The primary aim of this thesis was to establish the mode of action of the heavy metal, copper, on the cardiac physiology of the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis. Exposure of specimens of M.edulis to dissolved copper led to a decrease in heart rate and an increase in heart rate variability (HRV). The concentration of copper causing a 50% reduction in heart rate was found to be 0.8µM, while the concentration causing a 50% increase in HRV was 0.06µM (48 h EC50s). Simultaneous measurements of valve activity indicated that the observed bradycardia was not caused by valve closure. Subsequently, it was considered that copper might directly affect cardiac physiology by disrupting important cellular functions of the heart. Four different ionic currents were identified and characterised in M.edulis ventricular myocytes: two outward potassium currents, a sodium current and a calcium conductance. Copper ions had no effect on the ionic currents of M.edulis heart cells at concentrations shown to inhibit the cardiac activity of whole animals. Clearly, the bradycardia measured in whole animals was not due to a change in the configuration of the ventricular action potential. It was recognised that copper could still directly affect cardiac physiology in mussels by altering excitation-contraction coupling, contractile protein function or myocardial energy production. To determine whether this was the case, recordings of heart contractions from isolated ventricular strips were made using an isometric force transducer. Using isolated strips, inhibition of cardiac activity was only induced by exposure to copper concentrations ≥1 mM. Thus, the fall in heart rate measured in the whole animals dosed with copper could not be attributed to direct cardiomyopathy. Control of the. beating of M. edulis heart is known to be exercised by nerves from the visceral ganglion (VG) that contains both excitatory and inhibitory fibres. Following the removal of the VG (in vivo), exposure to copper had no effect on the heart rate of whole animals as occurred in the initial experiments. This suggests that copper affects the heart rate in M.edulis via a neuronal pathway. The principal cardioexcitatory and cardioinhibitory transmitters in molluscs are thought to be serotonin and acetylcholine, respectively, The effect of copper on the heart rate of M.edulis could not be abolished by depletion of the monoamine content of the animal using reserpine. However, pre-treatment of mussels with α-bungarotoxin considerably reduced the sensitivity of the heart to copper. These results indicated that the influence of copper on the heart of M.edulis might be mediated by a change in the activity of cholinergic nerves to the heart. Acetylcholine is known to have a biphasic action on the heart of M.edulis, low doses depress and high doses excite (the endpoint of both responses resulting in a cessation of the heart beat). In the final experiments of this series, mussels were injected with either benzoquinonium or D-tubocurarine, prior to copper exposure, in an attempt to selectively block the inhibitory or excitatory cholinoreceptors of the heart. Only benzoquinoniuin decreased the susceptibility of the heart to copper, suggesting that copper affects the cardiac activity of blue mussels by stimulating inhibitory cholinergic nerves to the heart. It is suggested that there may be a chemosensory mechanism present in mussels which responds to increased levels of metals in seawater leading to changes in a number of physiological functions. The last result chapter of this thesis examined the effects of the organophosphorous pesticide, dimethoate, on cardiac and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the common shore crab Carcinus maenas. Cardiac activity was measured non-invasively before and during dimethoate exposure. Heart rates decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. Serial measurements of AChE activity in haemolymph samples taken from crabs before and after exposure indicated that 2 mg 1ˉ¹ dimethoate also significantly reduced AChE activity. The percentage inhibition in AChE activity was correlated with the percentage reduction in heart rate following dimethoate exposure. This suggests that organophosphates may directly affect neuronal control of the heart. These experiments indicate that non-destructive, serial measurements of cardiac activity and AChE activity are valuable biomarkers of organophosphate exposure and adverse effects.

No description available.

Em 2006 foi realizado um estudo preliminar para avaliar a exposição a metais em pescadores do Alto São Francisco, no estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Os pescadores das cidades de Três Marias, principal foco de pesquisa, e Morada Nova de Minas, como controle, foram avaliados sob o ponto de vista clínico e laboratorial, através de exames bioquímicos e dosagens de Pb-S, Cd-V, As-V, Zn-V e Mn-V. Os resultados das avaliações apresentaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas para o zinco e o arsênio, entre os dois grupos avaliados. Para o chumbo e o manganês, as diferenças não foram, estatisticamente, relevantes. Para o cádmio os dados foram idênticos para ambas populações. Embora os estudos para verificar a contaminação por metais tenham sido feitos, ainda não há evidências de comprometimento da saúde dos pescadores pela contaminação de metais. / A preliminar study to estimate the exposure to metals by fishermen at the High San Francisco River area in Minas Gerais State, in Brazil, had been accomplished in 2006. The fishemen at Tres Marias and Morada Nova county in Minas Gerais State (used a control group), had been evaluated under a clinical and laboratorial point ofview, through a biochemical analysis and Pb-B; Cd -D, As -D, ZnD and Mn-D determinations. The results apparently presented a significant statistical differences related to Zinc and Arsenic among the evaluated fisherman groups. It was not found statistically relevant differences for Manganese and Lead. For urinary Cd, the results were identical at both cities. Although the possibility of exposure by those metals have been studied, there are no evidences of fishermen\'s health implications yet.

