Soil-plant system and potential human health risk of Chinese cabbage and oregano growing in soils from Mn- and Fe-abandoned mines: microcosm assay.

In Portugal, many abandoned mines are often close to agricultural areas and might be used for plant food cultivation. Soils in the vicinity of two Mn- and Fe-abandoned mines (Ferragudo and Rosalgar, SW of Portugal) were collected to cultivate two different food species (Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis (Lour.) Hanelt and Origanum vulgare L.). Chemical characterization of the soil-plant system and potential risk of adverse effects for human health posed by plants associated with soil contamination, based on the estimation of hazard quotient (HQ), were assessed in a microcosm assay under greenhouse conditions. In both soils, the average total concentrations of Fe and Mn were above the normal values for soils in the region and their concentration in shoots of both species was very high. Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis grew better in Ferragudo than in Rosalgar soils, and it behaved as an excluder of Cu, Mn, Fe, S and Zn in both soils. The HQ for Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn in the studied species grown on both soils was lower than unit indicating that its consumption is safe. The high Mn tolerance found in both species might be due in part to the high contents of Fe in the soil available fraction that might contribute to an antagonism effect in the uptake and translocation of Mn. The obtained results emphasize the need of further studies with different food crops before cultivation in the studied soils to assess health risks associated with high metal intake.

The land morphology approach to flood risk mapping: An application to Portugal.

In the last decades, the increasing vulnerability of floodplains is linked to societal changes such as population density growth, land use changes, water use patterns, among other factors. Land morphology directly influences surface water flow, transport of sediments, soil genesis, local climate and vegetation distribution. Therefore, the land morphology, the land used and management directly influences flood risks genesis. However, attention is not always given to the underlying geomorphological and ecological processes that influence the dynamic of rivers and their floodplains. Floodplains are considered a part of a larger system called Wet System (WS). The WS includes permanent and temporary streams, water bodies, wetlands and valley bottoms. Valley bottom is a broad concept which comprehends not only floodplains but also flat and concave areas, contiguous to streams, in which slope is less than 5%. This will be addressed through a consistent method based on a land morphology approach that classifies landforms according to their hydrological position in the watershed. This method is based on flat areas (slopes less than 5%), surface curvature and hydrological features. The comparison between WS and flood risk data from the Portuguese Environmental Agency for the main rivers of mainland Portugal showed that in downstream areas of watersheds, valley bottoms are coincident with floodplains modelled by hydrological methods. Mapping WS has a particular interest in analysing river ecosystems position and function in the landscape, from upstream to downstream areas in the watershed. This morphological approach is less demanding data and time-consuming than hydrological methods and can be used as the preliminary delimitation of floodplains and potential flood risk areas in situations where there is no hydrological data available. The results were also compared with the land use/cover map at a national level and detailed in Trancão river basin, located in Lisbon metropolitan area, an urbanized basin that suffered heavy flooding in the last decades. This study also contributes to a better understanding of the basin morphology at a local-scale and the effects of soil sealing in downstream flood risks. This work will contribute to the understanding of the morphology, ecology and land use of watersheds that could be used to reduce runoff and downstream flood risk. This can be accomplished by using natural water retention and infiltration methods or higher-level based planning instead of a reaction to local decisions on flood hazards. This morphological approach to map landforms, including wet system, is a valuable tool to assist policy makers and planners in flood risk and land use management, floodplain restoration, agricultural land management practices, and location of human activities according to ecological suitability.

Uranium in vegetable foodstuffs: should residents near the Cunha Baixa uranium mine site (Central Northern Portugal) be concerned?

Large uranium accumulations in vegetable foodstuffs may present risks of human health if they are consumed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the uranium concentrations in different vegetable foodstuffs and grown in agricultural soils, which are then consumed by the residents of the village of Cunha Baixa (Portugal),--located in an former uranium mining area. This study was conducted to address concerns expressed by the local farmers as well as to provide data for uranium-related health risk assessments for the area. Soils, irrigation water and edible tissues of lettuce, potato, green bean, carrot, cabbage, apple and maize (Latuca sativa L., Solanum tuberosum L., Phaseolus vulgaris L., Daucus carota L., Brassica oleracea L., Malus domestica Borkh, Zea mays L., respectively) were sampled and uranium determined. High uranium concentrations were found in some soils (U(total) > 50 mg/kg), in irrigation waters (218 to 1,035 µg/l) and in some vegetable foodstuffs (up to 234, 110, 30, 26, 22, 16 and 1.6 µg/kg fresh weight for lettuce, potato with peel, green bean pods, cabbage, corn, carrot and apple, respectively). However, the results of the toxicity hazard analysis were reassuring the estimated level of uranium exposure through the ingestion of these vegetable foodstuffs was low, suggesting no chemical health risk (hazard quotient <1) to this uranium exposure pathway for a local residents during their lifetime, even for the most sensitive part of the population (child).

