Levels of organochlorine compounds in spotted dolphins from the Coiba archipelago, Panama.

Blubber and skin samples from 63 spotted dolphins (Stenella attenuata) (18 males, 40 females and 5 of unknown sex) were collected by biopsy techniques in the waters of the Coiba archipelago. Blubber was analyzed for organochlorine compounds and skin for gender determination. Mean levels of HCB (hexachlorobenzene), tPCB (polychlorinated biphenyls) and tDDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) were 0.064, 2.30 and 6.4 mgkg(-1), respectively. These levels are low and are not considered to represent a threat to the S. attenuata population. No significant differences either in concentrations of HCB, tPCB and tDDT or in PCB profiles were observed between males and females. The ratio tDDT/tPCB was 2.69, indicating predominantly agrarian versus industrial activities in the area. The ratio ppDDE/tDDT was 0.83, a high figure that suggests both a local reduction of DDT inputs and a high rate of DDT degradation. Significant quantitative and qualitative differences were observed between two schools, suggesting intra-population heterogeneity in organochlorine exposure possibly due to demographic segregation.

Influência do estresse nos níveis sangüíneos de lipídios, de ácido ascórbico, de zinco e de outros parâmetros bioquímicos / Stress' influence on blood levels of lipid, ascorbic acid, zinc and other biochemical parameters

Muitos estudos apontam quanto à possibilidade de que o estresse afete a concentração de lipídeos, de ácido ascórbico, de zinco e de outros parâmetros bioquímicos e que estes elementos devem provocar alterações hormonais e bioquímicas, prejudicando o sistema cardiovascular. Assim, esta pesquisa teve como objetivo verificar o estresse em suas diferentes modalidades: tolerância, tensão, fontes, estado e vulnerabilidade e depois correlacionar as respostas de tais questionários com as alterações bioquímicas propostas em análise. A população examinada foi de 29 pacientes trabalhadores ou estudantes da Universidade federal de Santa Catarina - Brasil. Observou-se que a maioria das pessoas, da comunidade universitária analisada, convive com problemas de estresse e que os indivíduos mais tolerantes ao estresse são os menos vulneráveis. Da mesma forma, foi possível observar que os indivíduos mais tensos foram aqueles com estado de sofrimento ou sofrimento severo. Para correlação das análises bioquímicas o questionário sobre estado de estresse foi o que mais apresentou alterações significativas com os diversos parâmetros bioquímicos analisados. Nesta pesquisa pode-se notar que os problemas de estresse provocam um aumento de colesterol total e LDL-colesterol e uma pequena diminuição da fração HDL-colesterol, cálcio, magnésio, ácido ascórbico e zinco. Contudo, em nenhum dos questionários utilizados observou-se qualquer correlação entre os problemas de estresse e as análises bioquímicas como o fósforo, sódio, potássio e vitamina B12. Conclui-se que os parâmetros bioquímicos são ferramentas importantes na análise do estresse e que este deve acelerar o curso da aterosclerose coronariana.

Organochlorine compounds in common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) from the Atlantic and Mediterranean waters of Spain.

Blubber of free-ranging common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) from the northwestern coast of Spain (Atlantic), sampled in 1984 and 1996, and of common dolphins entangled in fishing nets in the southwestern Mediterranean, sampled during 1992 1994, was analysed for organochlorine pollutants. In the Atlantic, concentration of all pollutants was significantly higher in males than in females. The overall tPCB/tDDT ratio in this area was 3.35, which indicates a predominance of industrial inputs over those associated with agriculture. Individuals sampled in 1996 showed significantly lower DDT concentrations but a higher ppDDE/tDDT ratio than those sampled in 1984, which reflects the aging of the environmental load. In the same period, tPCB concentration remained constant and, as a consequence, the tPCB/tDDT ratio more than doubled. In the Mediterranean, the reduced sample size of adult individuals precluded proper statistical investigation of sex-related variation. The overall tPCB/tDDT ratio was 1.12, suggesting a higher contribution of pollutants of agricultural origin. Individuals had significantly higher levels of all DDT forms and a higher ppDDE/tDDT ratio than their counterparts from the Atlantic, but similar PCB concentrations. However, the relative frequency of the different congeners in relation to the total PCB load was different in the two areas. This indicates that the two populations do not mix, at least in the short- or medium-term. Organochlorine levels in both areas are at the mid to low end of the range of concentrations detected in other common dolphin populations and in that of other Delphinidae species from the same region. Although the impact of the organochlorine concentrations on the common dolphin populations surveyed cannot be assessed, it is considered unlikely that they have played a significant role in the decline that the species has suffered in recent decades in the western Mediterranean.

