ABSTRACT
The use of organic Ultraviolet (UV) filters has increased in the last years, either in sunscreens, other cosmetics, or even food packaging. These filters may end up in soil and water since the Wastewater Treatment Plants may not successfully remove them. Among them, benzophenones are known to act as endocrine disruptors. However, most of the studies are directed towards vertebrates and aquatic invertebrates, while there is a lack of information on the molecular mechanisms affected by these compounds on soil dwelling invertebrates. Here, we study the impact of direct acute (48â¯h) contact of 4-hydroxybenzophenone (4-OHBP) at two sublethal concentrations (0.02 and 0.2â¯mg/mL) on gene expression of the earthworm Eisenia fetida. Investigated genes were involved in endocrine pathways, stress response, detoxification mechanisms, genotoxicity, energy metabolism and epigenetics. Three of them were identified for the first time in earthworms. Our results suggest that exposure to 4-OHBP affected endocrine pathways, causing an increase in the Ecdysone receptor gene (EcR) expression. Moreover, the UV filter induced changes in the CuZn superoxide dismutase gene (CuZn SOD), indicating an effect in the stress response. Finally, significant changes were detected for glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene (GAPDH) expression, indicating that energy metabolism is influenced by the 4-OHBP and highlighting the risks of using GAPDH as an internal reference for Real Time PCR.
Subject(s)
Endocrine Disruptors/toxicity , Oligochaeta/physiology , Sunscreening Agents/toxicity , Animals , Endocrine System/drug effects , Receptors, Steroid/metabolism , Superoxide Dismutase/metabolismABSTRACT
AIMS: To report the findings in the first year of follow-up of the Cantabrian Program to screen newborn babies for congenital permanent hearing loss. METHODS: The study population consisted of infants born during a year period in Cantabria (Spain). Universal hearing screening by transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) in 2 stage protocol was performed. Infants with failure scores in these 2 stages and those with risk factors for hearing loss were referred for diagnostic evaluation with auditory brainstem response. Hearing aids were recommended for those infants who had bilateral hearing loss and referrals to infant speech and language rehabilitation. RESULTS: Out of the 4117 eligible babies, 3987 were studied. One hundred and ten (2.6) had risk factors for hearing loss, 3.5% were referred for audiological assessment and 1.2/1000 were diagnosed as having a permanent hearing loss. The false-positive rate was 0.72% after the two-stage screening procedure was performed. Positive predictive value for permanent hearing loss was 10%. CONCLUSIONS: During the first year working with the Cantabrian Screening Program for congenital permanent hearing loss in newborn babies, the most part of the proposed aims have been achieved.
Subject(s)
Hearing Loss/diagnosis , Neonatal Screening , Program Evaluation , Age Factors , Hearing Loss/epidemiology , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Italy , Risk Factors , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Objetivos: Evaluar los hallazgos obtenidos en el primer año de funcionamiento del Programa Cántabro para la Detección Precoz de la Hipoacusia Neonatal. Métodos: El ámbito de estudio incluyó a todos los recién nacidos en la Comunidad Autónoma de Cantabria (España) entre el 1 de abril de 2001 y 31 de marzo de 2002. El programa se dividió en 4 fases; las 3 primeras son las que se incluyen en este estudio: fase de screening con otoemisiones acústicas automatizadas (OAE), fase de diagnóstico con potenciales evocados auditivos (neonatos con OAE negativas y/o factores de riesgo de hipoacusia) y fase de tratamiento (adaptación de prótesis auditivas y rehabilitación logopédica). Resultados: Durante el periodo de estudio nacieron 4.117 niños, de los que 110 (2,6%) tenían factores de riesgo. Un 0,8 por ciento de los neonatos sin factores de riesgo y un 3,5 por ciento del total de los incluidos en el programa fueron remitidos a la fase de diagnóstico. 3.987 niños (96,8%) completaron el estudio. La incidencia de hipoacusia permanente fue de 1.2/1000. El valor predictivo positivo en los neonatos sin factores de riesgo fue del 10% y el porcentaje de falsos positivos respecto a la población sometida a screening del 0,72%. Conclusiones: En el primer año de funcionamiento del Programa Cántabro de Detección Precoz de la Hipoacusia Infantil se han cumplido la mayor parte de los objetivos de calidad propuestos (AU)
AIMS: To report the findings in the first year of follow-up of the Cantabrian Program to screen newborn babies for congenital permanent hearing loss. METHODS: The study population consisted of infants born during a year period in Cantabria (Spain). Universal hearing screening by transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) in 2 stage protocol was performed. Infants with failure scores in these 2 stages and those with risk factors for hearing loss were referred for diagnostic evaluation with auditory brainstem response. Hearing aids were recommended for those infants who had bilateral hearing loss and referrals to infant speech and language rehabilitation. RESULTS: Out of the 4117 eligible babies, 3987 were studied. One hundred and ten (2.6) had risk factors for hearing loss, 3.5% were referred for audiological assessment and 1.2/1000 were diagnosed as having a permanent hearing loss. The false-positive rate was 0.72% after the two-stage screening procedure was performed. Positive predictive value for permanent hearing loss was 10%. CONCLUSIONS: During the first year working with the Cantabrian Screening Program for congenital permanent hearing loss in newborn babies, the most part of the proposed aims have been achieved (AU)