Transfer of U, Al and Mn in the water-soil-plant (Solanum tuberosum L.) system near a former uranium mining area (Cunha Baixa, Portugal) and implications to human health.

Knowledge about metals in crops, grown in contaminated soils around mine sites, is limited and concerns about exposure to hazardous elements through the consumption of contaminated foodstuff, are high. In this study a field experiment was carried out in two agricultural soils located near a former uranium mine area (Cunha Baixa, Portugal). The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of irrigation water quality on soil-potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) crop system and to evaluate if the consumption of the crop represents health risk to the local villagers. The soils were divided in two plots: one irrigated with contaminated water (U: 1.03-1.04mg/L; Al: 7.5-8.00mg/L; Mn: 4.52mg/L) and the other with uncontaminated water (U: 14-10µg/L; Al: 17-23µg/L; Mn: 2.4-5.7µg/L). After irrigation and potato growth, only soil characteristics, as salinity and total U and Mn concentrations were significantly different from those measured at the beginning of the experiment. Within the potato plants, elements were mostly translocated and concentrated in the aerial part: stems and leaves (U: 73-87%; Al: 85-96%; Mn: 85-94%), which minimize the risk of contamination of the edible tissue. In potato tubers, the highest average concentrations (121-590µg U/kg; 25-64mg Al/kg; 12-13mg Mn/kg dry weight) were registered at soil plots irrigated with contaminated water. Uranium and Al were mostly concentrated in the potato peel (88-96 and 76-85%, respectively), and Mn (67-78%) in the pulp, which reinforces the importance of removing peel to minimize human exposure. The risk analysis calculated for non-cancer health effects (hazard quotient), related only to the exposure through the consumption of this basic foodstuff, revealed safety for Cunha Baixa village residents (adults and children) even when potato crop was grown on U enriched soils and irrigated with contaminated water.

Are uranium-contaminated soil and irrigation water a risk for human vegetables consumers? A study case with Solanum tuberosum L., Phaseolus vulgaris L. and Lactuca sativa L.

The knowledge of uranium concentration, in the products entering the human diet is of extreme importance because of their chemical hazard to health. Controlled field experiments with potatoes, beans and lettuce (Solanum tuberosum L., Phaseolus vulgaris L. and Lactuca sativa L.) were carried out in a contaminated soil used by local farmers located near a closed Portuguese uranium mine (Cunha Baixa, Mangualde). The soil with high average uranium levels (64-252 mg/kg) was divided in two plots, and irrigated with non-contaminated and uranium-contaminated water (<20 and >900 microg/L). Uranium maximum average concentration in the edible vegetables parts (mg/kg fresh weight) ranged in the following order: lettuce (234 microg/kg) > green bean (30 microg/kg) > potatoes without peel (4 microg/kg). Although uranium in soil, irrigation water and vegetables was high, the assessment of the health risk based on hazard quotient indicates that consumption of these vegetables does not represent potential adverse (no carcinogenic) effects for a local inhabitant during lifetime.

Topical verapamil and episcleral venous pressure.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of a single-dose and 2-week administration of topical 0.25% verapamil on episcleral venous pressure (EVP) and intraocular pressure (IOP). DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, double-masked, crossover, and placebo-controlled study. PARTICIPANTS: One eye of each of 20 normal subjects received topical verapamil or placebo. INTERVENTION: The EVP was measured using a pressure chamber episcleral venomanometer. The IOP, EVP, heart rate (HR), and blood pressure (BP) were measured at baseline, 1.5 hours after a single drop, and after 2-week, three-times-a-day topical administration of 0.25% verapamil or placebo to one eye. After a 4-week washout period, the treatment to the study eye was reversed, and measurements of EVP, IOP, HR, and BP were repeated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The EVP, IOP, HR, and BP were measured. RESULTS: Ninety minutes after a single drop, the EVP in the verapamil-treated eyes was reduced by 4.8% (P = <0.001) and in the untreated fellow eyes by 2.4% (P = 0.032). After 2-week topical administration, the EVP was reduced by 9.5% (P = <0.0001) in the verapamil-treated eyes and by 4.8% (P = 0.001) in the fellow eyes. The EVP was unchanged in the treated and fellow eyes after a single drop or after a 2-week treatment with placebo. Ninety minutes after topical administration of 0.25% verapamil, the IOP decreased by 7.7% (P = <0.0001) in the treated eyes and decreased by 3.6% (P = 0.03) in the fellow eyes. After a 2-week administration of topical verapamil, the IOP decreased by 12% (P = 0.0001) in the treated eyes and by 7.2% (P = 0.0289) in the fellow eyes. The changes of IOP in the placebo-treated and fellow eyes were not statistically significant after a single-dose and 2-week administration. After topical administration of verapamil, a contralateral effect on IOP and EVP was observed in the fellow, untreated eye. No systemic effect on HR or BP was detected after a single-dose administration of topical verapamil. There were, however, significant reductions in HR and BP after a 2-week treatment with topical 0.25% verapamil. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that a single drop and a 2-week administration of topical 0.25% verapamil decrease IOP and EVP significantly, with more pronounced reduction after a 2-week treatment than after a single-dose treatment.

