A técnica de coloração AgNOR para regiões organizadoras de nucléolos (NORs) é caracterizada por marcar proteínas ligadas ao ácido ribonucléico ribossômico, avaliando a proliferação celular. O ...objetivo do trabalho foi estudar a morfometria ovariana e a validade da técnica AgNOR na proliferação de células saudáveis das estruturas ovarianas em ovelhas mestiças. Foram colhidos 102 pares de ovários e mensurou-se o diâmetro do maior folículo de cada ovário. Do maior corpo lúteo (CL), o diâmetro e a largura foram mensurados, classificando-os em: incluso, protruso, maciço e cavitário, seguidos por coloração AgNOR. O nível de significância foi de 5% (R Statistical System). Houve diferença (p<0,05) para o diâmetro do maior folículo entre os lados direito (OD): 4,2±2,3mm e esquerdo (OE): 3,6±2,2mm. Houve correlação (p<0,01) entre as NORs da teca interna (TI) e externa (TE): OD (0,46) e OE (0,61); NORs da granulosa e TI: OD (0,54) e OE (0,59); e entre NORs da granulosa e TE: OD (0,34) e OE (0,38). Conclui-se que a quantificação das NORs foi apropriada para o estudo da determinação do potencial de proliferação das estruturas ovarianas, a qual foi similar para os lados direito e esquerdo.
The AgNOR staining technique for nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) is characterized by marking proteins related to ribossomal ribonucleic acid evaluating celular proliferation. The objective was to ...study the ovarian morphometry and the value of AgNOR thecnique application to evaluate the proliferation of healthy cels from ovarian structures in crossbred ewe. 102 pairs of ovaries were collected and from the largest follicle of each ovary was measured its diameter. From the largest corpus luteum (CL) was measured the diameter and width, classifying the CL in: included, protruberant, massive and cavity, followed by AgNOR staining. The significance level was 5%. It had difference (p<0.05) for the diameter of the largest follicle between right (RO): 4.2±2,3mm and left (LO): 3.6±2,2mm sides. There was a correlation (p<0.01) between the NORs of internal theca (IT) and external theca (ET): RO (0.46) and LO (0.61); NORs of granulosa and IT: RO (0.54) and LO (0.59); and NORs of granulosa and ET: RO (0.34) and LO (0.38). Was conclude that the NORs quantification was appropriate to study the determination of the potential for ovarian structures proliferation, which was similar for right and left sides.
•Zearalenone and its five metabolites were analyzed in a population of Tunisian women.•The association between risk of breast cancer and concentration of α-ZAL was evaluated.•The magnitude of ...associations were estimated by unconditional logistic regression.•Crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated.•Results suggest a potential role of α-ZAL in the risk of developing breast cancer.
Zearalenone (ZON) is a non-steroidal estrogenic mycotoxin produced by Fusarium species. The exposure risk to humans and animals is the consumption of contaminated food and animal feeds. It has been reported that ZON and some of its metabolites promote the development of hormone-dependent tumors. The aim of this case-control study was to estimate exposure to ZON and its five metabolites (α-zearalenol α-ZOL, β-zearalenol β-ZOL, α-zearalanol zeranol, α-ZAL, β-zearalanol teranol, β-ZAL and zearalanone ZAN) by measuring urinary concentrations of these compounds, and to evaluate the risk of breast cancer related to this exposure. Chemical analyses were carried out by liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry detection (UHPLC-MS/MS). Statistical analyses were performed in order to determine the association between exposure to these compounds and the development of breast cancer. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by unconditional logistic regression to estimate the magnitude of the associations. The obtained results (adjusted OR=1.54, 95% CI=1.10–2.77) suggest a potential role of α-ZAL in the risk of developing breast cancer.
