scholarly journals Genetic Alterations in Pesticide Exposed Bolivian Farmers An evaluation by analysis of chromosomal aberrations and the comet assay

2007 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 117727190700200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik Jørs ◽  
Ana Rosa Gonzáles ◽  
Maria Eugenia Ascarrunz ◽  
Noemi Tirado ◽  
Catharina Takahashi ◽  
...  

Background Pesticides are of concern in Bolivia because of increasing use. Frequent intoxications have been demonstrated due to use of very toxic pesticides, insufficient control of distribution and sale and little knowledge among farmers of protective measures and hygienic procedures. Method Questionnaires were applied and blood tests taken from 81 volunteers from La Paz County, of whom 48 were pesticide exposed farmers and 33 non-exposed controls. Sixty males and 21 females participated with a mean age of 37.3 years (range 17–76). Data of exposure and possible genetic damage were collected and evaluated by well known statistical methods, controlling for relevant confounders. To measure genetic damage chromosomal aberrations and the comet assay analysis were performed. Results Pesticide exposed farmers had a higher degree of genetic damage compared to the control group. The number of chromosomal aberrations increased with the intensity of pesticide exposure. Females had a lower number of chromosomal aberrations than males, and people living at altitudes above 2500 metres seemed to exhibit more DNA damage measured by the comet assay. Conclusions Bolivian farmers showed signs of genotoxic damage, probably related to exposure to pesticides. Due to the potentially negative long term health effects of genetic damage on reproduction and the development of cancer, preventive measures are recommended. Effective control with imports and sales, banning of the most toxic pesticides, education and information are possible measures, which could help preventing the negative effects of pesticides on human health and the environment.

2018 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 115-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Puthan Variyam Vidya ◽  
Kumari Chidambaran Chitra

Abstract The purpose of the present study is to extend knowledge on the adverse effects of nanoparticles by evaluating genotoxicity as environmental risk assessment in Oreochromis mossambicus. Fish were exposed to sublethal concentrations of the selected nanoparticles, namely silicon dioxide (SiO2NPs-12mg/L), aluminium oxide (Al2O3NPs-4mg/L), titanium dioxide (TiO2NPs-16.4mg/L) and iron oxide (Fe3O4NPs-15mg/L) for short-term (24, 72 and 96 h) and long-term durations (15, 30 and 60 days). Genetic damages such as cytoplasmic, nuclear and DNA damage were measured in the erythrocytes of fish by using standard genotoxicity tests such as micronucleus test and comet assay. The frequencies of micronuclei along with nuclear and cytoplasmic abnormalities were scored and compared with the control group. The intensity of micronuclei along with other nuclear and cytoplasmic anomalies are found to be increased significantly (p<0.05) in time-dependent manner in all exposure groups when compared to the control group, thereby indicating chromosomal damage as a result of contact with nanoparticles. The tail length and percent of tail DNA within the comet significantly (p<0.05) increased in time-dependant manner after exposure to all nanoparticles, demonstrating an increase in DNA damage. Taken together, by using micronucleus test and comet assay, it is evident that the selected nanoparticles at sublethal concentrations induced genetic damage in Oreochromis mossambicus.


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 640-647 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey C. Jolley ◽  
Christina T. Uh ◽  
Gregory S. Silver ◽  
Timothy A. Whitesel

Abstract Native lamprey populations are declining worldwide. In the Pacific Northwest focus on conservation and management of these ecologically and culturally important species has increased. Concern has emerged regarding the effects of sampling and handling of lamprey, with little to no attention given to the larval lifestage. We monitored the survival of larval Pacific Lamprey Entosphenus tridentatus and Lampetra spp. after backpack electrofishing, deepwater electrofishing and suction-pumping, anesthesia, and handling. We performed survival trials on wild-caught lamprey (n = 15 larvae in each trial) collected from the Clackamas River drainage in Oregon, USA, coupled with control group trials from lamprey sourced from a hatchery (n = 10 larvae). Short-term (96 h) survival was &gt;98% with only one observed mortality. Delayed mortality (1 wk) was observed for four individuals that had fungus; two of those were positive for the bacteria Aeromonas hyrdrophila. We recorded blood hematocrit as a secondary measure of stress. The baseline, nonstressed larvae hematocrit levels did not differ from those of fish that had undergone stress through electrofishing, suction-pumping, and handling without anesthesia. Electrofishing, suction-pumping, and anesthesia showed no short-term negative effects on larval lamprey although potential long-term effects remain unstudied. These techniques appear to provide efficient and relatively safe methods for collecting and surveying larval lamprey.


