ABSTRACT
The spatial distribution of As (total As, As (III) and As (V)) in estuarine sediments from the main tributaries of Todos os Santos Bay, BA, Brazil, was evaluated under high and low flow conditions. The concentrations of As were determined using a slurry sampling procedure with hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HG-AAS). The highest concentrations were observed at estuary mouths, and exceeded conservative lower threshold value (Threshold Effects Level; TEL). Due to the oxic conditions and abundance of Mn and Fe (oxyhydr)oxides in the sediments, most inorganic arsenic in the Subaé and Paraguaçu estuaries was present as As (V). Nevertheless, the concentration of As (III) at several locations along the Jaguaripe River were also above the TEL value, suggesting that As may be toxic to biota. In the Subaé estuary, antropogenic activities are the main source of As. At the Jaguaripe and at Paraguaçu estuaries, nevertheless, natural sources of As need to be considered to explain the distribution patterns.
Subject(s)
Arsenic/analysis , Geologic Sediments/chemistry , Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis , Atlantic Ocean , Brazil , Environmental Monitoring , Fresh Water/chemistry , Seawater/chemistryABSTRACT
The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, p27, has been shown to mediate cell growth arrest thereby significantly reducing the percentage of proliferating cells. It seems that p27 expression is essential for the control of normal endometrial proliferation, and reduced or absent p27 expression may be an important step in endometrial carcinogenesis. Our aim was to demonstrate the effects of tamoxifen therapy on the expression of p27 protein in the endometrium of postmenopausal breast cancer patients. Fifty-three pre- and post-tamoxifen treatment endometrium samples were examined immunohistochemically using p27 antibody. Tamoxifen therapy (20 mg/day) for 60 days increased the expression of p27 protein in the endometrium of postmenopausal breast cancer patients. We conclude that tamoxifen therapy does not seem to be directly involved in the carcinogenesis of endometrial carcinoma since the expression of p27 is not decreased.
