Direct synthesis and morphological characterization of gold-dendrimer nanocomposites prepared using PAMAM succinamic acid dendrimers: preliminary study of the calcification potential.

Gold-dendrimer nanocomposites were obtained for the first time by a simple colloidal approach based on the use of polyamidoamine dendrimers with succinamic acid terminal groups and dodecanediamine core. Spherical and highly crystalline nanoparticles with dimensions between 3 nm and 60 nm, and size-polydispersity depending on the synthesis conditions, have been generated. The influence of the stoichiometric ratio and the structural and architectural features of the dendrimers on the properties of the nanocomposites has been described. The self-assembling behaviour of these materials produces gold-dendrimer nanostructured porous networks with variable density, porosity, and composition. The investigations of the reaction systems, by TEM, at two postsynthesis moments, allowed to preliminary establish the control over the properties of the nanocomposite products. Furthermore, this study allowed better understanding of the mechanism of nanocomposite generation. Impressively, in the early stages of the synthesis, the organization of gold inside the dendrimer molecules has been evidenced by micrographs. Growth and ripening mechanisms further lead to nanoparticles with typical characteristics. The potential of such nanocomposite particles to induce calcification when coating a polymer substrate was also investigated.

Assessment of essential and nonessential metals and different metal exposure biomarkers in the human placenta in a population from the south of Portugal.

The general population is exposed to metals as trace amounts of metallic compounds are present in air, water, and food. Information on background exposures and biomarker concentrations of environmental chemicals in the general Portuguese population is limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the levels of important nonessential metals with recognized toxicity cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) and essential metals copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), and zinc (Zn) in placentas of mothers living in south Portugal (Algarve). Due to the difficulty in establishing the effects of chemicals in a complex and variable environment, this study also aimed to examine the response of biomarkers, such as biochemical changes that occurs at subcellular levels in the presence of contaminants. The investigated biomarkers in placentas indicative of metal exposure or damage included the metallothioneins (MT), delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) (specific for Pb), and lipid peroxidation (LPO) as an index of oxidative stress damage. Moreover, HJ-BIPLOT was applied in order to identify and categorize mothers vulnerable to environmental contamination in this region. Metal concentrations in the placenta were not excessive but within the range found in most European studies. In general, the biomarkers MT and LPO were positively correlated with metal levels, while with ALAD the opposite occurred, indicating the selected battery of biomarkers were suitable to study the effects of metals on human placenta. Further, the application of multivariate analysis with HJ-BIPLOT showed that most significant factors contributing to maternal and fetal exposures via placenta were dietary and smoking habits.

Evaluation of oxidative DNA lesions in plasma and nuclear abnormalities in erythrocytes of wild fish (Liza aurata) as an integrated approach to genotoxicity assessment.

Genetic lesions (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and erythrocytic nuclear abnormalities (ENA) were seasonally quantified in the blood of Liza aurata caught at Ria de Aveiro (Portugal), a multi-contaminated aquatic system. Thus, five critical sites were assessed and compared with a reference site (Torreira). Oxidative DNA damage was found in Gafanha (harbour-water area), Laranjo (metal-contaminated) and Vagos (contaminated with PAHs) in the spring; Rio Novo do Principe (near a former paper-mill effluent) in the autumn; Rio Novo do Principe and Vagos in the winter. ENA were higher than Torreira at VAG (spring and winter). Torreira did not display seasonal variation neither in terms of 8-OHdG or total ENA. A positive correlation between 8-OHdG and ENA was found, suggesting oxidative stress as a mechanism involved in the formation of ENA. This study clearly demonstrates the presence of DNA-damaging substances in Ria de Aveiro and recommends the use of 8-OHdG and ENA as biomarkers of environmental contamination.

Golden grey mullet and sea bass oxidative DNA damage and clastogenic/aneugenic responses in a contaminated coastal lagoon.

Several xenobiotics or their metabolites have redox-cycling properties and potential to induce oxidative stress and DNA damage. The current work aimed to study, under environmental conditions, oxidative DNA damage (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)) and its association with chromosomal damage measured as erythrocytic nuclear abnormalities (ENAs), in Liza aurata and Dicentrarchus labrax, caught at a costal lagoon (Ria de Aveiro, Portugal) having sites with different contamination profiles. The quantified parameters were also used to assess the lagoon's environmental status. Five critical sites were assessed comparing to a reference site. L. aurata displayed higher 8-OHdG levels and ENAs frequency, respectively, at Laranjo and Vagos. D. labrax 8-OHdG levels were higher at the sites where quantification was possible whereas no differences were found in terms of ENAs. No correlation was found in both species between 8-OHdG and ENAs. Despite no direct linkage between the two biomarkers was found, this study demonstrates species and site dependent genotoxic responses.

Metallothionein role in the kinetic model of copper accumulation and elimination in the clam Ruditapes decussatus.

In order to clarify the role of metallothioneins (MT) in copper (Cu) toxicity, this work aimed to assess the involvement of this protein in the accumulation and elimination strategies of Cu in the clam Ruditapes decussatus exposed to two sublethal concentrations (25 and 50 microgCul(-1)). The behaviour of MT in three different tissues of clams during the accumulation and depuration processes was also followed by gel-filtration chromatography to assess if Cu was bound to MT or to other cytosolic components. The 96 h LC50 for water-borne copper was 715 microgL(-1) in R. decussatus. The Cu accumulation pattern was dependent on Cu exposure concentrations. In clams exposed to 25 microgl(-1), total Cu accumulation in the three tissues increased linearly during the exposure period, while in those exposed to 50 microgl(-1) it followed the first order kinetic model. The greatest amount of Cu accumulated in all tissues is associated to the low molecular weight cytosolic fraction (>50%). The chromatographic assay indicated that Cu in the cytosolic fraction is bound to MT and MT levels increase with the increase of Cu exposure confirming the binding affinity of Cu to MT in all tissues. However, a smaller percentage of Cu seems to be bond to other ligands, such as GSH. Copper was exponentially eliminated (only studied in clams exposed to 25 microgl(-1)) and the estimated half-life was tissue dependent (9, 5 and 14 days for the gills, digestive gland and remaining tissues, respectively). Copper bound to the thermostable compounds was eliminated more quickly (t(1/2)=4-7 days) in all tissues than those bound to the thermolabile compounds (t(1/2)=7-18 days). Interestingly, MT is rapidly degraded (t(1/2)=7 and 18 days), suggesting that this protein is actively involved in the elimination of this metal, through the Cu-MT complex since MT and Cu are turning over simultaneously. Therefore, when Cu exposure is low, the clam can cope efficiently with the excess of Cu levels by increasing MT induction as well as rapidly eliminating this metal via the MT-Cu complex. Copper toxicity in the clam R. decussatus is associated to the limited capacity of MT induction at higher and environmental unrealistic Cu exposures especially in the gills and remaining tissues.

Wild juvenile Dicentrarchus labrax L. liver antioxidant and damage responses at Aveiro Lagoon, Portugal.

The Aveiro Lagoon, at the north-western coast of Portugal, has been under considerable anthropogenic pressure for the last 5 decades. In order to perform an adequate survey of the effects induced by the contaminants in presence, wild juveniles Dicentrarchus labrax (sea bass) were selected. Thus, sea bass was captured at five sites: Torreira (TOR, as reference site), Gafanha (GAF), Rio Novo Príncipe (RIO), Laranjo (LAR) and Vagos (VAG) in autumn 2005. Liver defence responses such as catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), total glutathione (GSHt), total non-protein thiols (NP-SH) and metallothioneins (MT) were measured. Liver damage was determined as lipid peroxidation (LPO) and DNA integrity loss. RIO, LAR and VAG presented lower CAT, GR, GST activities and NP-SH and GSHt depletion in comparison to TOR. VAG and LAR showed higher GPx activity when compared to TOR. The highest MT level was found at GAF and VAG. The NP-SH and DNA integrity decreased at GAF compared to TOR. This field study demonstrated that not only antioxidant induction but also inhibitory responses must be considered as a signal of contamination.

Biomarkers of exposure to metal contamination and lipid peroxidation in the benthic fish Cathorops spixii from two estuaries in South America, Brazil.

Biomarkers as lipid peroxidation, metallothionein and delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase were determined in Cathorops spixii to compare the biological responses of this fish from estuaries with distinct anthropogenic influence. Three areas were selected in two estuaries in accordance with the levels of contamination for the polluted (Santos/São Vicente) and with the hydrodynamic characteristics for the non-polluted (Cananéia) estuary. Water characteristics and mercury levels in C. spixii confirmed a high human influence in the polluted system. In general, the biomarkers showed differences between the estuaries, suggesting disturbances in the specific cell mechanisms due to the presence of multiple xenobiotics in the contaminated system. Therefore, these biomarkers are recommended to promote more accurate information about the exposure to pollutants. Additionally, the study of the effect of the multiple xenobiotics on resident species such as the benthic fish C. spixii can favor a better assessment of the environmental quality of these systems.