The aim was to evaluate the associations of environmental phenol and paraben concentrations with the oxidative microenvironment in adipose tissue. This study was conducted in a subsample (n = 144) of ...the GraMo cohort (Southern Spain). Concentrations of 9 phenols and 7 parabens, and levels of oxidative stress biomarkers were quantified in adipose tissue. Associations were estimated using multivariable linear regression analyses adjusted for potential confounders.
Benzophenone-3 (BP-3) concentration was borderline associated with enhanced glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity exp(β) = 1.20, p = 0.060 and decreased levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) exp(β) = 0.55, p = 0.070. Concentrations of bisphenol A (BPA) and methylparaben (MeP) were associated to lower glutathione reductase (GRd) activity exp(β) = 0.83, exp(β) = 0.72, respectively, and BPA was borderline associated to increased levels of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) exp(β) = 1.73, p-value = 0.062. MeP was inversely associated to both hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) and superoxide dismustase (SOD) activity, as well as to the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) 0.75 < exp(β) < 0.79.
Our results suggest that some specific non-persistent pollutants may be associated with a disruption of the activity of relevant antioxidant enzymes, in addition to the depletion of the glutathione stock. They might act as a tissue-specific source of free radicals, contributing to the oxidative microenvironment in the adipose tissue.
•We analyzed phenols, parabens and oxidative stress in adipose tissue.•BP-3 was associated with enhanced GPx activity and decreased GSH levels.•BPA was associated with lower GRd activity and increased GSSG.•MeP was associated with lower GRd, HO-1, SOD, and TBARS.•These pollutants might act as a tissue-specific source of free radicals.
Podosphaera fusca is the main causal agent of cucurbit powdery mildew in Spain. Four Bacillus subtilis strains, UMAF6614, UMAF6619, UMAF6639, and UMAF8561, with proven ability to suppress the disease ...on melon in detached leaf and seedling assays, were subjected to further analyses to elucidate the mode of action involved in their biocontrol performance. Cell-free supernatants showed antifungal activities very close to those previously reported for vegetative cells. Identification of three lipopeptide antibiotics, surfactin, fengycin, and iturin A or bacillomycin, in butanolic extracts from cell-free culture filtrates of these B. subtilis strains pointed out that antibiosis could be a major factor involved in their biocontrol ability. The strong inhibitory effect of purified lipopeptide fractions corresponding to bacillomycin, fengycin, and iturin A on P. fusca conidia germination, as well as the in situ detection of these lipopeptides in bacterial-treated melon leaves, provided interesting evidence of their putative involvement in the antagonistic activity. Those results were definitively supported by site-directed mutagenesis analysis, targeted to suppress the biosynthesis of the different lipopeptides. Taken together, our data have allowed us to conclude that the iturin and fengycin families of lipopeptides have a major role in the antagonism of B. subtilis toward P. fusca.
Urinary concentrations of non-persistent environmental pollutants (npEPs) are widely assessed in biomonitoring studies under the assumption that they are metabolised and eliminated in urine. However, ...some of these chemicals are moderately lipophilic, and their presence in other biological matrices should also be evaluated to estimate mid/long-term exposure to npEPs and its impact on human health. The present study aims to explore concentrations and potential determinants of npEPs in adipose tissue from a hospital-based adult cohort (GraMo cohort, Southern Spain).
Concentrations of bisphenol-A (BPA), benzophenone-3 (BP-3), triclosan (TCS), three chlorophenols (2,4-DCP, 2,5-DCP and 2,4,5-TCP) and two phenylphenols (2-PP and 4-PP), triclocarban (TCCB) and parabens methyl- (MeP), ethyl- (EtP), propyl- (n-PrP and i-PrP), butyl- (n-BuP and i-BuP) and benzyl-paraben (BzP) were analysed in adipose tissue samples from a subcohort of 144 participants. Spearman correlation tests were performed, followed by stepwise multivariable linear regression analyses to assess determinants of the exposure.
