This thesis presents a whole-core benchmark of the European Pressurized Reactor (EPR) using multiple transport methods. The core specifications were taken directly from the Final Safety Analysis Report (FSAR) submitted to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the reactor was modeled in a stylized manner while maintaining full heterogeneity at the pin and assembly level. The geometry and material specifications are given as well as problem-specific cross sections for 2, 4, and 8 energy group calculations. Cross sections were generated using HELIOS, a lattice depletion code based on the Collision Probability Method (CPM). The multi-group cross sections were utilized in the reference calculation, COMET calculation, and response function generation. The reference solution was obtained via an MCNP model identical to the one implemented in COMET. Specific steps towards constructing and running a COMET calculation are outlined. Detailed results including assembly eigenvalues, core eigenvalues, and pin fission densities are presented.

In this paper, the coarse mesh transport method is extended to hexagonal geometry. This stochastic-deterministic hybrid transport method calculates the eigenvalue and explicit pin fission density profile of hexagonal reactor cores. It models the exact detail within complex heterogeneous cores without homogenizing regions or materials, and neither block-level nor core-level asymmetry poses any limitations to the method. It solves eigenvalue problems by first splitting the core into a set of coarse meshes, and then using Monte Carlo methods to create a library of response expansion coefficients, found by expanding the angular current in phase-space distribution using a set of polynomials orthogonal on the angular half-space defined by mesh boundaries. The coarse meshes are coupled by the angular current at their interfaces. A deterministic sweeping procedure is then used to iteratively construct the solution. The method is evaluated using benchmark problems based on a gas-cooled, graphite-moderated high temperature reactor. The method quickly solves problems to any level of detail desired by the user. In this paper, it is used to explicitly calculate the fission density of individual fuel pins and determine the reactivity worth of individual control rods. In every case, results for the core multiplication factor and pin fission density distribution are found within several minutes. Results are highly accurate when compared to direct Monte Carlo reference solutions; errors in the eigenvalue calculations are on the order of 0.02%, and errors in the pin fission density average less than 0.1%.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The use of toxicity tests to evaluate the quality of streams affected by mixtures such as acid mine drainage (AMD), adds value to assessments whereby site-specific toxicological data may identify toxicants that pose a threat to humans. To successfully evaluate the risk of combined mixtures, an improved understanding of the individual components, their uptake, metabolism, excretion and mode of action is required. This study aimed to identify the extent of AMD toxicity in a dose dependant manner on the MCF-7 cell line. The first study site associated with gold mining was chosen as the Tweelopies Stream situated in the Gauteng province of South Africa. The AMD effluent (un-neutralised) contaminating the Tweelopies Stream had undergone pH-neutralisation using a reactor-bed limestone technology incorporating the use of both calcium carbonate (CaCO3) powder and limestone beds. The second study site, the Kromdraai River, is situated in the eMalahleni region of South Africa where a predominance of coal mining exists. The pH -neutralisation of the AMD (un-neutralised) contaminated Kromdraai River was performed using a caustic soda (NaOH) precipitation technique. This study demonstrated the rapid and effective application of the comet assay as a screening tool for AMD-associated DNA breakages in the human cell line, MCF-7. Moreover, the study analysed parameters of cellular survival, DNA fragmentation and variations in morphologies indicative of cellular death. Collectively, the cyto-genetic aberrations observed in the MCF-7 cells as a result of exposure to gold and coal mining associated AMD, confirms the urgency of incorporating high-throughput screening in ecological toxicity assessment to evaluate cellular damage at genetic levels in low dose exposures where detection might be missed. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die gebruik van toksisiteitstoetse om die gehalte van strome te evalueer wat geraak word deur mengsels soos suur mynwater (SM), gee waarde aan spesifieke toksikologiese data van gifstowwe wat 'n bedreiging vir die mens kan identifiseer. Om die risiko van gekombineerde mengsels en hul individuele komponente beter te begrip en suksesvol evalueer, is hul opname, metabolisme, uitskeiding en modus van aksie nodig. Hierdie studie het gepoog om die omvang van SM-toksisiteit in 'n dosis afhanklike wyse op die MCF-7-sellyn te identifiseer. Die eerste studie-area wat gekies is, hou verband met goudmyn-ontginning, en is die Tweelopiesspruit, geleë in die Gauteng-provinsie van Suid-Afrika. Die SM-uitvloeisel (on-geneutraliseerde) wat die Tweelopiesspruit besoedel, het pH-neutralisasie ondergaan met behulp van die integrasie van 'n reaktor-bed kalksorpsietegnologie wat gebruik maak van beide kalsiumkarbonaat (CaCO3) poeier en kalksteenbeddens. Die tweede studie-area, is die Kromdraairivier geleë in die eMalahleni-streek van Suid-Afrika, waar steenkoolontginning die oorheersende aktiwiteit is. Die pH-neutralisasie van die SM (on-geneutraliseerde) in die geval van die Kromdraairivier word met behulp van 'n bytsoda (NaOH) neerslag tegniek, uitgevoer. Hierdie studie het die komeet-toets getoon as 'n vinnige en doeltreffende toepassing vir SM-geassosieerde DNA-breekskade in die menslike sel lyn, MCF-7. Verder het die studie parameters van sellulêre oorlewing, DNA-fragmentasie en variasies in sel morfologieë wat ‘n aanduiding van sellulêre dood is, ontleed. Gesamentlik dui die resultate daarop dat die sitogenetiese afwykings wat in die MCF-7-selle waargeneem is, as 'n gevolg van blootstelling aan goud- en steenkool-geassosieerde SM is. Die studie het verder die dringendheid van die integrasie van hoë-deurset tegnologieë in ekologiese toksisiteitstoetse in selle wat genetiese skade mag ondergaan, na 'n lae dosis blootstelling waar opsporing dalk gemis word, ondersteun.

Orientador: Edson Luis Maistro / Resumo: A Salix alba L. (SA), popularmente conhecida como Salgueiro Branco, é uma planta utilizada na medicina popular para o tratamento de inflamações crônicas e agudas, infecções, dores, febre, entre outros. A caracterização fitoquímica do extrato da casca desta planta revelou que seu principal componente é a salicina, com uma concentração de 4,94 mg/mL, um precursor do anti-inflamatório ácido acetilsalicílico. Considerando que existem poucos estudos que avaliam a ação tóxica e citotóxica do extrato da SA, o presente estudo foi elaborado visando investigar o potencial citotóxico, genotóxico e mutagênico da SA em células mononucleares do sangue periférico humano e de hepatocarcinoma humano HepG2 in vitro, e em diferentes células de camundongos in vivo, utilizando alguns dos testes tradicionais na área de mutagênese, como o teste do MTT, o Ensaio do Cometa e o Teste do Micronúcleo, bem como a verificação de potencial citotoxicidade por meio de análises histológicas e histoquímicas. Os testes de viabilidade celular e citotoxicidade (azul de tripan e MTT) permitiram a escolha de 3 concentrações do extrato da SA para serem analisadas nos ensaios de genotoxicidade in vitro: 5, 50 e 100 µg/mL. Pelo ensaio cometa com as células mononucleares de sangue periférico, pôde-se observar que as concentrações de 50 e 100 µg/mL acarretaram um aumento estatisticamente significativo de danos no DNA, em comparação ao controle negativo. Já no teste do micronúcleo, as 3 concentrações avaliadas (5, 50 e 1... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Salix alba L. (SA), popularly known as White Willow, is a plant used in folk medicine for the treatment of chronic and acute inflammations, infections, pains, fever, among others. The phytochemical characterization of the bark extract of this plant revealed that its main component is salicin, with a concentration of 4.94 mg/mL, a precursor of the antiinflammatory acetylsalicylic acid. Considering that there are few studies evaluating the toxic and cytotoxic action of SA extract, the present study was designed to investigate the cytotoxic, genotoxic and mutagenic potential of SA bark wood extract in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and human hepatoma cell line HepG2 in vitro and in different mouse cells in vivo using some of the traditional mutagenesis tests such as the MTT test, the Comet assay and the Micronucleus test, and cytotoxicity in the liver of mice also by histological and histochemical analysis. Cell viability and cytotoxicity tests (trypan blue and MTT) allowed the choice of 3 concentrations of the SA extract to be analyzed in the in vitro genotoxicity assays: 5, 50 and 100 μg/mL. By the comet assay with the peripheral blood mononuclear cells, it was observed that concentrations of 50 and 100 μg/ml resulted in a statistically significant increase in DNA damage, as compared to the negative control. In the micronucleus test, the 3 concentrations evaluated (5, 50 and 100 μg/mL) did not produce significant increases of micronucleated binucleate cells, as well ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Les comètes sont les vestiges de la "nébuleuse solaire", c'est-à-dire du disque proto-planétaire qui a engendré notre système solaire. Elles sont composées de glaces et de poussières contenant des matériaux et molécules organiques ainsi que des minéraux. La composition des comètes reflète au premier ordre celle des glaces interstellaires. Toutefois, cette filiation n'est pas avérée. Au cours de la période pré-accrétionelle, le matériau cométaire a potentiellement subi l'action de nombreux processus physiques (chauffage, irradiation UV et particulaire) qui ont nécessairement altéré sa structure et sa composition.L'objectif ce cette thèse est de mieux comprendre, grâce à des expériences de laboratoire, l'effet des processus de chauffage et d'irradiation ionique sur des analogues de matière cométaire (glaces et matériaux carbonés). Une partie de ces expériences porte sur l’évolution de la deutération des molécules organiques lors du réchauffement des glaces. Elles ont été menées à l’IPAG (Institut de Planétologie et d’Astrophysique de Grenoble) et au PIIM (Laboratoire de Physique des Interactions Ioniques et Moléculaires) à Marseille. Elles démontrent qu'un équilibrage isotopique a lieu au cours de la cristallisation, sur des échelles de temps de l'ordre de l'heure à des températures supérieures à 120 K, pour les groupements chimiques capables de former des liaisons hydrogènes avec l'eau (groupements -OH et -NH2). Cet équilibrage efface ainsi le fractionnement initial de certaines molécules, ou certains groupements chimiques, dans la phase post-sublimation. Ce résultat permet en particulier d'expliquer la deutération sélective des isotopologues du méthanol dans les cœurs chauds des proto-étoiles.Un second volet de la thèse a porté sur l'étude de la formation de la matière organique réfractaire présente dans les astéroïdes et les comètes. Des expériences de chauffage et d’irradiation ont été menées à l'IPAG, au GANIL (Grand accélérateur national d’ions lourds) à Caen, et au CSNSM (Centre de Sciences Nucléaires et de Sciences de la Matière) à Orsay. Nous montrons qu'un chauffage au-delà de 400° C de précurseurs simples permet la formation de carbones désordonnés polyaromatiques dont la structure est proche de celle observée dans les objets primitifs du système solaire. Les effets de l’irradiation ionique sont plus difficiles à évaluer car ils dépendent du pouvoir d'arrêt des précurseurs cibles et des ions projectiles. Des contraintes sur les doses nucléaires maximales reçues par la matière primitive sont néanmoins déduites (D<14 eV/atome). In fine, ces simulations démontrent qu'un processus de chauffage apparaît comme beaucoup plus probable que les processus radiolytiques, mais une combinaison des deux ne peut pas être exclue.Enfin, cette thèse a bénéficié des premières données in situ de la mission spatiale européenne ROSETTA en orbite autour de la comète Churyumov-Gerasimenko (67P) de juillet 2014 à septembre 2016. L’analyse des données du spectro-imageur VIRTIS-M a permis de montrer qu’un matériau organique semi-volatile, contenant notamment des acides carboxyliques, est présent de manière quasi-homogène sur toute la surface de la comète 67P. / Comets are remnants of the "solar nebula", i.e. the protoplanetary disk from which our solar system formed. They are composed of ice and dust containing minerals and organic materials and molecules. The comets' composition reflects at the first order that of interstellar ices. However, this relationship has not been proven. During the pre-accretional phase, the comet material has potentially undergone the action of many physical processes (heat, UV and particule radiation) which have undoubtedly altered its structure and composition.This thesis objective is to better understand, through laboratory experiments, the effect of heating and ion irradiation processes on cometary matter analogues (ice and carbonaceous materials). Some of these experiments focuses on the evolution of the organic molecules deuteration during ice heating. They were conducted at the IPAG (Institute of Planetology and Astrophysics of Grenoble) and the PIIM (Physics Laboratory of Ionic and Molecular Interaction) in Marseille. They demonstrate that isotopic equilibration takes place during crystallization, on a timescale of an hour at temperatures above 120 K, for the chemical groups capable of forming hydrogen bonds with water (OH and NH2 chemical groups). Thus, this equilibration erases the initial fractionation of certain molecules or certain chemical groups, during the post-sublimation phase. This result explains in particular the selective deuteration of isotopologues methanol in protostars hot cores.A second part of the thesis focused on the study of the formation of refractory organic matter found in asteroids and comets. Heating and irradiation experiments were conducted at the IPAG, at the GANIL (Grand National Accelerator heavy ion) in Caen, and the CSNSM (Nuclear Sciences Centre and the Material Sciences) in Orsay. We show that heating simple precursors above 400° C allows the formation of disordered polyaromatic carbons whose structure is close to that observed in the primitive objetcs of the solar system. Ion irradiation effects are more difficult to assess because they depend on the stopping power of precursors target and projectile ions. Nevertheless, constraints on maximum nuclear doses received by primitive matter are deducted (D>14 eV/atom). Ultimately, these simulations demonstrate that heating processes appear to be much more likely than radiolytic processes, but a combination of the two can not be ruled out.