Effects of short term increase of intraocular pressure on optic disc cupping.

AIMS: To evaluate the effect of acute elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) on optic disc cupping. METHODS: 10 emmetropic and 10 myopic volunteers were included in this study. The cup area (CA) and cup volume (CV) of the optic disc were determined with the Heidelberg retina tomograph (HRT). After baseline determinations, a suction cup was used to increase the intraocular pressure (IOP) to 20-25 mm Hg above the baseline and HRT images were obtained. RESULTS: Baseline IOP was 13.5 (SD 1.3) nim Hg and 12.6 (2.6) mm Hg in the emmetropic and myopic groups, respectively. The IOP was elevated to 35.4 (3.3) mm Hg and 34.4 (2.5) mm Hg in the emmetropic and myopic groups, respectively. When compared with their baseline values, the cupping variables (CA and CV) were significantly increased (p < 0.05) during the suction treatment in both emmetropic and myopic subjects. CONCLUSION: There was a significant enlargement in the optic disc cupping during the artificial increment of intraocular pressure in both emmetropic and myopic eyes. In non-glaucomatous eyes the optic nerve head has a partially dynamic topography dependent upon the level of IOP.

Effect of topical anti-inflammatory treatment on the long-term outcome of laser trabeculoplasty. Fluorometholone-Laser Trabeculoplasty Study Group.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of anti-inflammatory treatment on the long-term outcome of argon laser trabeculoplasty, we extended the short-term study of the Fluorometholone-Laser Trabeculoplasty Study Group. METHODS: Among the chronic open-angle glaucoma patients randomly assigned to the 0.25% fluorometholone or placebo eyedrops four times daily before and after argon laser trabeculoplasty in the Fluorometholone-Laser Trabeculoplasty Study, the long-term records of 27 patients (13 eyes in the fluorometholone group and 14 eyes in the placebo group) were available for our review and analysis. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in the success rate of argon laser trabeculoplasty between the fluorometholone and control groups over the follow-up period of 4.6 +/- 3.4 years. CONCLUSION: While it decreased ocular inflammation and discomfort during the early postoperative period, peri-argon laser trabeculoplasty use of a topical corticosteroid did not influence the long-term intraocular pressure outcome of argon laser trabeculoplasty.

Age-related changes in the volume of somata and organelles of cerebellar granule cells.

Because cerebellar granule cells are fixed post-mitotic cells, it is expected that they undergo age-related changes like other neurons. To examine this possibility, a stereological study on granule cells of rat neocerebellar cortex was performed for an age spectrum of 2 to 24 months using eight different age groups. The nucleator method, together with point and intersection counting, was used to obtain primary data; arithmetical calculations determined the secondary data. In the soma, the absolute surface area did not change significantly; the volume did, however, exhibit a significant negative linear trend with age. Excluding dense bodies, the absolute volumes of the cytoplasmic components did not vary significantly. The absolute volume of dense bodies displayed a significant positive linear trend with age. Significant positive correlations were detected between the somatic volume and the absolute volume of either mitochondria or ground substance. It was concluded that granule cells showed a fair degree of morphological stability through 18 months. However, the observed changes warn that accompanying physiological alterations may occur, with putative effects on motor coordination.