Detection frequencies and median concentrations were: BPA (86.8%, 0.54 ng/g tissue), BP-3 (79.2%, 0.60 ng/g tissue), TCS (45.8%, <LOD), 2-PP (18.8%, <LOD), MeP (100.0%, 0.40 ng/g tissue), EtP (20.1%, <LOD) and n-PrP (54.2%, 0.06 ng/g tissue). The remaining npEPs were detected in <10% of the samples. BPA, MeP, EtP and n-PrP levels were significantly and positively correlated, while BP-3 showed a positive correlation with TCS and 2-PP. Older participants showed higher concentrations of TCS and MeP, while BMI was inversely associated with most of the analysed compounds and perceived recent weight loss was inversely associated with 2-PP. Female participants and residents of rural areas had increased BP-3 concentrations. npEP concentrations were positively associated with the consumption of fatty food but negatively associated with the consumption of vegetables and fruit.
This study reveals the widespread presence of numerous npEPs in adipose tissue from adults in southern Spain, suggesting a generalized distribution of these environmental compounds in fatty tissues. In these adults, many of the determinants of npEP concentrations in adipose tissue were similar to those of more lipophilic and persistent compounds.
•We analysed levels and determinants of non-persistent pollutants in adipose tissue.•BPA, BP-3, TCS, MeP, EtP, and n-PrP were detected in >10% of the samples.•Main determinants included age, gender, BMI, residence, recent weight loss, and diet.•Many determinants were similar to those of more lipophilic and persistent compounds.
Bisphenol A (BPA), benzophenones and parabens are commonly used in the production of polycarbonate plastics, as UV-filters and as antimicrobial preservatives, respectively, and they are thought to ...exhibit endocrine disrupting properties. Exposure to these compounds remains poorly characterized in developing countries, despite the fact that certain behaviors related to westernization have the potential to influence exposure.
The aim of this pilot study was to measure urinary concentrations of BPA, six different benzophenones and four parabens in 34 Tunisian women. In addition, we identified some socio-demographic and dietary predictors of exposure to these compounds. Chemical analyses were carried out by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry detection (UHPLC-MS/MS). Detection frequencies of methylparaben (MP), ethylparaben (EP) and propylparaben (PP) ranged between 67.6 and 94.1%. Butylparaben (BP) was found in 38.2% of the analyzed samples; BPA in 64.7%; and benzophenone-1 (BP-1) and benzophenone-3 (BP-3) were detected in 91.2 and 64.7% of the analyzed samples, respectively. Urinary geometric mean concentrations of MP, EP, PP, and BP were 30.1, 1.4, 2.0 and 0.5ngmL−1, respectively. Geometric mean concentrations of BPA, BP-1, and BP-3 were 0.4, 1.3 and 1.1ngmL−1, respectively.
Our results suggest that Tunisian women are widely exposed to BPA, parabens and some benzophenones. Further studies on the general Tunisian population are needed in order to assess the levels of exposure to these compounds and to identify sources of exposure and population groups at higher risk.
Display omitted
•BPA, benzophenones and parabens were analyzed in urine from Tunisian women.•All analyzed samples were positive for at least one EDC residue.•Women were widely exposed to BPA, parabens and some benzophenones.•Methylparaben (94.1%) and benzophenone-1 (91.2%) were highly detected.
