiles of urinary pesticide metabolites and one mixture on the most frequently used pesticides (S1). The results showed that paraquat and methamidophos were the most cytotoxic pesticides (EC50 <= 0.3 mM). Paraquat, chlorpyrifos, tebuconazole, and the U1, U2, and U3 mixtures, which contained a large proportion of either chlorpyrifos or tebuconazole, significantly increased intracellular ROS levels. Most pesticides activated DNA damage signaling through proteins Chk1 and H2AX. Strongest responses were elicited by paraquat, profenofos, chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin, and the S1 mixture, which contained 25% paraquat. Comet assay revealed significant increases of DNA damage in response to paraquat, cypermethrin, and U2 and S1 mixtures, which contained high levels of cypermethrin and paraquat, respectively. In summary, we showed that the tested pesticides, alone or in mixtures, in general induced oxidative stress and that most pesticides, and especially paraquat and cypermethrin, were genotoxic in HepG2 cells. We could also show that mixtures dominated by these two pesticides displayed a marked genotoxic potency, which agreed with our previous population studies