2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (6) ◽  
pp. 39-49
Author(s):  
M. A. Dudina ◽  
S. A. Dogadin ◽  
A. A. Savchenko ◽  
V. D. Belenyuk

BACKGROUND: Effective control of autoimmune inflammation in Graves’ disease determines necessity to study the T helper (Th) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes dysfunction, as well as the level of regulatory T-cells (Treg) activation in patients with Graves’ disease on thyrostatic medication, which will clarify the immunomodulatory effects of long-term thiamazole treatment serve as targets for more specific therapies.AIM: To study the phenotypic composition of T-lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of patients with Graves’ disease to assess the direction of immune response depending on thimazole-induced euthyroidism duration.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center, cohort, continuous, open-label, controlled trial was conducted to assess the phenotypic composition of T-lymphocytes in peripheral blood in women with Graves’ disease on long-term thiamazole treatment. The phenotypic composition of T-lymphocytes was determined by flow cytometry using direct immunofluorescence with conjugated FITC monoclonal antibodies depending on the duration of thimazole-induced euthyroidism of long-term thiamazole treatment.RESULTS: The study included 135 women with Graves’ disease, mean age 43.09±12.81 years, 120 (88.91%) with a relapse of the disease and 15 (11.09%) with newly diagnosed hyperthyroidism. An increase of activated CD3+CD4+CD25+ was found in patients with Graves’ disease with a duration of thimazole-induced euthyroidism 5–8 months and 9–12 months, respectively, Me=0.94 (0.48–1.45), p=0.020) and Me=0.95 (0.41–1.80), p=0.025), in control group — Me=0.12 (0.03–0.68). Compared to the control an increase of CD4+CD25+CD127Low (Treg) was found in patients with a duration of thimazole-induced euthyroidism 5–8 and 9–12 months. The content of Treg in peripheral blood in Graves’ disease patients with a duration of thimazole-induced euthyroidism more than 12 months decreases, but remains elevated relative to the control.CONCLUSION: In patients with Graves’ disease with a duration of thimazole-induced euthyroidism 5–8 months and 9–12 months the level of Treg has been increased. The increase of activated Th (CD3+CD4+CD25+) persists independently of thimazole-induced euthyroidism. In patients with Graves’ disease with a duration of thimazole-induced euthyroidism for more than 12 months, there is a compensatory increase in regulatory T-lymphocyte, and the total number of T-helpers is restored to the control.


2004 ◽  
Vol 44 (8) ◽  
pp. 755
Author(s):  
G. Bortolussi ◽  
A. R. Bird ◽  
C. L. Playford ◽  
J. Moore

Ninety young Merino ewes, depastured on Mitchell (Astrebla spp.) grass pastures in North West Queensland, were used in a hormonal growth promotant implantation study. The ewes were given 1 implant of Compudose, Ralgro, Revalor or Synovex-H, either at lamb marking (mid-dry season) or the start of the following summer wet season, which was ~180 days post-marking. The hormonal growth promotant implanted groups had greater (P<0.05) liveweights than the control group early in the trial (days 22 and 57) and also from the end of the period of activity of the wet season implant (day 277) until the middle of the dry season (day 412). Dry season (at lamb marking) implantation did not improve average daily gain. From the end of the wet season onwards, ewes with a wet season implant were heavier (P<0.05) than those ewes implanted at lamb marking. This liveweight advantage had diminished by the start of the autumn mating. Hormonal growth promotant implantation had a favourable (P<0.05) effect on growth rate, but adversely affected reproduction in the ewes, regardless of time of implantation. Implantation with Compudose or Synovex-H significantly (P<0.001) reduced the demonstration of oestrus, while Revalor or Synovex-H reduced pregnancy rates by up to 100%. Despite Ralgro reducing these variables by up to 25%, its effect was not significant. All ewes that were diagnosed as pregnant at 140 days later produced lambs. It was concluded from this study that hormonal growth promotant implantation at lamb marking provides no later-life advantage, while wet season implantation provides a growth or liveweight advantage to young Merino ewes and this persists for a long period after implantation. Despite the lack of an effect of Ralgro on oestrus and pregnancy results, however, implantation of young breeding ewes of any age should not be carried out, due to the long term and negative effects on reproductive performance. Wet season implantation may be best used for animals intended for slaughter.


1981 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 329-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
James N. Schubert

Does food aid enhance or diminish the nutritional status of recipient populations in less developed countries? In proposing that the long-term impact is negative, critics have argued that aid depresses local food production, is maldistributed and mismanaged such that it does not reach the needy in sufficient quantities, or, where effective, that aid merely reduces the death rate relative to the birth rate, permitting more people to survive at the margin of existence. This study explores the long-term impact of U.S. Public Law 480 food aid through a crossnational analysis of aggregate data on aid receipts and change in nutritional status over the period from 1962 through 1974. Alternative hypotheses are tested through least squares methods and.mean difference tests in the framework of a nonequivalent control group, quasi-experimental design. This study supports the following generalizations: food aid is significantly related with improved nutritional status; the greater the aid, the greater the improvement in nutrition; higher aid recipients do not have significantly lower rates of growth in domestic food production; higher aid recipients do not have higher rates of population growth; and food aid may lead to greater meat consumption among higher aid recipients. Negative effects, experienced in some countries at some times, are not systematically incurred by all food aid recipients over time. In general, food aid does improve nutrition.