The general population is continuously exposed to phthalates via various consumer products. Epidemiological research relating phthalate exposure to thyroid function during non-developmental periods ...is limited. This study aimed to investigate the associations between specific serum phthalate metabolites and indicators of thyroid function in adults. We measured 10 serum phthalate metabolites and thyroid hormones – total triiodothyronine (TT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) – in a subsample of 207 adults from the GraMo cohort. This subsample was made up of men and women (in equal proportions) of middle age (49 ± 17 years) and from Southern Spain (province of Granada). Data on age, sex, body mass index, residence area, tobacco use, alcohol consumption and attained education were obtained from a questionnaire. Phthalate metabolites were log-transformed and categorized into tertiles. Cross-sectional associations of each metabolite with thyroid hormones were analyzed using multivariable-adjusted linear regression models. The mixture effect of metabolite phthalates was assessed using weighted quantile sum regression. After multivariable-adjustment, the following phthalate metabolites were significantly associated with TT3 in a dose-response manner: MMP (β = 0.90: 95% confidence interval 0.68,1.12), MEP (β = 0.67: 0.44, 0.90), MiBP (β = 0.49: 0.21, 0.77), MiDP (β = 0.27: 0.03, 0.52), MBzP (β = 0.51: 0.28, 0.73), MEHP (β = −0.59: −0.82, −0.35) and MiNP (β = -0.43: −0.71, −0.14), when comparing highest vs. lowest exposed. The sum of all metabolites was also linked to FT4 levels. No significant associations were observed for TSH except for MiNP. Although phthalate metabolites with different molecular weight showed opposite associations, overall metabolite concentrations seem to associate with increased TT3 and FT4 serum levels. The cross-sectional nature of this analysis limits causal inference.
Display omitted
•10 phthalate metabolites and thyroid hormones were measured in serum.•The study was carried out in an intra-operatively recruited cohort from Southern Spain (n = 207).•Circulating phthalate metabolites were associated with serum levels of total T3 and free T4 in both sexes.•Phthalates with different molecular weight showed opposite effects.
A breadboard of a three-layer printed reflectarray for dual polarization with a different coverage in each polarization has been designed, manufactured, and tested. The reflectarray consists of three ...layers of rectangular patch arrays separated by a honeycomb and backed by a ground plane. The beam shaping for each polarization is achieved by adjusting the phase of the reflection coefficient at each reflective element independently for each linear polarization. The phase shift for each polarization is controlled by varying either the x or y patch dimensions. The dimensions of the rectangular patches are optimized to achieve the required phase shift for each beam at central and extreme frequencies in the working band. The reflectarray has been designed to produce a contoured beam for a European coverage in H-polarization in a 10% bandwidth, and a pencil beam to illuminate the East Coast in North America in V-polarization. The measured radiation patterns show that gain requirements are practically fulfilled in a 10% bandwidth for both coverages, and the electrical performances of the breadboard are close to those of a classical dual gridded reflector
The aim of this study was to (1) optimize a method for the measurement of parabens and phenols in adipose tissue, (2) evaluate the stability of chemical residues in adipose tissue samples, and (3) ...study correlations of these compounds in urine, serum, and adipose tissue.
Samples were obtained from adults undergoing trauma surgery. Nine phenols and seven parabens were determined by isotope diluted TurboFlow-LC-MS/MS. The analytical method showed good accuracy and precision. Limits of detection (LOD) for parabens and phenols ranged from 0.05 to 1.83ng/g tissue. Good recovery rates were found, even when biological samples remained defrosted up to 24h. Benzophenone-3 (BP-3; range of values: <LOD-1.48ng/g tissue) and methylparaben (MeP; <LOD-1.78ng/g tissue) were detected in >70% of adipose tissue samples, while bisphenol-A (BPA; <LOD-3.28ng/g tissue) and 2-phenylphenol (2-PP; <LOD-0.78ng/g tissue) were detected in >40% of adipose tissue samples. In general, levels were similar between adipose tissue and serum, while a correlation between adipose tissue and urine was only found for BP-3.
In conclusion, adipose tissue samples in this study were found to contain environmental chemicals considered to be non-persistent, whose levels were weakly or not at all correlated with the urine burden. Therefore, adipose tissue may potentially provide additional information to that obtained from other biological matrices. Further investigations are warranted to explore whether adipose tissue might be a suitable matrix for assessment of the consequences for human health of mid/long-term exposure to these chemicals.
•We analyzed levels of endocrine disruptors in adipose tissue, serum and urine.•We found BPA, TCS, BP-3, 2-PP and MeP in >40% of the adipose tissue samples.•Adipose tissue levels of npEDCs did not correlate with those in urine or serum.•Adipose tissue levels may have a different biological meaning.
PDF
