Interspecific differences in the bioaccumulation of arsenic of three Patagonian top predator fish: Organ distribution and arsenic speciation.

Interspecific differences in arsenic bioaccumulation and organ distribution (muscle, liver, kidney and gills) in three predator fish (creole perch, rainbow trout and brown trout) from a Patagonian lake impacted by volcanic eruptions were studied. Arsenic in fish organs were compared analyzing: 1) temporal (before and after volcanic eruption) and spatial (near and far from the volcano) influence of Puyehue-Cordón Caulle volcanic complex activity on arsenic concentrations; 2) the influence of growth (as total length), organ type and their interactions over arsenic accumulation; and 3) arsenic speciation and total arsenic relationship with carbon to nitrogen ratios (C:N), as a proxy of lipid presence, in fish muscle. In general, total arsenic concentrations in creole perch organs were 2-7 times higher than those recorded in the corresponding organs of salmonids. Arsenic was preferentially accumulated in liver and kidney in the three fish species. The influence of the volcanic activity over arsenic concentrations was more evident in creole perch: organs from creole perch captured closest to the volcano exhibited higher arsenic concentrations. Temporal variations were not so consistent. No clear relationship between arsenic and fish length was observed. Positive and linear relationship between arsenic in all pair of organs was found in creole perch, while rainbow trout showed a quadratic relationship between muscle and the remaining organs, indicating different arsenic assimilation-elimination relationships between organs and fish. The arsenic liver:muscle ratio in the three fish species was greater than 1, suggesting some level of arsenic stress. Arsenobetaine (AB) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) were the dominant arsenic species in muscle of these fish, having creole perch 3-4 times higher AB than rainbow trout. A positive relationship between C:N ratio and total arsenic concentrations was found, with higher C:N in creole perchs near the volcano. In terms of food safety, no inorganic arsenic compound were detected, therefore arsenic levels in fish from Lake Nahuel Huapi does not represent any health risk to consumers.

Metals in Feathers of African Penguins (Spheniscus demersus): Considerations for the Welfare and Management of Seabirds Under Human Care.

Bird feathers have been proven to be reliable indicators of metal exposure originating from contaminated food and polluted environments. The concentrations of 15 essential and non-essential metals were investigated in African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) feathers from a Northwestern Italian zoological facility. These birds are exclusively fed with herring from the northeast Atlantic Ocean. Certain elements, such as Hg and Cd, reflected the bioaccumulation phenomena that occur through the marine food chain. The levels of Cr, Mn, and Ni were comparable to those registered in feathers of birds living in polluted areas. These results are important for comparative studies regarding the health, nutrition and welfare of endangered seabirds kept under human care.

Oxidative stress related to chlorpyrifos exposure in rainbow trout: Acute and medium term effects on genetic biomarkers.

Organophosphates (OPs) are derivatives of phosphoric acid widely used in agriculture as pesticides. Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is an OP that is extremely toxic to aquatic organisms. Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is considered as a sentinel model species for ecotoxicology assessment in freshwater ecosystems. An exposure study was carried out on rainbow trout to investigate genetic responses to CPF-induced oxidative stress by Real-Time PCR, and to determine the accumulation dynamics of CPF and toxic metabolite chlorpyrifos-oxon (CPF-ox) in edible parts, by HPLC-MS/MS. Among the genes considered to be related to oxidative stress, a significant increase in HSP70 mRNA levels was observed in liver samples up to 14 days after CPF exposure (0.05 mg/L). CPF concentrations in muscle samples reach mean values of 285.25 ng/g within 96 hours of exposure, while CPF-ox concentrations were always under the limit of quantification (LOQ) of the applied method. Our findings lead us to consider HSP70 as a suitable genetic marker in rainbow trout for acute and medium-term monitoring of CPF exposure, complementary to analytical determinations.

Presence of trace metals in aquaculture marine ecosystems of the northwestern Mediterranean Sea (Italy).