Diode laser-pumped, frequency-doubled neodymium: YAG laser peripheral iridotomy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The solid-state, continuous-wave, frequency-doubled neodymium: yttrrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser pumped by a diode laser has several advantages, including air cooling, higher electrical to optical efficiency ratios, portability, and the use of standard 110-V AC electrical service. The authors wanted to evaluate the use of the frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser for peripheral iridotomy and to compare the tissue interactions of this laser with those of the argon laser. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The authors developed a diode laser-pumped, solid-state, and portable frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser with a wavelength of 532 nm. The effects of peripheral iridotomy with the frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser and the argon laser were evaluated in pig eyes in vitro and in rabbit eyes in vivo. Specimens were prepared for light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: The frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser successfully created patent iridotomies in all animal eyes treated. The following parameters were used to create penetrating burns: duration of 0.1 second, spot size of 100 microns, and power of 500 mW. In rabbit eyes, the mean number of pulses (P = .16) and the total energy required (P = .21) for iridotomy were not significantly different for the argon laser compared with the frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser. Gross and histologic evaluation showed similar thermal effects in iris tissues for both the frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser and the argon laser. The mean zone of thermal damage was 178 +/- 19 microns for the frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser and 163 +/- 24 microns for the argon laser (P = .14). Scanning electron microscopy showed less disruption of the surface of the lesion for the frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser compared with the argon laser. CONCLUSIONS: Successful peripheral iridotomy can be performed with the frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser. Coagulative effects with the frequency-doubled Nd:YAG were similar to those with the argon laser, and the thermal damage zones were comparable in size.

A stereological study on the nuclear volume of cerebellar granule cells in aging rats.

A morphometric study on age changes of rat cerebellar cortex (Crus I and Crus II) was carried out. The nuclear volume of the granule cells was estimated by means of two unbiased stereological methods: the nucleator, which enabled the estimation of the number-weighted mean volume (VN), and the point-sampled intercepts method, allowing the determination of the volume-weighted mean volume (VV). These parameters enabled the estimation of the coefficient of variation of nuclear volume in the number-weighted distribution [CV(VN)]. All parameters were determined in eight age groups (2, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24 months--five animals per age) and the mean values of each age group were compared using one-way ANOVA with post hoc comparisons, and regression analysis. It was demonstrated for the first time, using unbiased techniques, that the nucleus of granule cells of the cerebellar cortex showed a significant decrease in its mean volumes (VV) with age, especially from 21 months onwards. Although CV(VN) was not correlated with age, it was also demonstrated that these cells bear a considerable nuclear size pleomorphy that was maintained throughout the age spectrum.

Do microglia arise from pericytes? An ultrastructural and distribution study in the rat cerebellar cortex.

Both pericytes and microglia are dark cells that may present similar ultrastructure as well as organization of the rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae; in addition, images that suggest pericytes being released from the basal lamina compartment, some of them looking like forms of perivascular microglia, may be found. Anatomical articulations between pericytes and microglia are observed. A distribution analysis reveals that, in the considered five neocerebellar cortical strata, the percentage of pericytes preponderates over the percentage of microglia; furthermore, there is a highly statistically significant linear trend between the percentages of pericytes and of microglia in connection with their distribution along the cortical strata. This study suggests that, in rat cerebellar cortex, microglia may arise from pericytes. It is also hypothesized that astroglia have an active role in releasing pericytes from the vascular wall.

Age changes in cerebellar oligodendrocytes: the appearance of nuclear filaments and increase in the volume density of the nucleus and in the number of dark cell forms.

A qualitative and quantitative ultrastructural study (volume density of the nucleus and cell countings) on age-related changes occurring in neocerebellar oligodendrocytes of the granular layer was carried out in female albino rats aged 2-24 months. Taking into account the cytological features, two types of oligodendrocytes could be discerned, designated as Type I and Type II. Observations showed that, from 18 months onwards, the appearance of bundles of nuclear filaments running throughout the euchromatin areas are common occurrence in Type II oligodendrocytes. The lowest and highest mean volume density of the nucleus is achieved, respectively, at 2 months (50.67%) and at 21 months (64.93%); the analysis of variance of the parameter with ageing displays a most statistically significant result. There is also a positive and linear correlation between the volume density and age. The percentage of Type I oligodendrocytes (out of the total of counted oligodendrocytes) predominates from 2 to 15 months; after being even at 18 months, the percentage of Type II oligodendrocytes preponderates at 21 and 24 months. Although oligodendrocytes are capable of undergoing mitosis, it is concluded that they are prone to morphological changes with ageing, a warning that the physiology of oligodendrocytes may be eventually affected.

Um novo meio e técnica de diafanizaçäo / Anatomical technique

Os autores propöem uma nova técnica de diafanizaçäo de execuçäo rápida e simples, à custa de uma mistura de hidrato de cloral, álcool polivinílico (Rhodoviol) e ácido láctico. Além da rapidez e simplicidade da técnica, os produtos químicos utilizados säo praticamente atóxicos e desprovidos de cheiro ativo e desagradável

Heterogeneity and death of Purkinje cells of rat neocerebellum (Crus I and Crus II): hypothetic mechanisms based on qualitative and quantitative microscopical data.

