Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:54:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:08:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / O comércio de vegetais minimamente processados (VMP) tem crescido substancialmente nos últimos anos devido a sua conveniência, frescor e aparente salubridade. No entanto, o processamento mínimo não reduz as populações de microrganismos patogênicos para níveis seguros. A irradiação de alimentos é utilizada para estender a vida de prateleira e inativar patógenos presentes nos alimentos. Seu uso combinado com o processamento mínimo poderia aumentar a segurança e qualidade dos VMP. Dois diferentes métodos de detecção de alimentos irradiados, um biológico, o DEFT/APC, e outro bioquímico, o teste do cometa, foram aplicados a VMP com o objetivo de testar sua aplicabilidade na detecção do tratamento por radiação. O DEFT/APC é um método de varredura microbiológico baseado no uso da técnica de epifluorescência direta em filtro (DEFT) e da contagem padrão em placas (APC). O teste do cometa detecta o dano no DNA devido, por exemplo, a radiação ionizante. Amostras de acelga, agrião, alface, catalônia, couve, escarola, espinafre e repolho do comércio varejista foram irradiadas com 0,5kGy e 1,0kGy utilizando um irradiador de 60Co. O processamento por irradiação garantiu a redução de pelo menos dois ciclos logarítmicos nas populações de microrganismos aeróbios e psicrotróficos. Em geral, com o aumento das doses de radiação, as contagens DEFT se mantiveram similares independentemente do processamento por irradiação, enquanto as contagens APC diminuíram gradualmente. A diferença das duas contagens aumentou gradualmente com o incremento da dose em todas as amostras. Uma diferença entre o valor de DEFT e do APC maior a 2,0 log seria indicativa de que o VMP foi tratado por irradiação. O teste do cometa permitiu distinguir amostras não irradiadas das irradiadas, que mostraram diferentes tipos de cometas decorrentes da fragmentação do DNA. Tanto o método DEFT/APC quanto o teste do cometa foram satisfatoriamente utilizados como métodos de varredura para a detecção do tratamento por irradiação. / Dissertação (Mestrado) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares - IPEN/CNEN-SP

nÃo hà / A utilizaÃÃo de agrotÃxicos na agricultura elevou rapidamente seu consumo, especialmente de forma indiscriminada, sendo o Brasil um dos maiores mercados, representando 16% da venda mundial. No PiauÃ, a expansÃo agrÃcola na regiÃo dos cerrados contribuiu para o aumento do seu uso, expondo os agricultores a danos ao DNA. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar os efeitos tÃxicos e genotÃxicos nos agricultores piauienses expostos aos agrotÃxicos, com o uso de biomarcadores hematolÃgicos, bioquÃmicos e genotÃxicos. A populaÃÃo estudada consistiu de 60 trabalhadores expostos aos agrotÃxicos dos municÃpios de Barras e Josà de Freitas e 55 indivÃduos controle, sem histÃria de exposiÃÃo a agroquÃmicos. Para caracterizaÃÃo da populaÃÃo foi aplicado questionÃrio sÃcio epidemiolÃgico, de acordo com a International Commission for Protection Against Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens-ICPEMC. Foram coletados 10 mL de sangue perifÃrico para realizaÃÃo das anÃlises hematolÃgicas, bioquÃmicas e ensaio cometa, que foram processadas pelo LACEN-PI. A mÃdia de idade foi de 34 anos, de etnia negra, na maioria, com tempo de trabalho, em mÃdia de 13,55 anos, carga horÃria de 41,5 horas semanais e 50% dos trabalhadores utilizavam pelo menos um tipo de EPI. Quanto aos hÃbitos de vida, 66,7% dos trabalhadores expostos informou nÃo consumir vegetais, 41,7 % eram fumantes e 73,3% consumiam bebidas alcoÃlicas. Do total do grupo exposto, 33,3% usava medicamentos prescritos e 66,7% usava medicamentos nÃo prescritos. No estudo foi evidenciado maior uso na agricultura de herbicidas (81,1%) e inseticidas (16,3%). No grupo dos trabalhadores expostos, 55% apresentaram leucopenia e 6,7% apresentaram diminuiÃÃo na contagem de cÃlulas vermelhas. Foram evidenciadas alteraÃÃes na creatinina plasmÃtica (p < 0,05); nas transaminases e fosfatase alcalina (p< 0,01) quando comparado o grupo exposto com o nÃo exposto. Nos resultados do ensaio cometa, o grupo exposto apresentou, em relaÃÃo ao grupo nÃo exposto, uma mÃdia de (32,13 vs 10,12) de Ãndice de dano, e frequÃncia do dano (21,82 vs 9,38), respectivamente. Na classe 1, a genotoxicidade observada foi de 17% para os expostos e 9% para os nÃo expostos. NÃo houve significÃncia entre os danos no DNA em relaÃÃo Ãs variÃveis: tempo de trabalho, nÃo uso de EPI, hÃbito de fumar, consumo de Ãlcool e nÃo consumo de vegetais. Conclui-se que os trabalhadores expostos a agrotÃxicos apresentaram alteraÃÃes enzimÃticas, hematolÃgicas (leucopenia) e instabilidade genÃtica, avaliados por parÃmetros bioquÃmicos e genotÃxicos, demonstrando assim a importÃncia do biomonitoramento dos trabalhadores como uma estratÃgia de vigilÃncia em saÃde do trabalhador no Estado do PiauÃ. / The use of pesticides in agriculture rapidly increased their consumption, especially indiscriminate consumption, being Brazil currently the largest market for pesticide in the world, representing 16% of worldwide sales. In the state of PiauÃ, the agricultural expansion in the region of Cerrado contributed to their increased use, exposing farm workers to damages to the DNA. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the toxic and genotoxic effects in farm workers exposed to pesticides in PiauÃ, with the use of hematologic, biochemical and genotoxic biomarkers. The population in analysis consisted of 60 farm workers from the municipalities of Barras and Josà de Freitas occupationally exposed to pesticides and 55 control individuals with no history of exposure to agrochemicals. To obtain the characteristics of the population, a social-epidemiological questionnaire was applied, recommended by International Commission for Protection Against Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens-ICPEMC. 10 mL of peripheral blood were collected for haematological, biochemical and comet assay analyses, all of which were processed by LACEN-PI. The mean age was 34 years, of black ethnicity, mostly with an average of 13.55 years of work, workload of 41.5 weekly hours and 50% of workers used at least one type of PPE. In what concerns lifestyle, 66.7% of the exposed workers said they did not consume vegetables, 41.7% were smokers and 73.3% consumed alcohol. Of the total of the exposed group, 33.3% used prescribed medication and 66.7% used non-prescribed medication. In the study, it was evidenced a higher use of herbicides (81.1%) and insecticides (16.3%) in agriculture. In the group of exposed workers, 55% had leucopenia and 6.7% showed a decrease in the red blood cell count. It was found variation in plasmatic creatinine (p < 0.05); in liver enzymes and alkaline phosphatise (p < 0.01) when comparing the exposed and the non-exposed groups. In the results of the comet assay, the exposed group showed, in comparison with the non-exposed group, a mean of (32.13 vs. 10.12) of damage index and damage frequency of (21.82 vs. 9.38), respectively. In class 1, the genotoxicity observed was 17% for the exposed and 9% for the non-exposed. There was no significance between DNA damage and the following variables: workload, non-use of PPE, smoking, consumption of alcohol and non-consumption of vegetables. We concluded that workers exposed to pesticides presented toxic variations and genetic instability, which was evidenced by enzymatic variation and damages to the DNA, which thus demonstrates the importance of biomonitoring of workers as a strategy of occupational health surveillance in the state of PiauÃ.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / Nos Ãltimos anos, o uso de pesticidas na agricultura tem aumentado e associaÃÃes entre a exposiÃÃo a produtos quÃmicos agrÃcolas e danos ao DNA e cÃncer tem sido relatados. O Brasil à um dos lÃderes mundiais na utilizaÃÃo de pesticidas, no entanto, estudos que avaliem o impacto da exposiÃÃo ocupacional a pesticidas sobre a incidÃncia e mortalidade por cÃncer ainda sÃo escassos na populaÃÃo brasileira. O teste do cometa alcalino e a anÃlise de aberraÃÃes cromossÃmicas (AC) foram utilizados para avaliar danos primÃrios ao DNA em linfÃcitos do sangue perifÃrico de trabalhadores expostos a uma mistura complexa de pesticidas em duas pequenas comunidades rurais nos municÃpios de Tianguà e Ubajara, localizados no oeste do Estado do Cearà (Nordeste do Brasil). Estes MunicÃpios estÃo entre as maiores Ãreas agrÃcolas do Estado. O teste do cometa mostrou que o Ãndice e freqÃÃncia de danos observados nos grupos expostos foram significativamente maiores em relaÃÃo aos grupos controle (P <0,05). Por outro lado, nÃo foram detectadas diferenÃas significativas em relaÃÃo a AC estruturais e numÃricas nas comunidades avaliadas. AlÃm disso, os nÃveis observados de quebras da fita de DNA e freqÃÃncias de AC, estratificadas por tempo de exposiÃÃo, nÃo foram estatisticamente diferentes nos agricultores de ambas comunidades rurais. Os resultados sugerem que os danos causados por pesticidas na Ãrea de estudo nÃo foram significativos o suficiente para induzir mutaÃÃes permanentes ou interferir na formaÃÃo do aparelho mitÃtico. Danos mÃnimos causados pelos pesticidas podem ter sido submetidos a reparo celular, explicando a ausÃncia de AC estruturais e numÃricas. As anÃlises da Ãgua do reservatÃrio que serve de fonte para irrigaÃÃo das plantaÃÃes e