L'expérience Comet Nucleus Sounding par Radio-wave Transmission (CONSERT / Rosetta) a été conçu pour scanner l'intérieur de la comète 67P / Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Cet instrument se compose de deux parties: l'une à bord de Rosetta et l'autre à bord de Philae. Les données disponibles à partir des tests de fonctionnement et d’étalonnage ont permis de faire une calibration de l’instrument de bout à bout. Cette calibration a permis de corriger le déséquilibre d’amplitude à 5%, de la puissance de sortie et de construire une loi de compensation pour les différents modèles de vol et de recharge. Celui-ci a augmenté la précession de l’AGC et gain système et enfin nous avons estimé le délai engendré par les filtres et l’électronique du système pour les différents modèles. Les résultats obtenus sur la calibration des données sur chaque modèle réduiront, en conséquence, les erreurs d’estimation. Enfin, l’étalonnage de CONSER a beaucoup contribué à améliorer les mesures effectuées lors de l’atterrissage du Philae sur la comète. / The Comet Nucleus Sounding Experiment by Radio-wave Transmission (CONSERT / Rosetta) was designed to scan the interior of the comet 67P / Churyumov-Gerasimenko. This instrument consists of two parts:one on board of Rosetta and the other on board of Philae. The data available from operational and calibration tests allowed a end-to-end calibration of the instrument. This calibration enabled to correct the amplitude imbalance at 5%, of the output power and to build a compensation law for the different models of flight and recharging. This increased the precession of the AGC and gain systemand finally we estimated the delay generated by the filters and electronics system for the different models. The results obtained on the calibration of the data on each model will consequently reduce the estimation errors.Finally, the calibration of CONSER contributed significantly to improve the measurements made during the landing of the Philae on the comet.

Introdução: Toda a exposição à radiação ionizante envolve um benefício e um risco inerente. O tratamento com radioterapia utiliza feixes de alta energia que tem como finalidade destruir o tumor, atingindo também áreas adjacentes e podendo causar dano celular, não visível macroscopicamente. Objetivos: O objetivo principal deste projeto é avaliar o índice de dano em células nucleadas do sangue periférico de pacientes diagnosticadas com câncer de mama em tratamento com radioterapia, através das técnicas de micronúcleo e ensaio cometa. O objetivo específico é avaliar a percepção de risco e coerção de pacientes diagnosticadas com câncer de mama em relação ao seu tratamento com radioterapia. Métodos: A metodologia consiste em dois sub-estudos, um com delineamento longitudinal, do tipo estudo de casos incidentes, composto por pacientes com câncer de mama em tratamento no Serviço de Radioterapia. Foram realizadas quatro coletas de sangue em diferentes momentos para a realização das duas técnicas: (1) antes do início do tratamento, (2) na segunda semana, (3) no final e (4) aproximadamente um mês após o seu término. O segundo sub-estudo, com delineamento transversal, foi realizado no período antes do tratamento radioterápico. As pacientes que foram submetidas à radioterapia foram pareadas com outro grupo de participantes voluntárias que não têm diagnóstico de câncer e nem indicação de radioterapia. Cada sub-estudo foi formado por 18 indivíduos do sexo feminino, totalizando 36 sujeitos de pesquisa. Utilizando-se a técnica de micronúcleo, foram analisadas três tipos de alterações celulares: micronúcleo, buds e pontes nucleoplasmáticas. Durante a segunda coleta de sangue um questionário contendo a percepção de coerção e de risco foi aplicado às pacientes. Resultados: Em relação ao estudo longitudinal houve diferença significativa na alteração nuclear de micronúcleo entre as coletas realizadas antes e após um mês de tratamento com radioterapia. Em relação à alteração nuclear buds não houve diferença significativa e em relação à alteração nuclear pontes nucleoplasmáticas houve diferença significativa, mas não foi possível verificar entre quais momentos da coleta de sangue. Houve diferença significativa na técnica ensaio cometa comparando as coletas realizadas duas semanas após o início da radioterapia e no final da mesma. Em relação ao estudo transversal, os resultados da técnica de micronúcleo mostraram que não há diferença significativa entre as pacientes com câncer e sem câncer. A percepção de coerção obteve um valor médio de 0,79, com desvio padrão de 0,91. Quanto à percepção de risco em relação ao seu tratamento, as pacientes inferiram um risco médio de 5,4% e um desvio padrão de 11,9%. A maioria das pacientes, 84% da amostra, teve uma percepção de risco que não ultrapassou 10%. Conclusão: A radioterapia induziu danos celulares, ou seja, houve efeito biológico causado pelo tratamento com radioterapia evidenciado pela alteração nuclear de micronúcleo. A técnica ensaio cometa evidenciou, que o sistema de reparo foi eficiente, pois, o dano celular induzido na segunda semana de tratamento diminuiu no final do mesmo. Com base na avaliação das percepções de coerção e de risco, em relação à radioterapia, foi possível verificar que: a) A percepção de risco obteve valores baixos, sendo que na maioria da amostra o risco percebido foi igual a zero; b) A baixa percepção de coerção evidencia que as pacientes tiveram liberdade para optar pelo tratamento proposto pela equipe assistencial com reduzida pressão de fatores externos. / Background: Benefits and inherent risks are involved in any exposure to ionizing radiation. Treatment with radiation therapy uses high energy beams that aim to destroy the tumor, affecting also adjacent areas and potentially causing cell damage, in a macroscopic view. Objective: The main objective of this research was to evaluate the damage index in nucleated cells from peripheral blood of breast cancer patients receiving treatment with radiotherapy through the techniques micronucleus and comet assay. The specific objective is to evaluate the risk perception and coercion of patients diagnosed with breast cancer about their treatment with radiotherapy. Methods: The methodology consists of two sub-studies, the first one is a longitudinal study of incident cases, comprising patients with breast cancer undergoing treatment at the Radiotherapy Service. Four blood samples were taken at different times to the achievement of both techniques: (1) before starting treatment, (2) in the second week, (3) at the end and (4) a month after finished the treatment. The second sub-study, with cross-sectional design was carried out before radiotherapy. The patients who underwent radiotherapy were paired with another group of voluntary participants who have no diagnosis of cancer and are not using any radiation. Each sub-study consisted of 18 females, making 36 research subjects. Using the micronucleus assay, we analyzed three types of cellular changes: micronuclei, buds and nucleoplasmatic bridges. During the second blood collection a perception of coercion and risk perception questionnaire was applied to patients. Results: The longitudinal study showed a significant difference in the nuclear micronuclei changes between samples taken before and after a month of radiotherapy. Regarding amendment nuclear buds there was no significant difference and in relation to amendment nuclear nucleoplasmatic bridges there was a significant difference, but it was not possible to verify what time between blood collection. There were significant differences in the comet assay comparing the samples taken two weeks after the start of radiotherapy and at the end of treatment. Regarding the cross-sectional study, the micronucleus assay results showed no significant difference between patients with cancer and without cancer. The perception of coercion obtained an average value of 0.79 with a standard deviation of 0.91. Regarding the risk perception in relation to their treatment, patients inferred an average risk of 5.4% and a standard deviation of 11.9%. Most patients, 84% of the sample had a risk perception that did not exceed 10%. Conclusion: The radiation induced cell damage, there was biological effect caused by radiotherapy and evidenced by changes in nuclear micronuclei. The comet assay showed that the repair system was efficient, because cellular damage in the second week of treatment decreased at the end of it. Based on the assessment of the perceptions of coercion and risk in relation to radiotherapy, we found that: a) risk perception obtained low values, and in most of the sample perceived risk was zero, b) Low perception of coercion shows that the patients were free to choose the treatment proposed by the treatment team with a reduced pressure of external factors.