Using biochemical and isotope geochemistry to understand the environmental and public health implications of lead pollution in the lower Guadiana River, Iberia: a freshwater bivalve study.

Lead is a natural component of aquatic ecosystems with no known biological role and is highly toxic. Its toxicity stems from its ability to mimic biologically important metals and to produce membrane damage through lipid peroxidation (LPO). Most lead poisoning symptoms are thought to occur by interfering with an essential enzyme, delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD), the activity of which is markedly inhibited by lead. The purpose of this work was to study the levels and effects of lead pollution (responses of ALAD and oxidative stress biomarker LPO) in the freshwater bivalve Corbicula fluminea along the lower Guadiana River (Portugal and Spain); a major river system impacted by historic mining pollution and more recent anthropogenic inputs. The results show that the enzymatic activity of ALAD is negatively correlated with the total Pb concentration of the whole tissue suggesting that ALAD has considerable potential as a biomarker of lead exposure in C. fluminea. To identify the sources of lead to which bivalves have been exposed, high precision (206)Pb/(204)Pb, (207)Pb/(204)Pb, (208)Pb/(204)/Pb ratios for C. fluminea confirm that historical mining activities in the Iberian Pyrite Belt are the dominant source of lead pollution in the lower Guadiana River. The isotope patterns however exhibit marked seasonal and geographic variation in response to rainfall and river water management. Locally, other anthropogenic sources of lead have been detected in C. fluminea close to population centres, thus adding to its versatility as a freshwater bio-indicator. Overall, the study highlights the value of natural ecosystems as monitors of water quality and their importance for public health assessment and surveillance.

DNA damage and lipid peroxidation vs. protection responses in the gill of Dicentrarchus labrax L. from a contaminated coastal lagoon (Ria de Aveiro, Portugal).

The present research work aimed to investigate the damage vs. protection responses in gill of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) captured at a polluted coastal lagoon, Ria de Aveiro (Portugal), as a tool to evaluate the human impacts on environmental health. Damage was assessed as DNA strand breakage and lipid peroxidation (LPO) whereas protection was evaluated by measuring catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), total glutathione (GSHt), thiols and metallothioneins (MT). Fish were caught at five locations: Gafanha (GAF), Rio Novo do Príncipe (RIO), Laranjo (LAR) and Vagos (VAG) presenting each a different recognized source of contamination, and Torreira (TOR), assumed as reference site. Among the surveyed sites, gill damage was observed only at GAF, as measured by DNA integrity loss and LPO increase. An overall induction in enzymatic antioxidant protection was perceptible in fish from GAF and VAG, expressed as higher GPX, GR and GST activities. In addition, LAR fish showed elevated GST and CAT activities. Thiols content was higher in all study sites irrespective to the pollution spectrum, whereas GSHt increase was only observed at GAF and VAG. The highest MT level was detected in fish from VAG and the lowest level from RIO suggesting a low contamination degree on this particular site. Globally, the results expressed site-specific response patterns, signalling two critical areas - GAF and VAG. Additionally, a joint analysis (damage vs. protection) allowed the following ordering of surveyed sites according to the contamination degree and risk to fish health; GAF>VAG>LAR>RIO>TOR. D. labrax gill responses demonstrated their efficacy as early warning signals of the contaminants presence. Moreover, the adopted approach, considering simultaneously protection responses and damaging effects, also revealed its usefulness on the pollution extent assessment.

European eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) metallothionein, endocrine, metabolic and genotoxic responses to copper exposure.

This study investigated Anguilla anguilla (European eel) physiological and genotoxic responses to copper (Cu) and their relation with metallothionein (MT) protection. Eels were exposed during 7 days to Cu 0.2 micromol/L. MT induction was assessed in gill and liver, revealing significant response only in liver. Endocrine responses displayed a plasma free triiodothyronine (T3) and cortisol significant decrease, though the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (T4) concentrations were unaltered. A significant plasma glucose increase was observed whereas lactate was significantly decreased. Despite the absence of DNA integrity decrease in blood, gill, liver and kidney, erythrocytic nuclear abnormalities (ENA) frequency significantly increased in Cu exposed group. MT induction was insufficient to prevent endocrine and metabolic alterations as well as genotoxicity/clastogenicity in blood. However, MT protection was evident in liver by preventing DNA integrity loss. Globally, it was demonstrated that Cu environmentally realistic levels may pose a serious ecological risk to fish.

Comparative petroleum hydrocarbons levels and biochemical responses in mussels from hydrothermal vents (Bathymodiolus azoricus) and coastal environments (Mytilus galloprovincialis).

Aliphatic hydrocarbons and PAHs in the whole soft tissues of Bathymodiolus azoricus from three Mid-Atlantic Ridge hydrothermal vents (Menez-Gwen, Lucky Strike and Rainbow), and Mytilus galloprovincialis from three contaminated coastal sites in South Portugal were analysed, and its effects on the digestive gland microsomes mixed-function oxygenase system (MFO) were assessed. Aliphatic hydrocarbons levels were present in the same magnitude in both coastal and hydrothermal environments, while the UCM (unresolved complex mixture) for coastal mussels were higher than in vent mussels. In general, significantly higher PAHs concentrations were found in coastal mussels, compared to B. azoricus where low molecular weight PAHs (2-3 rings) represented the majority of PAHs contrarily to what was observed in M. galloprovincialis. The MFO components were present in both mussel species, and were detected in vent mussels for the first time. However this system seems to have different roles in species from these contrasting environments. In coastal mussels MFO responded to hydrocarbon contamination while response in hydrothermal organisms appeared to be related mainly to endogenous factors.

Antioxidant systems and lipid peroxidation in Bathymodiolus azoricus from Mid-Atlantic Ridge hydrothermal vent fields.

Enzymatic defenses involved in protection from oxygen radical damage were determined in gills and mantle of Bathymodiolus azoricus collected from three contrasting Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) hydrothermal vent fields (Menez-Gwen, Lucky Strike and Rainbow). The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidases (GPx) (total and Se-dependent), and levels of total oxyradical scavenging capacity (TOSC), metallothioneins (MT) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) were determined in B. azoricus tissues and the impact of metal concentrations on these antioxidant systems and lipid peroxidation assessed. SOD, CAT, TOSC, MTs and LPO levels were higher in B. azoricus gills while glutathione peroxidases (total and Se-dependent) were higher in the mantle, and with the exception of CAT, were of the same order of magnitude as in other molluscs. TOSC levels from Menez-Gwen indicate that the vent environment at this site is less stressful and the formation of ROS in mussels is effectively counteracted by the antioxidant defense system. TOSC depletion indicates an elevated ROS production in molluscs at the other two vent sites. Cytosolic SOD, GPx and LPO were more relevant at Lucky Strike (Bairro Alto) where levels of essential (Cu and Zn) and toxic metals (Cd and Ag) were highest in the organisms. CAT activity and LPO were predominant at the Rainbow vent site, where an excess of Fe in mussel tissues and in vent fluids (the highest of all three vent sites) may have contributed to increased LPO. Therefore, three distinct pathways for antioxidant enzyme systems and LPO based on environmental metal speciation of MAR vent fields are proposed for Bathymodiolus gills. At Menez-Gwen, TOSC towards peroxyl and hydroxyl radicals and peroxynitrite are predominant, while at Lucky Strike cytosolic SOD activity and GPx are the main antioxidant mechanisms. Finally at Rainbow, catalase and lipid peroxidation are dominant, suggesting that resistance of mussels to metal toxicity at these vent fields decreases in the sequence Menez-Gwen > Lucky Strike and Rainbow.

Evaluation of the Implementation of Good Handling Practices in Food and Beverage Areas of Hotels.

Because of the major international-level events that have recently been held in Brazil, concerns about the sensory and hygienic-sanitary conditions of food have increased. The objective of this study was to evaluate the implementation of good handling practices in food and beverage areas of hotels, with and without outsourced professional intervention. We evaluated 19 food and beverage areas in hotels in Porto Alegre, Rio do Sul, Brazil, using a checklist that was developed by a municipal surveillance team based on existing laws for good handling practices. The evaluation was done by a skilled professional in the food safety area on two occasions, at the beginning of the study (January to May 2013) and at the end (July to November 2014), and the establishments were classified as good, regular, or poor. After the baseline evaluation, an action plan listing the noncompliance found at each location was given to those responsible for the establishments, and a period of 1 year 6 months was stipulated for improvements to be made. In the repeat evaluation, those responsible for the establishments were asked whether they had hired an outsourced professional to assist them in the improvements. The hotels showed improvement during the repeat evaluation, but a significant increase in the percentage of overall adequacy was seen only in the food and beverages areas of the 12 hotels that used the intervention of an outsourced professional. The better percentage of adequacy in establishments with outsourced professional intervention underlines the importance of an external and impartial view of routine activities in the implementation of good handling practices.

Dopaminergic modulation of grooming behavior in virgin and pregnant rats.

Dopamine receptors are involved in the expression of grooming behavior. The pregnancy-induced increase in self-licking observed in rats is important for mammary gland development and lactation. This study focuses on the role of dopamine receptor subtypes in grooming behavior of virgin and pregnant female rats. General and mammary gland grooming were measured in virgin rats treated with 0.25 mg/kg of the D1-like agonist SKF-81297 and antagonist SKF-83566 and the D2-like agonist lisuride and antagonist sulpiride. The effects of 0.01 and 0.25 mg/kg doses of the same agonists and antagonists were evaluated in pregnant rats as well. In virgin animals both SKF-83566 and sulpiride treatments significantly reduced the time spent in general grooming, while none of the dopamine agonists was able to significantly change any parameter of general grooming. Time spent in grooming directed at the mammary glands was not affected significantly by any of the drug treatments in virgin rats. All drugs tested significantly decreased the frequency of and the time spent with general grooming, while SKF-81297 treatment alone did not significantly reduce the duration of mammary gland grooming in pregnant rats. These data show that in female rats the behavioral effects of D1-like and D2-like dopamine receptor stimulation and blockade differ according to physiological state. The results suggest that dopamine receptors may play specific roles modulating grooming behavior in pregnant rats. Since grooming of the mammary gland during pregnancy may influence lactation, this aspect is relevant for studies regarding the perinatal use of dopamine-related drugs.

Reproductive experience influences grooming behavior during pregnancy in rats.

The pregnancy-induced increase in self-licking observed in rats is important for mammary gland development and lactation. Reproductive experience has epidemiologial implications such as a decrease in the incidence of mammary gland cancer in women and it also influences various behavioral, neurochemical and endocrine parameters. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of reproductive experience on grooming behavior patterns during pregnancy in rats. Self-grooming behavior was measured in age-matched virgin, primi- and multigravid (days 7, 8, 9, 19, and 20 of pregnancy) rats. General grooming (head, forelimbs and shoulders) was not significantly different among virgin, primi- and multigravid rats during pregnancy. Confirming previous work, pregnant rats spent significantly more time in specific grooming (mammary glands, nipple lines, genital and pelvic regions) than did virgin animals. In addition, self- licking of mammary glands was significantly increased in multi- as compared to primigravid rats on days 8, 9, 19 and 20 of pregnancy. The increase in mammary gland grooming observed in multigravid rats appears to be a consequence of previous reproductive experience. These data show that reproductive experience modulates mammary gland grooming during pregnancy, possibly contributing to successful reproduction.

Effect of cadmium, copper and mercury on antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation in the gills of the hydrothermal vent mussel Bathymodiolus azoricus.

Metals are known to influence lipid peroxidation and oxidative status of marine organisms. Hydrothermal vent mussels Bathymodiolus azoricus live in deep-sea environments with anomalous conditions, including high metal concentrations. Although B. azoricus are aerobic organisms they possess abundant methano and thioautotrophic symbiotic bacteria in the gills. The enzymatic defences (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), total glutathione peroxidase (Total GPx) and selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (Se-GPx)) and lipid peroxidation were determined in the gills of B. azoricus exposed to Cd (0.9 microM), Cu (0.4 microM) and Hg (0.1 microM) with different times of exposure. The experiments were performed in pressurized containers at 9+/-1 degrees C and 85 bars. Results show that vent mussels possess antioxidant enzymatic protection in the gills. Cd and Cu had an inhibitory effect in the enzymatic defence system, contrarily to Hg. These enzymatic systems are not completely understood in the B. azoricus, since reactive oxygen species might be produced through other processes than natural redox cycling, due to hydrogen sulphide and oxygen content present. Also the symbiotic bacteria may play an important contribution in the antioxidant protection of the gills.

Neurological evaluation of children and adolescents with brain tumor, based on ambulatory-oriented follow-up.

Taken as proved that brain tumors are the second most frequent childhood neoplasm - only outnumbered by leukemias - we have undertaken a clinical perspective study with seventy brain tumor patients ranging from one to fifteen years of age, throughout a four-year period (1993-1997), based on ambulatory-oriented follow-up. Forty-one male and twenty-nine female patients were analyzed, in that a slightly higher number of infratentorial tumors was observed (thirty-eight cases), compared to those supratentorially located (thirty-two cases). The most repeatedly observed during the study was the medulloblastoma (twenty-one patients), followed by the astrocytoma (fifteen patients) and the germinoma (eleven patients). It should be pointed out that during the ambulatory follow-up 75,5% of patients developed neurological sequels. A tumor recurrence was noticed in 34,3% of them, while 21,4% eventually died.

[Cerebral metastasis as the form of presentation of a basaloid carcinoma of the esophagus]. / Metastase cerebral como forma de apresentação de carcinoma basalóide do esófago.

A case of oesophageal basaloid carcinoma is reported. The disease was revealed as a brain metastasis and was found ad initium to be in an advanced stage, with evidence of brain, lung and liver metastasis. The treatment performed was palliative subtotal oesophagectomy followed by roentgen therapy. A year and a half later, the patient is still alive and in home care follow up. The authors end stressing this uncommon presentation for an oesophageal neoplasm and the rarity of its histologic type. They also stress the role of surgery, although palliative, in long survival, very unlike the rapid evolution of the few published cases.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) concentrations in maternal and umbilical cord serum in a human cohort from South Portugal.

Organochlorine compounds as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and pp'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (pp'DDE) are ubiquitous, resistant to degradation and lipophilic compounds, commonly found in the general population. Prenatal exposure to these compounds has been associated to adverse developmental effects. Levels of PCBs and pp'DDE were investigated in maternal and umbilical cord serum of 68 women/newborns pairs from Algarve, South Portugal. Mean sum PCBs congeners and pp'DDE concentrations were 1.62 ± 0.39 ng mL(-1)and 1.11 ± 0.69 ng mL(-1)-for maternal and 1.45 ± 0.25 ng mL(-1) and 0.85 ± 0.50 ng mL(-1)for cord serum, respectively. Congeners distribution pattern followed the order PCB 153>180>130, both for maternal and cord serum). Significant correlations (p<0.05) were found between maternal and cord serum concentrations. The umbilical cord/maternal serum ratio were 0.90 and 0.76, respectively for ΣPCB and pp'DDE Multivariate analyses relate women in urban centers with higher PCB levels, while higher pp'DDE relates to older primiparous women that live at rural areas. PCBs were also correlated to more portions of fat rich foods, while pp'DDE is associated to higher ingestion of vegetables and fruits. Smoking habits only correlated to maternal PCB. The present work provides, to our knowledge and for the first time, baseline human-biomonitoring data and establishes background ranges of PCB and pp'DDE levels in the maternal and umbilical cord serum in the Algarve region. These compounds exhibited the capacity to pass the placenta barrier and target the fetus. Even in non-industrialized areas, and in non-intensive agriculture areas, like the Southern Portugal, there is a need to take measures to eliminate or minimize the risk of organochlorine exposure during pregnancy.

Modeling fish biological responses to contaminants and natural variability in estuaries.

Understanding the factors that influence biological responses to contaminants has long been a major goal in marine environmental research. Seven estuarine sites along the Portuguese coast were sampled over a year, and different biological responses of Pomatoschistus microps and Atherina presbyter were determined: superoxide dismutase, catalase, ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase, glutathione S-transferase, metallothioneins, lipid peroxidation, RNA:DNA ratio and condition factor K. Generalized linear models (GLM) were developed for each biological variable per species in relation to sediment chemical characterization (metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons concentration) and environmental conditions (month, site, water temperature, salinity, depth and mud percentage in the sediment). GLM varied in explanatory power and in the set of predictor variables included in the models. Environmental factors were frequently selected as predictor variables. Individual metals concentration and sediment quality guidelines (integrating all metals) were the major contaminants explaining biological variability. Accordingly, models for metallothioneins and lipid peroxidation had highest explanatory power. Species-specific responses and dataset size were the basis of observed differences between GLM for the two species.