Toxoplasmose: ocorrência de anticorpos antitoxoplasma gondii e diagnóstico / Toxoplasmosis: occurrence of antibodies antitoxoplama gondii and diagnosis

A toxoplasmose é uma zoonose de ampla distribuiçäo geográfica, sendo uma infecçäo oportunista, principalmente em pacientes com Aids. A incidência dos anticorpos séricos, antiToxoplasma gondii, é variável, sendo crescente com os diferentes grupos etários. Os métodos laboratoriais para o diagnóstico desta doença incluem o exame da espécie patógena e os testes imunológicos. Embora os testes sorológicos tenham suas limitações, säo ainda os mais utilizados nos laboratórios de análises clínicas. Na melhoria do diagnóstico da toxoplasmose congênita e em pacientes com AIDS, tem-se empregado, alternativamente, a reaçäo em cadeia de polimerase (PCR) e Nested-PCR. OBJETIVOS: Enfocar a ocorrência de toxoplasmose, considerando-se as diferentes técnicas e formas de interpretaçäo nos exames sorológicos. MÉTODOS: No presente trabalho, avaliamos os anticorpos (Ac) antiToxoplasma gondii de 2.994 pacientes atendidos no Laboratório do Hospital Universitário (LAC-HU), da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, no período de 28 de fevereiro de 1996 a 28 de julho de 1998. Essa avaliaçäo foi realizada através da utilizaçäo da reaçäo de Imunofluorescência Indireta (IFI) e confirmada pelo método do ensaio imunoenzimático (ELISA). RESULTADOS: Os resultados mostraram que 41,91 por cento desses pacientes possuíam Ac antiToxoplasma gondii, sendo que 0,87 por cento possuíam IgM, em diferentes títulos, estando ou näo desenvolvendo a fase aguda da doença. Este estudo vem demonstrar que a prevalência de toxoplasmose em nosso meio é relativamente alta e que para a identificaçäo do processo agudo da doença, a rotina sorológica pode ser enriquecida de técnicas mais sensíveis e específicas, que permitam a evidenciaçäo do microrganismo, contribuindo para o melhor diagnóstico

[Toxoplasmosis: occurrence of antibodies antitoxoplasma gondii and diagnosis]. / Toxoplasmose: ocorrência de anticorpos antitoxoplasma gondii e diagnóstico.

UNLABELLED: Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis of broad geographic distribution, being an opportunist infection mainly in AIDS patients. The incidence of serum antibodies of the type anti-Toxoplasma gondii is variable and growing according the different age groups. The laboratory test for the diagnostic of this disease, include the exam of the pathologic species as well as immunologic tests. Although the serum tests have limitations, they are still utilized in the Clinical Analysis laboratories. To improve the congenital toxoplasmosis diagnosis in AIDS patients, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Nested-PCR have been utilized alternatively. PURPOSES: To focus the occurrence of toxoplasmosis, considering the different techniques and shapes of point of views in the serological analysis. METHODS: The antibodies (Ac) anti-Toxoplasma gondii of 2994 patients from the Santa Catarina Federal University Hospital, in the period from February 28, 1996 to July 28, 1998 were evaluated. This evaluation was accomplished by the Immunofluorescency Indirect reaction, which was confirmed by the ELISA method. RESULTS: The results showed that 41.91% of the patients had the antibodies anti-Toxoplasma gondii. From this total we concluded that 0.87% of these patients had the IgM in different titles which can be or not classified in the acute phase of the disease. This study demonstrates that the incidence of toxoplasmosis in our orment is relatively high. It shows too that in the identification of the acute process of the disease, the serologic tests can be added to a more sensible and specific techniques that allows the evidentiation of the microorganism thus contributing to a better diagnosis.

Synthesis of antimony complexes of yeast mannan and mannan derivatives and their effect on Leishmania-infected macrophages.

Antimony(Sb)-yeast mannan complexes were synthesized as a strategy to introduce Sb into macrophages infected with Leishmania amastigotes. The complexes were taken up by endocytosis after specific recognition by alpha-D-mannosyl receptors on the macrophage membrane. About 90% of the intracellular parasites were destroyed by Sb-mannan in vitro, whereas the corresponding Sb concentration used as the pentavalent antimonial drug glucantime destroyed about 60% of the amastigotes. None of the Sb complexes prepared with mannan acid or basic derivatives was as effective as the simple Sb-mannan complex in clearing macrophage infection by Leishmania (L) amazonensis. The leishmanicidal effect of Sb-mannan was also demonstrated in vivo with infected hamsters. The alternative use of Sb-mannan complex in the treatment of human leishmaniasis is envisaged on the basis of parasite-killing efficiency and the use of a low antimony dose.