Processos industriais utilizam e geram uma variedade de compostos que são liberados e dispersados no ambiente. Sobre a maioria dessas substâncias, muitas sendo recentemente sintetizadas, não se tem o devido conhecimento e controle, o que pode causar diversos prejuízos ao ambiente e à saúde humana, sendo as populações do entorno das fontes emissoras as primeiras a se exporem. Nesse contexto, uma avaliação que estime o potencial efeito de uma mistura de substâncias à determinada população requer um trabalho extenso e multidisciplinar. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar, através de marcadores genéticos, a presença de atividade mutagênica no material particulado atmosférico como marcador de exposição e diagnóstico ambiental em áreas sob influência industrial petroquímica, associando o biomonitoramento humano em população urbana exposta à atividade industrial. Foram avaliadas amostras de material particulado atmosférico, através do ensaio Salmonella/microssoma, de áreas que recebem as emissões atmosféricas do complexo petroquímico do sul, Triunfo (RS), e de uma refinaria de petróleo em Esteio (RS) e, para comparação, uma área urbana em Porto Alegre (RS) também foi avaliada. Todos os locais estudados apresentaram respostas positivas para mutagenicidade e indicaram a presença de mutágenos diretos e indiretos, e de nitrocompostos, como nitroarenos, aminas aoromáticas e nitro-PAHs. Amostras de sangue e mucosa oral de homens residentes e/ou trabalhadores na área influenciada pela refinaria de petróleo foram avaliadas quanto ao dano no DNA através do ensaio cometa e micronúcleo, respectivamente. Este grupo de indivíduos foi comparado a um grupo de referência similar entre os habitantes do município de Santo Antônio da Patrulha (RS), caracterizado como fora das principais áreas industriais do Estado. Não houve diferença entre a freqüência de células micronucleadas entre os grupos. No entanto, o ensaio cometa se mostrou sensível na detecção de dano ao DNA em indivíduos do grupo exposto. Nenhum dos fatores com possibilidade de interferência no parâmetro avaliado (fumo, idade e radiação) mostraram associação com aumento de dano detectado pelo ensaio cometa. Os ensaios biológicos utilizados no diagnóstico ambiental e no biomonitoramento da população foram ferramentas úteis na avaliação de áreas influenciadas por atividades humanas. Assim, o ensaio Salmonella/microssoma além de fornecer informações sobre os efeitos biológicos resultantes das misturas presentes no ambiente, também indicou as classes dos compostos e sua contribuição ao efeito observado. Já o ensaio do cometa foi indicativo importante no biomonitoramento da exposição humana à mistura de agentes genotóxicos ambientais. Esses resultados indicam que os atuais parâmetros de qualidade do ar não são suficientes para evitar efeitos adversos ao ambiente e à saúde humana. / Industrial processes use and generate a variety of compounds that are liberated and dispersed in the environment. Most of those substances, many recently synthesized, still do not have the understanding and control they deserve, which can cause several damages to the environment and human health, and the populations surrounding the emission sources are the first to be exposed. In this way, any evaluation estimating the potential effect of a mixture of substances to a particular population require an extensive multi-disciplinary approach. The present study had as objective to evaluate, through genetic biomarkers, the presence of mutagenic activity in the airborne particulate matter as an exposure marker and environmental diagnosis in areas under influence of petrochemical industry, associating the human biomonitoring in urban population exposed to industrial activities. Airborne particulate matter samples were evaluated through Salmonella/microsome assay. Samples from areas receiving atmospheric emissions from a petrochemical complex (Triunfo, RS), an oil refinery (Esteio, RS) and an urban area (Porto Alegre, RS) were evaluated. All studied areas showed positive responses for mutagenicity, indicating that direct and indirect-acting mutagens were present in airborne particulate matter. Also, the mutagenic responses indicate the participation of nitrocompounds, like nitroarenes, hydroxylamines, nitro-PAHs and aromatic amines in the total mutagenicity. Samples of blood and buccal mucosa, from males residing and/or working downwind from an oil refinery, were evaluated in singlecell gel electrophoresis assay (comet assay) and micronucleus (MN) assay, respectively. This studied group was compared to males from another town (Santo Antônio da Patrulha, RS, Brazil) situated in an urban area with restricted traffic and industrial influence, constituting the reference group. No difference in micronucleated cells frequencies was observed between groups. Comet assay was sensitive to detect DNA damage in subjects from exposed group. No association was found between possible confounding factors (tobacco smoking, age and radiation exposure) and increased DNA damage. Biological tests in monitoring and environmental diagnosis studies, in areas under influence of anthropogenic activities, were useful tools to screen which chemical genotoxic compound classes are present. It also indicates that the current air quality standards are not sufficient to avoid damage to the environment and human health.

A doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC) é uma doença inflamatória com participação de macrófagos, neutrófilos e linfócitos CD8, associada a estímulos oxidantes diretamente nas estruturas pulmonares, causada mais comumente pelo tabagismo. Recentemente foi demonstrado que o teste de caminhada dos seis minutos (TC6) é capaz de aumentar a inflamação e gerar o aumento de espécies reativas de oxigênio. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os níveis de dano e reparo de DNA em portadores de DPOC, quando submetidos ao TC6. Para avaliar o dano de DNA, amostras de sangue periférico foram coletadas antes e imediatamente após o TC6. Para avaliar a capacidade de reparo, foi analisada uma amostra coletada 48 horas após o TC6. Todas as amostras foram processadas pela técnica do cometa. Vinte e sete pacientes portadores de DPOC foram avaliados, sendo 59% homens. A média de idade foi de 64,7 ± 8,4 anos. A média do VEF1 foi de 40,3% ± 18,4% do previsto, com relação média de VEF1/CVF de 52,5% ± 11,9%. Todos fumaram em média 36,7 ± 17,0 anos, uma média de 48,1 ± 37,5 maços/ano. As médias das variáveis obtidas no início e no final do TC6 foram: SpO2 (92,0 ± 4,5 vs. 91,4 ± 4,6), percepção da dispnéia pela escala de BORG (1,2 ± 1,0 vs. 2,4 ± 1,7) e a distância percorrida foi em média de 380,1± 84,4 m. As taxas médias de dano de DNA antes do TC6 (27,9 ± 19,2) e imediatamente após (29,6±29,6) não apresentaram diferenças significativas (p=0,904). A análise realizada 48 horas após o TC6 demonstrou uma redução não significativa deste dano (18,3 ± 13,0, p=0,099). Conclui-se neste estudo que o esforço físico realizado durante o TC6 não provoca aumento imediato nas taxas de dano de DNA, nem estimula os mecanismos de reparo do DNA em portadores de DPOC. / Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is an inflammatory disease in which macrophages, neutrophils and CD8 T lymphocytes play an important role. It is associated with direct oxidant stimuli of lung structures, which are most frequently triggered by smoking. A recent study showed that the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) increases inflammation and reactive oxygen species. This study evaluated DNA damage and repair in patients with COPD that took the 6MWT. To evaluate DNA damage, peripheral blood samples were collected before and immediately after 6MWT. To evaluate repair, a sample was collected 48 hours after the 6MWT. All samples were prepared for the comet assay. Twenty-seven patients with COPD were evaluated; 59% were men and mean age was 64.7 ± 8.4. Mean FEV1 was 40.3% ± 18.4% of predicted value, and mean FEV1/FVC was 52.5% ± 11.9%. Mean values before and after 6MWT were: SpO2 = 92.0 ± 4.5 vs. 91.4 ± 4.6; Borg score for dyspnea = 1.2 ± 1.0 vs. 2.4 ± 1.7; and mean distance walked – 380.1 ± 84.4 m. Mean DNA damage values before (27.9 ± 19.2) and immediately after (29.6 ± 29.6) 6MWT were not significantly different (p = 0.904). The analysis performed 48 hours after 6MWT showed a nonsignificant reduction of damage (18.3 ± 13.0; p = 0.099). Conclusions The physical effort during 6MWT did not cause an immediate increase in DNA damage, and did not stimulate DNA repair mechanisms in patients with COPD.

PAIVA, Jean Carlos Gomes. Biomonitoring genetic of farmers exposed to pesticides in the municipalities of Tiangua and Ubajara (Ceará, Brazil). 2011. 111 f. : Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal do Ceará, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Renorbio - Rede Nordeste de Biotecnologia. 2011. / Submitted by demia Maia (demiamlm@gmail.com) on 2016-05-23T17:19:06Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2011_tese_jcgpaiva.pdf: 2591728 bytes, checksum: 4776344bdee5aac282c66c0a37608507 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by demia Maia (demiamlm@gmail.com) on 2016-05-23T17:19:52Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2011_tese_jcgpaiva.pdf: 2591728 bytes, checksum: 4776344bdee5aac282c66c0a37608507 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-05-23T17:19:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2011_tese_jcgpaiva.pdf: 2591728 bytes, checksum: 4776344bdee5aac282c66c0a37608507 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011