Information regarding chemical pollutant levels in farmed fish and shellfish, along with the risks associated with their consumption is still scarce. This study was designed to assess levels of exposure to 21 trace elements in fish (Dicentrarchus labrax), mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and oysters (Crassostrea gigas) collected from aquaculture marine ecosystems of the northwestern Mediterranean Sea. Metal concentrations showed great variability in the three species; the highest values of the nonessential elements As and Cd were found in oysters while the highest levels of Al, Pb and V were found in mussels. The essential elements Cu, Mn and Zn were highest in oysters, but Fe, Cr, Ni, Se, Co and Mo levels were highest in mussels. Fish had the lowest concentrations for all trace elements, which were at least one order of magnitude lower than in bivalves. The rare earth elements cerium and lanthanum were found at higher levels in mussels than in oysters, but undetectable in fish. The maximum values set by European regulations for Hg, Cd and Pb were never exceeded in the examined samples. However, comparing the estimated human daily intakes (EHDIs) with the suggested tolerable copper and zinc intakes suggested a potential risk for frequent consumers of oysters. Similarly, people who consume high quantities of mussels could be exposed to concentrations of Al that exceed the proposed TWI (tolerable weekly intake).

Heavy metals and essential elements in Italian cereals.

Crops intended for human nutrition and food production containing different essential trace elements, such as copper and zinc, could be contaminated by toxic metals like cadmium and lead. The interrelationship between micronutrients and contaminant trace elements in different cereals was investigated in North-western Italy, where both agricultural and industrial activities are present. Elemental concentrations in sampled cereals were assessed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Rice, oats and barley reached the highest median levels for Al, Cd and Pb content, while corn samples were less contaminated by toxic metals. Regarding essential elements highest median values of Cu and Zn were both found in barley, while Ni median content was higher in oats. Rice had the lowest median levels of essential elements. The correlation study between toxic and essential elements seemed to demonstrate fixed trends in analysed samples, corroborating the importance of a different diet to limit potential adverse effects caused by toxic elements.

Dioxins, DL-PCB and NDL-PCB accumulation profiles in livers from sheep and cattle reared in North-western Italy.

Products of animal origin represent the main route of human exposure to dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs (DL-compounds). Recently, concerns have been raised about ovine products, particularly the liver, in which relatively high levels of DL-compounds have been reported. We surveyed ovine and bovine livers in areas with no known sources of dioxin or DL-PCB contamination, in order to assess accumulation patterns for both DL-compounds and non-DL (NDL-) PCBs. None of the ovine and bovine samples exceeded the current Maximum Limits (MLs) for DL-compounds. Liver DL-compound TEQ concentrations were up to 5-fold higher in sheep than in cows. No statistically significant differences in total NDL-PCBs levels were found. The main contributors to TEQ levels were the Penta- and Hexa-chlorinated PCDFs and PCB 126. The results confirm the increased bioaccumulation in ovine liver towards specific DL-compounds even in ewes reared in areas with no known sources of PCDD/Fs or DL-PCBs contamination.

Mercury and selenium in European catfish (Silurus glanis) from Northern Italian Rivers: can molar ratio be a predictive factor for mercury toxicity in a top predator?

The study of mercury and selenium bioaccumulation in fish is crucially important for evaluating the extent of contamination in freshwater environments, and the possible health risk posed for humans when the antagonistic interactions of these two elements are considered. Several factors affect the risk of mercury intake from fish consumption, including mercury levels, human consumption patterns, and sensitive populations (e.g., pregnant women, foetuses, young children and unknown genetic factors). The protective effects of selenium on mercury toxicity have been extensively publicised in recent years, particularly targeting fish consumers. In this study, mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) concentrations were determined in the muscle of European catfish (Silurus glanis) collected from North Italian Rivers. Differences in mercury and selenium levels, as a function of size, gender and location were investigated. Hg was strongly related to length, gender and location, while Se levels are not dependent on fish size or location. The mean Se/Hg molar ratio was strongly affected by location, and significantly related to length and age. Selenium was in molar excess of mercury in all sites, with a rank order of mean Se/Hg molar ratio of the Parma River (2.55)>Po River (1.71)>Tanaro River (1.66)>Bormida River (1.36). However, in 37% of analyzed samples, Hg exceeded the maximum level set by 1881/2006/EC and 629/2008/EC in fish muscle. The molar ratio of Se/Hg was <1 only in the presence of significantly high Hg levels (>0.5mg/kg), and therefore the mean molar ratio cannot be considered as a safety criterion in top predator fish.

Human dietary exposure and levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) and non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (NDL-PCBs) in free-range eggs close to a secondary aluminum smelter, Northern Italy.

PCDD/Fs and PCBs are environmentally persistent substances that have been associated with adverse effects on human health. Contamination of soils, animal feed and pastures leads to their bioaccumulation of in food products of animal origin, which are considered the major source of intake of these contaminants in humans. We analyzed eggs from free-range hens, sampled from small farms, located within a distance of 4.5 km from a secondary aluminum smelter in Northern Italy. The concentrations of PCDD/Fs, DL-PCBs and NDL-PCBs were higher in eggs from locations close to the plant, and strongly exceeded the limits set by EU Regulation 1259/2011 (2.5 pg WHO TEQ fat g(-1) for PCDD/Fs, 5.0 pg WHO TEQ g(-1) for PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs L, 40 ng g(-1) for NDL-PCBs). Without the prompt and immediately applied control strategies, the consumption of contaminated eggs may have posed [corrected] a risk for human health, especially for children (≤9 years) and infants (≤3 years), due to the 2-fold excess of the current exposure limits.

[Gynecologic surgery in geriatric patients]. / Cirugía ginecológica en la paciente geriátrica.

UNLABELLED: To establish a precise definition for the geriatric patient, results difficult, since the age limits change constantly and arbitrary way, but given that women are living longer, supposedly the rate of gynecologic surgery is increasing. OBJECTIVE: To inform the experience obteined in our service, from geriatric patients, with surgical intervention, and compare the results with published articles from other national gynecology services. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the gynecology service of Specialties Hospital "Dr. Miguel Dorantes Mesa" from the S.S., in Xalapa Veracruz, México, a retrospective study was performed, from 76 cases of patients with gynecologic surgery. The research variables were: 60 years old or older, personal pathologic data, gynecologic and obstetrics, occupation, preoperative diagnosis, type of intervention, anatomopathologic diagnosis, anesthesia employed, complications during of after surgery, days in the hospital, hemoglobin and hematocrit. RESULTS: Most of the patients were 65 to 70 years old, 100% housewives, pelvic statics alterations were present in most cases (53.9%), followed by pre-malignant and malignant diseases of the cervix, the abdominal hysterectomy was indicated in 29 cases, 65.7% had personal pathologic data, the anatomopathologic study confirmed 85% of the cases, days-hospital average was 5.8. CONCLUSION: Survivorship does not depend by type of surgery or age, if not to concomitant illness.

[Abdominal hysterectomy at the Hospital de Especialidades Dr. Miguel Dorantes Mesa, S.S. A report on 140 cases]. / La histerectomía abdominal en el Hospital de Especialidades Dr. Miguel Dorantes Mesa, S.S. Informe de 140 casos.

Results from a study involving 140 hysterectomies performed at the "Miguel Dorantes Mesa" Hospital S.S. of Xalapa, Veracruz, between 1990 and 1992, are presented. The variables considered in the study were age, gyneco-obstetric history, pre-operatory indication, associated surgery, anatomopathology diagnosis and its correlation with the pre-operatory diagnosis, operatory technique, associated surgery, size of the uterus, type of endometrium of the quirurgic piece and complications in the immediate and late transoperatory. The results obtained here were also compared with some available from similar studies. The results showed that the main indication was due to pre-malign lesions, followed by benign neoplasias and only 4% due malign processes. The most frequent type of surgery was found to be the extrafascial hysterectomy with the salpingo-oophorectomy as associated surgery. The confirmation of the diagnosis by the anatomopathologic study was 76.1%. The most common type of complications encountered were two bladder lesions, and one of ureter; which were repaired during the transoperatory; two vesicovaginal and one ureterovaginal fistula. There was no mortality.

[Intestinal obstruction caused by ascaris in pregnancy. Report of a case]. / Obstrucción intestinal por áscaris y embarazo. Presentación de un caso.

A pregnant woman may be infected up to a 90% by intestine parasites, and it all depends on the geographical area associated to the environmental factors allowing this to be spread. The abdominal obstruction related to the pregnancy is rare due to the fact that it only happens in one out of 2,500-6,000 pregnancies. This occlusion, when given by Ascaris lumbricoides, is even more complicated due to the lack of medical literature reference, and thus being unable to make any comparisons. A 45-year old pregnant woman, with several births and multi-pregnancies presenting an acute abdomen by intestinal obstruction through out this helmint. She was pacticed an exploratory laparotomy with the evacuation of several ascaris throughout and enterostomy, and then during the 37th week, she gave birth by means of an eutocic labor work to a healthy female product weighting 2.825 kgs. The anatomopathology study of the placenta shows no alterations. The nosology of the intestinal obstruction by ascariasis during the pregnancy, and out of it, are very similar and could only be affected by late diagnosis of the pregnant woman due to anatomical and physiological changes, increasing the mother's and the fetus morbi-mortality. In Mexico, there are endemic areas where it would be convenient to identify the characteristical eggs in the mother's stool due to the fact that if an advanced pathology is not put in place, it does produce states of maternal malnutrition, anaemia, abdominal pain and low weigh product at the moments of its birth.

[Recurrence of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions following hysterectomy]. / Recurrencia de la lesión intraepitelial escamosa de alto grado posterior a histerectomía.

UNLABELLED: The abdominal histerectomy has been used during several years as a definitive treatment for the high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion of the cervix, because it is associated with a high index cure, with 1% to 15% of relapses as neoplastic lesions in the vaginal stump or isolated lesions. The object of this study is to evaluate the extrafascial abdominal histerectomy as an effective and definitive therapeutitic method for the high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, with an annual colpocythologic follow up. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the Gynecology Service from the Veracruz State Cancerology Center "Dr. Miguel Dorantes Mesa", of the Secretary of Health in Xalapa Veracruz, a retrospective, study was performed from 41 cases of histerectomy for high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, with a three year follow up, with the result of 7.3% of recurrence in the vagina stump. CONCLUSIONS: The extrafascial histerectomy as a definitive treatment for the cervical high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion decreases its efficacy while the stage of the lesion increases; the preoperative colposcopic evaluation helpful to determine the illness extension and discard similar lesions on vagina and vulva; five year follow up with annual cytology is mandatory.

NDL-PCBs in muscle of the European catfish (Silurus glanis): an alert from Italian rivers.

The non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (NDL-PCBs) highly contribute to the PCB dietary intake of total PCBs. Most of the NDL-PCBs are assumed through ingestion of contaminated fish and fishery products. Therefore, it is important to quantify their presence in aquatic organisms to evaluate human risks associated with fish consumption. The European catfish is a top food-chain predator and is considered a reliable bio-monitoring tool reflecting the state of the environmental organic pollution. From 2006 to 2009, 54 European catfish were captured in four sites covering the area of the Po River (North Italy), and their muscles were analysed to determine the levels of 18 PCBs congeners. All samples presented detectable levels of 18 congeners and, on average, results showed an important presence of NDL-PCBs. The sum of the six congeners (28, 52, 101, 138, 153, 180 IUPAC) was used as indicator of the total PCBs concentration. The 33% of the samples analysed exceeded the maximum levels of 125 ng g(-1) set by European regulations in fish. The values measured ranged from 19.7 to 1015.4 ng g(-1) (mean 135.6 ± 149.8 ng g(-1)). The concentrations of NDL-PCBs were not related to fish weight or sex, while a significant variability was found among sites (p<0.05), according to the geographical location of many industrial activities in the catchment area of the Po River. PCB 153 and 138 were present in higher concentrations (40% and 30% respectively). We hypothesise that this is due to their high resistance to metabolic degradation.

Heavy metals distribution in muscle, liver, kidney and gill of European catfish (Silurus glanis) from Italian Rivers.

The accumulation of heavy metals in freshwaters has direct consequences to man and ecosystem. Thus, in this study, the concentrations of mercury, cadmium, lead, arsenic and chromium in organs of the predator European catfish (Silurus glanis) were investigated. Samples were collected annually in five sites covering the area of the Po River (North Italy) between 2007 and 2009. Metals were differently distributed in the various organs, the highest concentrations of Hg were found in muscle and liver, Cd in kidney, Pb in gill and liver, as in muscle, and of Cr in gill and liver. Our survey found Hg exceeding the Maximum Levels (MLs) of 0.5 ppm in 18% of samples, while Pb and Cd were lower than the MLs set by European regulations in muscle tissues (1881/2006/EC and 629/2008/EC). Hg concentrations were significantly related to sampling stations studied, according to the presence of many industrial activities in the catchment area of Bormida and Tanaro Rivers. The finding that Hg did not fit food fish legislation limits indicated that S. glanis flesh might not be utilised for human consumption. A close monitoring of metals pollution is strongly recommended especially in piscivorous fish, cause their bioaccumulation capacity.

Características de casos de cáncer cervicouterino: Centro Estatal de Cancerología Miguel Dorantes Mesa 2006-2010 / Characteristics of cases of cervical cancer: Centro Estatal de Cancerología Miguel Dorantes Mesa 2006-2010

Introducción En Latinoamérica uno de los problemas principales de salud pública es el cáncer del cuello uterino (CACU); México no es la excepción ya que se ha decrementado sutilmente su incidencia de esta neoplasia maligna. La mayoría de enfermas que se internan en hospitales oncológicos son casos avanzados por lo que el tratamiento no es tan eficaz como sucedería en estadios precoces. Objetivo Analizar la incidencia de CACU de las enfermas que fueron atendidas en el Centro Estatal de Cancerología (CECAN) ubicado en Xalapa, Veracruz del 1 enero del 2006 al 31 de diciembre del 2010. Las variables fueron: zona de origen, tipo histopatológico, no contar con algún tipo de seguridad social, edad, ocupación, citología cervical previa, tratamiento. Resultados Se registraron 693 casos de CACU, clasificadas en 258 pacientes rurales (37,2%), 139 suburbanas (20,1%) y 296 urbanas (42,7%). El 97,8% de enfermas se dedican a las labores domésticas. La edad media general fue de 45-49 años, zona urbana de 47,5, suburbana 49,6. El 51% no se efectuó la citología cervical, la congruencia histológica del 44%, falsos negativos 35,6%, el estadio IIB fue de más frecuente, carcinoma epidermoide 79,2%, adenocarcinoma 14%. Mayor frecuencia de tratamiento quimioterapia seguida de radioterapia. Conclusión La capacitación del personal en la toma de la muestra de citología cervical debe tener una calidad suficiente para su correcto diagnóstico y así evitar en lo posible los falsos negativos y el alto índice de infecciones cervicovaginales dificulta en gran medida el diagnóstico citológico (AU)

Introduction One of the main public health problems in Latin America is cervical cancer (CC). Mexico is no exception, since the incidence of this disease has decreased subtly. Most patients admitted to cancer hospitals have advanced disease and consequently treatment is less effective than in earlier stages. Objective To analyze the incidence of cervical cancer in patients treated at the Centro Estatal de Cancerologìa in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico, from January 1st, 2006 to December 31th, 2010. The variables analyzed were area of origin, histopathologic type, having no social security, age, occupation, cervical cytology, and prior treatment. Results There were 693 cases of cervical cancer classified in 258 patients from rural areas (37.2%), 139 from suburban areas (20.1%) and 296 from urban areas (42.7%). Most (97.8%) were housewives. The overall mean age was 45-49 years, 47.5 in urban areas, and 49.6 in suburban areas. Cervical cytology was not performed in 51% and histological congruence was 44%. The percentage of false-negative results was 35.6%. The most frequent stage was stage IIB. Squamous cell carcinoma accounted for 79.2% and adenocarcinoma for 14%. There was a greater frequency of chemotherapy followed by radiation treatment. Conclusion Staff should be trained to extract samples for cervical cytology of sufficient quality to allow correct diagnosis and thus avoid false negative results and the high rate of cervicovaginal infections, which hamper cytological diagnosis (AU)