abastece os municÃpios da regiÃo nÃo detectou contaminaÃÃo por resÃduos de pesticidas. / In recent years, the use of pesticides in agriculture has been steadily increasing, and associations between exposure to agricultural chemicals and DNA damage and cancer have been reported. Brazil is one of the world leaders in pesticide use; however, studies that evaluate the impact of pesticide exposure on cancer incidence and mortality are very scarce in the Brazilian population. The alkaline comet assay and the chromosome aberration (CA) test were used to evaluate primary DNA damage in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of workers exposed to a complex mixture of pesticides in two small rural communities in the municipalities of Tianguà and Ubajara, located in the western part of Cearà State (Northeast Brazil), which are among the largest agricultural areas of the state. The comet assay showed that the damage index and damage frequency observed in the exposed groups were significantly higher in relation to the controls (P < 0.05). On the other hand, no differences were detected regarding structural and numerical CAs in the communities evaluated. Additionally, the observed levels of DNA strand breaks and frequencies of CAs, stratified for exposure time, were not statistically different for individuals of either rural community. Our results suggest that the damages caused by pesticides in our study area were not great enough to induce permanent mutations or to interfere with mitotic apparatus formation; minimal pesticide damages could have undergone cellular repair, explaining the absence of structural and numerical CAs. Analyses of water from the reservoir that serves as a source for irrigation of crops and supplies the cities of the region did not detect contamination by pesticides.

Die E-Zigarette gewinnt in den letzten Jahren immer mehr an Popularität. Die Frage der Toxizität ist jedoch noch nicht abschließend geklärt, und es besteht weltweite Unsicherheit bei der Verwendung der E-Zigarette. Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht menschliche Nasenschleimhautzellen nach Dampfexposition mit Propylenglykol, einem Hauptbestandteil der Liquide, auf mögliche akute Entzündungsreaktionen, zytotoxische und genotoxische Wirkungen. Die Nasenschleimhautzellen von 10 Probanden wurden im Air-Liquid-Interface kultiviert und anschließend verschiedenen Konzentrationen von Propylenglykol ausgesetzt. Die Analyse erfolgte unter Verwendung eines Trypanblau-Tests, eines Comet-Assays, eines Mikrokern-Tests und eines IL-6- und IL-8-Sandwich-ELISAs. Der Trypanblau-Test zeigte keine Reduktion der Vitalität. Im Sandwich-ELISA konnte kein Anstieg der IL-6- und IL-8-Konzentrationen festgestellt werden. Im Comet-Assay zeigte das Olive Tail Moment in allen untersuchten Konzentrationen eine Schädigung im Vergleich zur Negativkontrolle. Es zeigte sich auch eine dosisabhängige Schädigung. Ein Unterschied zwischen der Reinsubstanz und der Negativkontrolle konnte im Mikrokern-Test festgestellt werden. Es wurden reparierbare Schäden im Comet-Assay gefunden. Im Mikrokern-Test konnten diese nur in der Reinsubstanzkonzentration bestätigt werden. Die E-Zigarette sollte restriktiv verwendet werden, bis Langzeitstudien vorliegen. Darüber hinaus sollten die Hersteller die Inhaltsstoffe der Flüssigkeiten eindeutig angeben. / The e-cigarette has become increasingly popular in recent years. However, the question of toxicity has not yet been clarified and there is global uncertainty in the use of the e-cigarette. The present work investigates propylene glycol, a major component of the liquids, for possible acute inflammatory reactions, cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on human nasal mucosal cells. The nasal mucosal cells from 10 volunteers were cultivated in the air-liquid-interface and then exposed to different concentrations of propylene glycol. The analysis was carried out using a trypan blue test, comet assay, micronucleus test and IL-6 and IL-8 sandwich-ELISA. The trypan blue test showed no reduction in vitality. No increase in IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations could be detected in the sandwich ELISA. In the comet assay, the Olive Tail Moment showed damage compared to the negative control in all examined concentrations. There was also a dose-dependent damage. A difference between the pure substance and the negative control could be found in the micronucleus test. Repairable damage in the comet assay have been found. In the micronucleus test these could only be confirmed in the pure substance concentration. The e-cigarette should be used restrictively until long-term studies are available. In addition, the manufacturers should clearly declare the ingredients of the liquids.

NO / Reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) are produced in the skin under the influence of UV radiation. These compounds are highly reactive and can induce DNA lesions in epidermal cells. Melanin is considered to protect human skin against DNA damage by absorbing UV radiation. We have investigated whether melanin can, in addition, offer protection against the effects of H2O2 in human melanocytes and HaCaT keratinocytes. In the present study, it was shown that 40 and 100 μM H2O2 increased the number of DNA strand breaks as measured using the comet assay, in melanocytes of Caucasian origin. In melanocytes of the same origin in which melanin levels were increased by culturing in presence of 10 mM NH4Cl and elevated l-tyrosine, H2O2-induced DNA damage was reduced compared to that in control melanocytes. Similarly, HaCaT cells that were loaded with melanin were better protected against H2O2-induced DNA strand breaks than control HaCaT cells. These protective effects of melanin were mimicked by the intracellular Ca2+-chelator BAPTA. Thus, BAPTA reduced the level of H2O2-induced DNA strand breaks in melanocytes. Like BAPTA, melanin is known to be a potent chelator of Ca2+ and this was confirmed in the present study. It was shown that melanin levels in melanocytic cells correlated directly with intracellular Ca2+ binding capacity and, in addition, correlated inversely with H2O2-induced increases in intracellular Ca2+. Our results show that melanin may have an important role in regulating intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis and it is suggested that melanin protects against H2O2-induced DNA strand breaks in both melanocytes and keratinocytes and through its ability to bind Ca2+.

No / Numerous factors may influence the incidence of diabetes in the population. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is elevated in diabetes patients. Based on the reported involvement of reactive species and nitrate/nitrite in diabetes, this present study has examined in the alkaline Comet assay, the effect of different levels of NaNO2 in the presence of the oxygen radical generating agent, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Peripheral lymphocytes from diabetic and non-diabetic Caucasians and Asians of both sexes were studied in vitro. Endogenous factors (e.g., sex, age, body mass index-BMI) and exogenous factors (lifestyle factors e.g., smoking and drinking habits, diet) were taken into account. A preliminary study in two individuals showed that DNA damage remained constant over a wide dose range of NaNO2 (1-75 mM), but when H2O2 was added at a constant concentration of 50 ¿M per dose of NaNO2, there was an increase in DNA damage corresponding with the varying levels of NaNO2 investigated. This was also seen with the 44 individuals (non-diabetic, n = 24; type 1 diabetic, n = 11; type 2 diabetic, n = 9) investigated. NaNO2 was capable of inducing a significant level of DNA damage in lymphocytes (p<0.001), but only with the addition of H2O2. When levels of DNA damage were analysed in terms of the different variables there were few significant differences in damage between diabetic and non-diabetic subjects, or other sub-population groups, and no statistically significant differences in susceptibility were observed between subject covariates using regression techniques.

No / Telomerase-targeted strategies have aroused recent interest in anti-cancer chemotherapy, because DNA-binding drugs can interact with high-order tetraplex rather than double-stranded (duplex) DNA targets in tumour cells. However, the protracted cell-drug exposure times necessary for clinical application require that telomerase inhibitory efficacy must be accompanied by both low inherent cytotoxicity and the absence of mutagenicity/genotoxicity. For the first time, the genotoxicity of a number of structurally diverse DNA-interactive telomerase inhibitors is examined in the Ames test using six Salmonella typhimurium bacterial strains (TA1535, TA1537, TA1538, TA98, TA100, and TA102). DNA damage induced by each agent was also assessed using the Comet assay with human lymphocytes. The two assay procedures revealed markedly different genotoxicity profiles that are likely to reflect differences in metabolism and/or DNA repair between bacterial and mammalian cells. The mutational spectrum for a biologically active fluorenone derivative, shown to be mutagenic in the TA100 strain, was characterised using a novel and rapid assay method based upon PCR amplification of a fragment of the hisG46 allele, followed by RFLP analysis. Preliminary analysis indicates that the majority (84%) of mutations induced by this compound are C→A transversions at position 2 of the missense proline codon of the hisG46 allele. However, despite its genotoxic bacterial profile, this fluorenone agent gave a negative response in the Comet assay, and demonstrates how unwanted systemic effects (e.g., cytotoxicity and genotoxicity) can be prevented or ameliorated through suitable molecular fine-tuning of a candidate drug in targeted human tumour cells. / CAEB, Balearic Islands and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Yes / Genotoxic compounds have induced DNA damage in male germ cells and have been associated with adverse clinical outcomes including enhanced risks for maternal, paternal and offspring health. DNA strand breaks represent a great threat to the genomic integrity of germ cells. Such integrity is essential to maintain spermatogenesis and prevent reproduction failure. The Comet assay results revealed that the incubation of isolated germ cells with n-ethyl-n-nitrosourea (ENU), 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) and methyl methanesulphonate (MMS) led to increase in length of Olive tail moment and % tail DNA when compared with the untreated control cells and these effects were concentration-dependent. All compounds were significantly genotoxic in cultured germ cells. Exposure of isolated germ cells to ENU produced the highest concentration-related increase in both DNA damage and gene expression changes in spermatogonia. Spermatocytes were most sensitive to 6-MP, with DNA damage and gene expression changes while spermatids were particularly susceptible to MMS. Real-time PCR results showed that the mRNA level expression of p53 increased and bcl-2 decreased significantly with the increasing ENU, 6-MP and MMS concentrations in spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids respectively for 24 hr. Both are gene targets for DNA damage response and apoptosis. These observations may help explain the cell alterations caused by ENU, 6-MP and MMS in spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids. Taken together, ENU, 6-MP and MMS induced DNA damage and decreased apoptosis associated gene expression in the germ cells in vitro. / Libyan Government

Yes / Regular use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be protective against tumours, including breast cancer. We have studied the effects of ibuprofen and aspirin on DNA damage in lymphocytes obtained from breast cancer patients and healthy female controls. Both nanoparticle (NPs) and bulk formulations were used in the comet and micronucleus (MN) assays. Non-toxic doses (250 ng/ml ibuprofen; 500 ng/ml aspirin) were tested. Aspirin, both bulk and nano formulations, significantly reduced DNA damage measured with the comet and micronucleus assays; the nano formulation was more effective. Ibuprofen was not effective in the comet assay but showed a significant reduction in MN frequency, with the nano formulation being more effective. NPs may have better penetration through the nuclear membrane relative to the bulk formulation. NSAIDs such as aspirin and ibuprofen may have a promising role in cancer prevention and treatment. / LIBYAN GOVERNMENT

Yes / Our previous case-control study observed isolated lymphocytes from 208 individuals and determined the differences in the sensitivity to genomic damage of lymphocytes derived from cancer patients, pre/suspect cancer patients and healthy volunteers using the Comet assay (Anderson et al, 2014). We adapted the LGS technique using a slightly different method and examined 700 more blood samples from 598 patients with cancer or suspected cancer and 102 healthy individuals. To help increase the sensitivity of the test and detect cancer at the level of each individual, we joined with the IMSTAR team who analysed our cells with their fully automated Pathfinder™ cell reader-analyser system. With this reading and analysis system 4,000 to 10,000 cells were able to be read per slide. The new test which is called TumorScan is a highly sensitive test to detect any cancer at an early stage through the response of the white blood cells to UV treatment. These patient blood samples have also been collected at the stage before confirming diagnosis and treatment. There were four of these individuals with cancer who had received anti-cancer treatment. The results from these patients showed a reverse pattern compared to non-treated cancer patients and followed the pattern seen in healthy individuals. The results are consistent with the early results as reported in the above 2014 paper. Given the results from these samples were in a particularly challenging subgroup, whose cancer status was difficult to distinguish, the data suggest that the technique using the TumorScan system could exceed the area under the ROC curve >93% obtained in the earlier study on a group basis, whereas this present study was to detect cancer at an early stage in each individual. / Department of Research and Knowledge Transfer at the University of Bradford, Bradford, UK