The morphological changes that take place with ageing in the soma of what we call clear Purkinje cells (CP cells) are examined by light and electron microscopy. Besides the very obvious lipofuscin accumulation, another kind of space consuming structures become greater in number and complexity, i.e., the occurrence of very pleomorphic degenerating focal zones. Apart from CP cells, dark Purkinje cells (DP cells) indeed appear in increasing numbers with ageing; one subtype (DP-1 cells) has medium dark density revealing dumbbell-shaped mitochondria, ring-shaped Golgi apparatus and lamellated bodies; the other subtype (DP-2 cells) has very dark density presenting pycnotic nuclei with complete nucleolar regression and degenerating mitochondria, but with well developed Nissl bodies and Golgi apparatus. The possibility of DP cells not being technical artifacts is discussed. Quantitative studies are also carried out in Purkinje cell somata: mean volume, surface-to-volume ratio, absolute volume occupied with lipofuscin dense bodies as well as the linear density (number per mm) and percentage of CP and DP cells out of the total population of Purkinje cells. Statistically significant linear trends with age are found for absolute volume of lipofuscin in CP cells and for the linear densities and percentages of either CP or DP cells. The concatenation of qualitative and quantitative data suggests that Purkinje cells of Crus I and Crus II undergo an age-related fall-out. Some clear Purkinje cells may become DP-1 cells and others DP-2 cells. The former reveal signs of slow cellular damage; the latter are suggestively very damaged or even dead cells probably on account of having exceeded the critical threshold of the surface-to-volume ratio leading to asphyxia; indeed, their stout structure does not match slow damage.

Quantitative age-related changes on nuclear invaginations of neocerebellar Purkinje cells.

The aim of this study was to provide stereological data for seeking whether Purkinje neurones increase their nuclear envelope invaginations with age. The nuclear parameters considered were: ratio of absolute surface area to volume, surface density and absolute surface area. The first two parameters did not significantly change, but the absolute surface area exhibited marked variations. Regression studies showed no significant linear correlations between any of the parameters and age; so, the increase in number and/or in depth of the invaginations was not suggested. The association of invaginations with a nuclear cap of Nissl substance is a constant feature, stressing that the physiological importance of the complex is maintained throughout the ageing process.

Age-related morphometric changes occurring in the somata of astrocytes of the granular layer of rat neocerebellar cortex (Crus I and Crus II).

A quantitative study concerning the age-related changes occurring in the cell body and somatic organelles of neocerebellar astrocytes is carried out, using rats aged 2 to 24 months. Manual stereological techniques are used to determine the following parameters on electron micrographs: the somatic volume, the volume density and the absolute volume of the protoplasmic structures as well as the mean surface of the rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae per cell. None of the parameters reveals any clear-cut general temporal pattern. The soma and the cell components show statistically significant differences in the parameters with ageing, excepting the dense bodies (relative and absolute volumes) and the Golgi apparatus (relative volume). There are significant positive linear trends between, on the one hand, the somatic volume and, on the other hand, the absolute volume of either of the following structures: nucleus, glial filaments, ground substance and dense bodies. Some linear correlations between the absolute volumes of organelles are also found. Despite the ability for karyokinesis, it is concluded that astrocytes do undergo changes with ageing.

Age-related quantitative changes in inhibitory axo-somatic synapses on Purkinje cells of rat neocerebellum (Crus I and Crus II).

Morphometric analysis concerning inhibitory axo-somatic synapses on the somata of rat Purkinje cells was carried out. The percentage and the absolute cell surface area occupied with the synaptic junctions as well as their surface-to-somatic volume ratio exhibited significant changes with ageing (from 2 to 24 months). All the parameters revealed the smallest value at 2 months and a peak at 9 months; then, after a decline towards 12 months, they remained fairly constant until 24 months. It is suggested that the observed modifications in the synaptic parameters of the somata would have some connection with compensatory mechanisms for dendritic deafferentation seen with ageing or with the onset and development of the reproductive life of the animals.

[Right ventricular malformation. Rare malformation of the heart]. / Hypoplasie ventriculaire droite. Malformation rare du coeur.

The AA describe a hypoplastic right ventricular chamber of the heart obtained by autopsy and belonging to a man who died of traumatic lesions and paraplegia. This malformation is very rare and the authors attribute to it the small size of the patient who was below the average Portuguese male height.