2010 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 297-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Madrigal-Bujaidar ◽  
Y. Cárdenas García ◽  
I. Álvarez-González

Imipramine (IMI) and desipramine (DES) are two drugs widely used for the treatment of depression as well as for other diseases. In the present study, we determined their capacity to induce chromosomal aberrations in mouse bone marrow cells. Three doses of each compound were tested and their results were compared with the frequency of chromosomal aberrations obtained in a control group as well as with a group treated with cyclophosphamide. Our results showed a significant increase in chromosome damage with the doses tested for each compound: 7, 20, and 60 mg/kg in the case of IMI, and 2, 20, and 60 mg/kg as regards DES. This last drug induced stronger chromosomal damage than IMI. Our results agree with previous studies regarding the induction of micronuclei and sister chromatid exchanges by the drugs in mouse and suggest caution with respect to their use in long-term treatments.


Author(s):  
Prakash B. Behere ◽  
Amit B. Nagdive ◽  
Aniruddh P. Behere ◽  
Richa Yadav ◽  
Rouchelle Fernandes

Abstract Background This study aims to evaluate association between suicidal ideation and pesticide exposure in rural communities of Wardha district of Central rural India compared with villagers who are not exposed to it. Method It was a cross-sectional study done in rural community of Wardha district in Central India. About 100 farmers who were exposed to pesticides and 100 controls who were not exposed to pesticides were included. A Semistructured proforma to record sociodemographic variables and Indian version of the Self Reporting Questionnaire-20 was used. Results Of these 200 subjects, data were available for 85 farmers in study group and 74 in control group. In the farmers group, 31% of farmers had suicidal ideas, while 8% of controls felt like ending their life. Conclusion Measures must be taken to store pesticides at a safer place thus reducing long-term exposure. Organic farming is a better choice to avoid suicidal ideas.


2004 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 270-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Margarete Cestari ◽  
Priscilla Maria M. Lemos ◽  
Ciro Alberto de Oliveira Ribeiro ◽  
João Ricardo M. Alves Costa ◽  
Emilien Pelletier ◽  
...  

1999 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Planells ◽  
Rivero ◽  
Mataix ◽  
Llopis

Epidemiological studies have reported that Western diets are often deficient in Mg. We investigated the ability of a cocoa-derived product, used in some European countries as a dietary complement added to milk, to aid recovery from chronic Mg deficiency in rats. The animals were divided into three groups, each of which received a different amount of dietary Mg. Rats in the Mg-deficient (D) group received an Mg-deficient diet (0.225 g Mg/kg food) during 8 weeks. In the cocoa-supplement group (D+ CC), the rats consumed the Mg-deficient diet for 5 weeks, and were then switched for 3 further weeks to the same diet supplemented with 3% (wt/wt) cocoa product, so that the Mg content of the diet was 0.27 g/kg food. Rats in the control group (C) were given the same diet as in group D, except that the amount of Mg was 0.56 g Mg/kg food. We measured the concentration of Mg, Ca and P from ten rats in plasma, whole blood, skeletal muscle, heart, kidney and femur in rats that were fed the diets for 35, 42, 49 or 56 days. In animal fed the cocoa-supplemented diet (D + CC) significant improvements were found between days 35 and 56 in the alterations in Mg, Ca and P caused by Mg deficiency in all tissues studied. On day 56, kidney and bone concentrations of Mg and Ca had returned to normal. Our findings show that the habitual use of the cocoa product as a dietary supplement favors correction of the negative effects of long-term feeding with a diet moderately deficient in Mg.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Gao ◽  
Guanghui Xu

Clubroot disease, caused byPlasmodiophora brassicae, is a serious soil-borne disease of crucifer worldwide, and it can significantly reduce yield and quality. Although some agrochemicals have been used to manage clubroot and can provide effective control, increasing use of chemical inputs causes several negative effects. In this study, using Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapaL. subsp.chinensis) as the test crop, we developed an effective nonchemical method that would protect the roots againstP. brassicaeinfection by using a combination heat treatment and a cocktail of biocontrol agents. The data showed that this method could cause 91.7% inhibition ofP. brassicaeinfection. The average height of plants (13.5 cm) using this method was about twice higher than that in control group (6.7 cm), and the average plant weight (3.19 g) was about three times increased compared to that in control set (1.23 g).


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