Em 2006 foi realizado um estudo preliminar para avaliar a exposição a metais em pescadores do Alto São Francisco, no estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Os pescadores das cidades de Três Marias, principal foco de pesquisa, e Morada Nova de Minas, como controle, foram avaliados sob o ponto de vista clínico e laboratorial, através de exames bioquímicos e dosagens de Pb-S, Cd-V, As-V, Zn-V e Mn-V. Os resultados das avaliações apresentaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas para o zinco e o arsênio, entre os dois grupos avaliados. Para o chumbo e o manganês, as diferenças não foram, estatisticamente, relevantes. Para o cádmio os dados foram idênticos para ambas populações. Embora os estudos para verificar a contaminação por metais tenham sido feitos, ainda não há evidências de comprometimento da saúde dos pescadores pela contaminação de metais. / A preliminar study to estimate the exposure to metals by fishermen at the High San Francisco River area in Minas Gerais State, in Brazil, had been accomplished in 2006. The fishemen at Tres Marias and Morada Nova county in Minas Gerais State (used a control group), had been evaluated under a clinical and laboratorial point ofview, through a biochemical analysis and Pb-B; Cd -D, As -D, ZnD and Mn-D determinations. The results apparently presented a significant statistical differences related to Zinc and Arsenic among the evaluated fisherman groups. It was not found statistically relevant differences for Manganese and Lead. For urinary Cd, the results were identical at both cities. Although the possibility of exposure by those metals have been studied, there are no evidences of fishermen\'s health implications yet.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2002. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Doctorat en Sciences / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Este estudo avalia os efeitos adversos na saúde causados pelas variações na composição do material particulado em curtos períodos de tempo. Para tanto, foram determinados Black Carbon (BC), massa e composição elementar do PM2.5 coletado em dois diferentes períodos, Dia e Noite, na cidade de São Paulo. Além das análises químicas, gravimetria, análise de reflectância e espectrometria por fluorescência de Raios-X, foram realizados testes toxicológicos de contagem de micronúcleos utilizando ressuspensão do PM2,5 em raízes de Allium cepa (cebola). O PM2.5 foi amostrado na saída do Concentrador de Partículas Finas Ambientais de Harvard (CPFAH) e as amostras foram coletadas diariamente por quinze dias, entre Maio e Junho (Experimento 1) e entre Outubro e Novembro (Experimento 2) de 2009, durante o Dia (8:00h - 11:00h e 14:00h - 17:00h) e a Noite (20:00h - 23:00h). A variabilidade na composição do PM2.5 foi analizada utilizando o método de componentes principais, por meio da qual foram identificados três fatores significantes: Fator 1, onde encontramos BC e os elementos Ca, Fe, K, Si, Zn e Ti que podem ser característicos da emissão do tráfego veicular em geral; Fator 2 onde encontramos Ni e Cr que podem ser interpretados como resultado das emissões industriais; e o Fator 3 é formado pelos elementos V e S que podem ser característicos das emissões das queimas de diesel e óleo combustível. A análise univariada da contagem dos três fatores mostrou uma diferença significativa somente para o Fator 3 (p=0,022) entre os dois períodos, fazendo-se mais presente no período noturno. A frequência do número de micronúcleos das células de raízes de cebola foi maior para período noturno. Os resultados indicam que existem diferenças na composição e toxicidade do PM2,5 coletado em diferentes períodos na cidade de São Paulo. Os dados sugerem que a toxicidade do PM2,5 pode ser influenciada pelas mudanças nos padrões de tráfego e processos fotoquímicos da atmosfera. / The objective of this study was to evaluate the adverse health effects of shortterm variations in particle composition. For this purpose, black carbon, particle mass and elemental composition of PM2.5 collected along the two different periods in São Paulo city were determined. In addition to the chemical measurements, toxicological evaluation was performed using the Allium cepa micronuclei assay test and particle suspensions of PM2.5 as test substrate. PM2.5 was sampled at the output of the Harvard Ambient Fine Particle Concentrator (HAFPC). The samples were collected daily from May 19th to June 4th (period 1) of 2009, during the morning (from 8 AM to 11 AM), afternoon (from 2 PM to 5 PM), and evening (from 8 PM to 11 PM), and from November 11th (period 2) of 2009, during the morning (from 8 AM to 11 AM), and evening (from 8 PM to 11 PM). Samples collected during the morning and afternoon were called Day and those collected during the evening, EVENING. Concentrations of PM2.5 mass (gravimetric method), black carbon (reflectance analysis) and trace elementals (X-ray fluorescence spectrometry) were determined. Variability in PM2.5 composition measured was analyzed using Principal Components Analysis in which 3 significant factors were identified. Results of black carbon (BC) and of elements Ca, Fe, K, Si, Zn and Ti were grouped in Factor 1, that can be characteristic of general traffic emission; In Factor 2, Ni and Cr were included and it can be interpreted as a result of industry emissions; and Factor 3 is formed by V and S what characterizes diesel/oil combustion emissions. Univariate Analysis of factor scores indicated a significant difference between the periods scores of factor 3 (p=0.022). The frequency of number of micronuclei obtained was also higher in samples collected at the EVENING than those of DAY. In conclusion, our results indicate that there are differences in the composition and toxicity of PM2.5 collected in different periods of the day. These findings suggest that particle toxicity may be influenced by changes in traffic patterns and photochemical processes.

