Environmental parameters modulate lead chloride toxicity on Artemia salina

Different environmental conditions can influence the effects of toxic agents on living beings. Recently, a series of experiments performed in Artemia salina submitted to different kinds of intoxication have shown that both, isotherapic and succussed watercan change Artemia salina ́s bio resilience at different levels. Moreover, it seems to vary according to the circalunar cycle. Objective:To verify if circalunar phases and water agitation can modify the toxicity of lead chloride on Artemia salina in vitro. Methodology:Artemia salina cysts were exposed to seawater containing 0.04% of lead chloride (equal to EC10 or 10% effective concentration, previously determined in a pilot study) in 96-well culture plates. Thirty-six experimental repetitions were performed in four series to observe the possible effects of adding stirred water, the so-called succussed water, and the moon phases. The hatched cysts were recorded after 48 hours using a digital microscope (1000x magnification) to identify the hatching percentage and the viability and mobility of the born nauplii. Results:The exposition of cysts to PbCl2 led to an increase in the hatching rate, and it was more evident during the full moon (p = 0.00014) The addition of succussed water into the seawater medium reduced this effect to the baseline levels. An increase in mobility was seen in nauplii born from exposed cysts during the full moon (p = 0.00077), but this effect was not affected by the treatment with succussed water. Discussion:Although the effects of lead chloride EC10 on the increase of nauplii hatching were expected, two environmental variables changed the sensitivity of cysts to this harmful stimulus. The circalunar cycle varied the hatching rate according to the moon phase, even in laboratory conditions, and the addition of succussed water into the medium reduced the hatching rate, even with different intensities according to the moon phase. The organization of nano and microbubbles generated after the succussion of water could be related to this protective effect and can explain, at least partially the effects of high diluted preparations on this biological context. Conclusion:Environmental factors, such as the circalunar cycle and products of water agitation, can modulate the adaptative control of hatching in Artemia salina exposed to lead chloride at EC10.

Mercury chloride toxicity attenuation of the Brine Shrimp Artemia Salinaafter treatment with Mercurius corrosivusas isotherapic

Isotherapics preparedfromtoxic substances have been described as attenuation factors for heavy metal intoxicationin aquatic animals. Herein, Artemia salinaand mercury chloride were usedas a model to identify treatment-related bioresilience. The aim was to describe the effects of Mercurius corrosivus(MC) in different potencies on Artemia salinacyst hatching and on mercury bioavailability. Artemia salinacysts were exposed to 5.0 µg/mL of mercury chloride during the hatching phase. MC6cH, 30cH, and 200cHwere prepared and poured into artificial seawater. Different controls were used (nonchallenged cysts and challenged cysts treated with water, succussed water, and Ethilicum 1cH). Four series of nine experiments were performed for4 weeks to evaluate the percentage of cyst hatchingconsidering all moon phases. Soluble total mercury (THg) levels and precipitated mercury content were also evaluated. Solvatochromic dyes were used to check for eventual physicochemical markers of MCbiological activity. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with mixed modelswas used for evaluating the effect of different treatments andthe simultaneous influence of the moon phases on the cystshatching rate, at both observation times (24 and 48 hours).When necessary, outliers were removed, using the Tukeycriterion.Thelevel of significance αwas set at 5%. Significant delay (p<0.0001) in cyst hatching was observed after treatment with MC30cH, compared with the controls. An increase inTHg concentration in seawater (p<0.0018) and of chlorine/oxygen ratio (p<0.0001) in suspended micro-aggregateswas also seen, with possiblerelation with mercury bioavailability. Specific interaction of MC30cH with the solvatochromic dye ET33 (p<0.0017) was found. The other observed potencies of Mercurius corrosivus6 and 200 cH were not significant in relation to the observed groups.The results werepostulated as being protective effects of MC30cH on Artemia salina, by improving its bioresilience.

Contributions of newborn temperature and height to Apgar index in parturient users of multiple drugs of abuse during pregnancy / Contribuição da temperatura e altura no index Apgar de recém-nascidos de parturientes usuários de múltiplas drogas de abuso durante a gestação

Objective ­ To relate anthropometric data of newborns of drug-using mothers to their children's Apgar score at birth to allow rapid intervention, if necessary. Although the Apgar has become a standard routine in assessing newborns' conditions, other variables could contribute to this index to allow rapid interventions immediately after the delivery of the newborn. Method ­ A group of mother's users of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana and/ or crack-cocaine drugs during pregnancy were selected and scores were given, taking into account the type of drug, number of drugs and their associations. At birth, the anthropometric data and the Apgar index at 1 and 5 min. were evaluated in the newborns. Statistical correlation between maternal score of dependence, the anthropometric newborn data and the Apgar index were performed. Results ­ A high correlation between the Apgar index at 1 min., the maternal score of drug dependence, the newborn's height and temperature was obtained. The coefficient of determination adjusted by Stein's equation of predictors of these variables with confidence intervals of 95% were: 1) height- 36%, 2) temperature ­ 25,7%; 3) maternal dependence -51.2%. Conclusions ­ At delivery, the height and temperature associated to the Apgar index of a newborn from mothers addicted to drugs can predict more intense care soon after birth, avoiding neonatal losses

Objetivo ­ Relacionar dados antropométricos de recém-nascidos de mães usuárias de drogas de abuso e o índice Apgar de seus filhos ao nascimento para permitir rápida intervenção, se necessária. Embora o índice Apgar tenha se tornado um padrão de rotina na avaliação das condições dos recém-nascidos, outras variáveis podem contribuir para esse índice para permitir intervenções rápidas imediatamente após o parto. Métodos ­ Um grupo de mães usuárias de tabaco, álcool, maconha e / ou cocaína crack durante a gravidez foi selecionado e pontuações foram dadas, levando em consideração o tipo de droga, número de drogas e suas associações. Ao nascimento, os dados antropométricos e o índice de Apgar aos 1 e 5 min. foram avaliados nos recém-nascidos. Foi realizada correlação estatística entre o escore materno de dependência, os dados antropométricos do recém-nascido e o índice de Apgar. Resultados ­ Foi observada alta correlação entre o índice de Apgar em 1 minuto, o escore materno da dependência de drogas, a altura e a temperatura do recém-nascido. O coeficiente de determinação ajustado pela equação de Stein de preditores dessas variáveis com intervalos de confiança de 95% foram: 1) altura ­ 36%, 2) temperatura ­ 25,7%; 3) dependência materna ­ 51,2%. Conclusões ­ No momento do parto, a altura e a temperatura associadas ao índice de Apgar de um recém-nascido de mães viciadas em drogas podem predizer cuidados mais intensos logo após o nascimento, evitando perdas neonatais.