Este estudo avalia os efeitos adversos na saúde causados pelas variações na composição do material particulado em curtos períodos de tempo. Para tanto, foram determinados Black Carbon (BC), massa e composição elementar do PM2.5 coletado em dois diferentes períodos, Dia e Noite, na cidade de São Paulo. Além das análises químicas, gravimetria, análise de reflectância e espectrometria por fluorescência de Raios-X, foram realizados testes toxicológicos de contagem de micronúcleos utilizando ressuspensão do PM2,5 em raízes de Allium cepa (cebola). O PM2.5 foi amostrado na saída do Concentrador de Partículas Finas Ambientais de Harvard (CPFAH) e as amostras foram coletadas diariamente por quinze dias, entre Maio e Junho (Experimento 1) e entre Outubro e Novembro (Experimento 2) de 2009, durante o Dia (8:00h - 11:00h e 14:00h - 17:00h) e a Noite (20:00h - 23:00h). A variabilidade na composição do PM2.5 foi analizada utilizando o método de componentes principais, por meio da qual foram identificados três fatores significantes: Fator 1, onde encontramos BC e os elementos Ca, Fe, K, Si, Zn e Ti que podem ser característicos da emissão do tráfego veicular em geral; Fator 2 onde encontramos Ni e Cr que podem ser interpretados como resultado das emissões industriais; e o Fator 3 é formado pelos elementos V e S que podem ser característicos das emissões das queimas de diesel e óleo combustível. A análise univariada da contagem dos três fatores mostrou uma diferença significativa somente para o Fator 3 (p=0,022) entre os dois períodos, fazendo-se mais presente no período noturno. A frequência do número de micronúcleos das células de raízes de cebola foi maior para período noturno. Os resultados indicam que existem diferenças na composição e toxicidade do PM2,5 coletado em diferentes períodos na cidade de São Paulo. Os dados sugerem que a toxicidade do PM2,5 pode ser influenciada pelas mudanças nos padrões de tráfego e processos fotoquímicos da atmosfera. / The objective of this study was to evaluate the adverse health effects of shortterm variations in particle composition. For this purpose, black carbon, particle mass and elemental composition of PM2.5 collected along the two different periods in São Paulo city were determined. In addition to the chemical measurements, toxicological evaluation was performed using the Allium cepa micronuclei assay test and particle suspensions of PM2.5 as test substrate. PM2.5 was sampled at the output of the Harvard Ambient Fine Particle Concentrator (HAFPC). The samples were collected daily from May 19th to June 4th (period 1) of 2009, during the morning (from 8 AM to 11 AM), afternoon (from 2 PM to 5 PM), and evening (from 8 PM to 11 PM), and from November 11th (period 2) of 2009, during the morning (from 8 AM to 11 AM), and evening (from 8 PM to 11 PM). Samples collected during the morning and afternoon were called Day and those collected during the evening, EVENING. Concentrations of PM2.5 mass (gravimetric method), black carbon (reflectance analysis) and trace elementals (X-ray fluorescence spectrometry) were determined. Variability in PM2.5 composition measured was analyzed using Principal Components Analysis in which 3 significant factors were identified. Results of black carbon (BC) and of elements Ca, Fe, K, Si, Zn and Ti were grouped in Factor 1, that can be characteristic of general traffic emission; In Factor 2, Ni and Cr were included and it can be interpreted as a result of industry emissions; and Factor 3 is formed by V and S what characterizes diesel/oil combustion emissions. Univariate Analysis of factor scores indicated a significant difference between the periods scores of factor 3 (p=0.022). The frequency of number of micronuclei obtained was also higher in samples collected at the EVENING than those of DAY. In conclusion, our results indicate that there are differences in the composition and toxicity of PM2.5 collected in different periods of the day. These findings suggest that particle toxicity may be influenced by changes in traffic patterns and photochemical processes.

Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34 is a Gram-negative & / Doctorat en Sciences agronomiques et ingénierie biologique / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished