DSP2 for sex determination of miscegenated contemporary hip bones.

The bones of the human pelvis are used in sexual diagnosis generating a high level of accuracy for this type of identification. Morphological and/or morphometric methods are used in the identification of sex. Sexual dimorphism may be affected by ethnic differences in the population. One of the methods for determining sex using hip bone is the 'Diagnose Sexuelle Probabiliste (DSP)' or Probabilistic Sexual Diagnosis (DSP) method. The method presents a new version (Probabilistic Sexual Diagnosis v.2-DSP2) more advisable to be used because it has a more up-to-date database. The objective of this study is to investigate the applicability of the DSP2 method in a population in the Northeast region of Brazil. We used 128 hip bones, 50 female and 78 males, aged between 17 and 101 years, belonging to the Laboratory of Human Identification and Forensic Osteology of the University Federal Government of Pernambuco. The research was conducted between 2019 and 2020 and approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Pernambuco no. 43228015.0.0000.5208. The probability equal to or greater than 0.95 was used as the limit for the determination of sex, and the results were compared with the actual sex of each bone. In the Brazilian collection study, it was observed that the percentage of sex estimation provided by the DSP2 tool using all reference samples was 71.09%, and accuracy was 64.06%. In the analysis of the gender estimate, 82.0% and 78% were obtained for females and males, respectively. Regarding accuracy, it was 64.10% and 55.13% for females and males, respectively. In the contemporary osteological collection of the Northeast region of Brazil, which presents immigrant peoples, we obtained a high index of assertiveness in the DSP2 method. The study concluded that the DSP2 method is important for determining the sex of human skeletons in a miscegenated population.

A "fractal" expander-compressor-supplier formative research method on array processing.

In the present research the typical triangle on formative research was extended to a double triangle for an overall career programme (here expander/ compressor) and funnel proposal was explored in a single course (as a "fractal" method). Array processing and ElectroEncephaloGram (EEG) techniques have been incorporated into a Digital Signal Processing (DSP) course and research projects. The present research question was: is it possible to insert array sensing on formative research in an undergraduate course of DSP? From over eight years, two semesters with different homework loads (homogeneous triangle vs expander-compressor-supplier distributions) were analysed in detail within the DSP evaluations and students chose between experimental applied analysis and a formative research project. Results showed that cognitive load was influenced positively in the expander-compressor-supplier distribution, showing that an increase of the efficiency undertook more undergraduate research on array processing and the decrease of the number of formative applied projects. Over a longer term (48 months) students undertook more undergraduate research works on array processing and DSP techniques. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10639-023-11837-y.

Dinophysis acuminata or Dinophysis acuta: What Makes the Difference in Highly Stratified Fjords?

Dinophysis acuminata and D. acuta, which follows it seasonally, are the main producers of lipophilic toxins in temperate coastal waters, including Southern Chile. Strains of the two species differ in their toxin profiles and impacts on shellfish resources. D. acuta is considered the major cause of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) outbreaks in Southern Chile, but there is uncertainty about the toxicity of D. acuminata, and little information on microscale oceanographic conditions promoting their blooms. During the austral summer of 2020, intensive sampling was carried out in two northern Patagonian fjords, Puyuhuapi (PUY) and Pitipalena (PIT), sharing D. acuminata dominance and D. acuta near detection levels. Dinophysistoxin 1 (DTX 1) and pectenotoxin 2 (PTX 2) were present in all net tow samples but OA was not detected. Although differing in hydrodynamics and sampling dates, D. acuminata shared behavioural traits in the two fjords: cell maxima (>103 cells L-1) in the interface (S ~ 21) between the estuarine freshwater (EFW)) and saline water (ESW) layers; and phased-cell division (µ = 0.3-0.4 d-1) peaking after dawn, and abundance of ciliate prey. Niche analysis (Outlying Mean Index, OMI) of D. acuta with a high marginality and much lower tolerance than D. acuminata indicated an unfavourable physical environment for D. acuta (bloom failure). Comparison of toxin profiles and Dinophysis niches in three contrasting years in PUY-2020 (D. acuminata bloom), 2018 (exceptional bloom of D. acuta), and 2019 (bloom co-occurrence of the two species)-shed light on the vertical gradients which promote each species. The presence of FW (S < 11) and thermal inversion may be used to provide short-term forecasts of no risk of D. acuta blooms and OA occurrence, but D. acuminata associated with DTX 1 pose a risk of DSP events in North Patagonian fjords.

Mechanism of action of DSP-7888 (adegramotide/nelatimotide) Emulsion, a peptide-based therapeutic cancer vaccine with the potential to turn up the heat on non-immunoreactive tumors.

BACKGROUND: Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1) is highly expressed in various solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. DSP-7888 (adegramotide/nelatimotide) Emulsion is an investigational therapeutic cancer vaccine comprising three synthetic epitopes derived from WT1. We evaluated the mechanism of action of DSP-7888 Emulsion, which is hypothesized to induce WT1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and helper T lymphocytes (HTLs). METHODS: The ability of nelatimotide and adegramotide to induce WT1-specific CD8+ T cells and CD4+ T cells was assessed in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The ability of DSP-7888 Emulsion to induce WT1-specific CTLs in vivo was assessed using human leukocyte antigen-I (HLA-I) transgenic mice. To assess how adegramotide, the helper peptide in DSP-7888 Emulsion, enhances WT1-specific CTLs, HLA-I transgenic mice were administered DSP-7888 or nelatimotide-only Emulsion. Interferon-gamma secretion under antigen stimulation by splenocytes co-cultured with or without tumor cells was then quantified. The effects of combination treatment with DSP-7888 Emulsion and an anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) antibody on tumor volume and the frequency of tumor-infiltrating WT1-specific T cells were assessed in HLA-I transgenic mice implanted with WT1 antigen-positive tumors. RESULTS: The peptides in DSP-7888 Emulsion were shown to induce WT1-specific CTLs and HTLs in both human PBMCs and HLA-I transgenic mice. Unlike splenocytes from nelatimotide-only Emulsion-treated mice, splenocytes from DSP-7888 Emulsion-treated mice exhibited high levels of interferon-gamma secretion, including when co-cultured with tumor cells; interferon-gamma secretion was further enhanced by concomitant treatment with anti-PD-1. HLA-I transgenic mice administered DSP-7888 Emulsion plus anti-PD-1 experienced significantly greater reductions in tumor size than mice treated with either agent alone. This reduction in tumor volume was accompanied by increased numbers of tumor-infiltrating WT1-specific CTLs. CONCLUSIONS: DSP-7888 Emulsion can promote both cytotoxic and helper T-cell-mediated immune responses against WT1-positive tumors. Adegramotide enhances CTL numbers, and the CTLs induced by treatment with both nelatimotide and adegramotide are capable of functioning within the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. The ability of anti-PD-1 to enhance the antitumor activity of DSP-7888 Emulsion in mice implanted with WT1-positive tumors suggests the potential for synergy.

A comparative physicochemical and pharmacological evaluation of dexamethasone sodium phosphate and betamethasone sodium phosphate mucoadhesive gels for the treatment of oral submucous fibrosis in rats

Abstract The present study is aimed to formulate steroidal oral mucoadhesive gels of dexamethasone sodium phosphate and betamethasone sodium phosphate. Six gel formulations each of dexamethasone sodium phosphate and betamethasone sodium phosphate prepared using two different polymers carboxymethyl cellulose sodium and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, in variable proportions. All the formulations subjected for assessment of various physicochemical parameters and mechanical properties. The formulations BSP5 and DSP5, both containing 1.25 % carboxymethyl cellulose sodium, 1.25 % hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, exhibiting mucoadhesive strength of 12.300 ± 0.004 and 12.600 ± 0.01, adhesiveness of 28.04 ± 00 and 30.02 ± 00, cohesiveness of 28.04 ± 00 and 30.02 ± 00, drug release of 86.869 ± 0.380 % and 88.473 ± 0.457 % respectively were considered as promising ones and were further subjected for stability studies and in vivo study in male albino rats. Formulation DSP5 upon oral application for 4 months in arecoline induced oral submucous fibrosis rats, showed more than 80 % reduction in fibrosis as compared with BSP5 which showed nearly 50 % reduction. These results were concluded on the basis of histopathological profile and weight gain among the experimental animals during in vivo study. Hence, DSP5 by minimizing the painful injuries and morbidities justifies being suitable noninvasive model for OSMF treatment.

Niche differentiation of Dinophysis acuta and D. acuminata in a stratified fjord.

Dinophysis acuta and D. acuminata are associated with lipophilic toxins in Southern Chile. Blooms of the two species coincided during summer 2019 in a highly stratified fjord system (Puyuhuapi, Chilean Patagonia). High vertical resolution measurements of physical parameters were carried out during 48 h sampling to i) explore physiological status (e.g., division rates, toxin content) and ii) illustrate the fine scale distribution of D. acuta and D. acuminata populations with a focus on water column structure and co-occurring plastid-bearing ciliates. The species-specific resources and regulators defining the realized niches (sensu Hutchinson) of the two species were identified. Differences in vertical distribution, daily vertical migration and in situ division rates (with record values, 0.76 d-1, in D. acuta), in response to the environmental conditions and potential prey availability, revealed their niche differences. The Outlying Mean Index (OMI) analysis showed that the realized niche of D. acuta (cell maximum 7 × 103 cells L-1 within the pycnocline) was characterized by sub-surface estuarine waters (salinity 23 - 25), lower values of turbulence and PAR, and a narrow niche breath. In contrast, the realized niche of D. acuminata (cell maximum 6.8 × 103 cells L-1 just above the pycnocline) was characterized by fresher (salinity 17 - 20) outflowing surface waters, with higher turbulence and light intensity and a wider niche breadth. Results from OMI and PERMANOVA analyses of co-occurring microplanktonic ciliates were compatible with the hypothesis of species such as those from genera Pseudotontonia and Strombidium constituting an alternative ciliate prey to Mesodinium. The D. acuta cell maximum was associated with DSP (OA and DTX-1) toxins and pectenotoxins; that of D. acuminata only with pectenotoxins. Results presented here contribute to a better understanding of the environmental drivers of species-specific blooms of Dinophysis and management of their distinct effects in Southern Chile.

Toxins of Okadaic Acid-Group Increase Malignant Properties in Cells of Colon Cancer.

Diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) is a syndrome caused by the intake of shellfish contaminated with a group of lipophilic and thermostable toxins, which consists of okadaic acid (OA), dinophysistoxin-1 (DTX-1) and dinophysistoxin-2 (DTX-2). These toxins are potent protein Ser/Thr phosphatase inhibitors, mainly type 1 protein phosphatase (PP1) and type 2A protein phosphatase (PP2A). Different effects have been reported at the cellular, molecular and genetic levels. In this study, changes in cell survival and cell mobility induced by OA, DTX-1 and DTX-2 were determined in epithelial cell lines of the colon and colon cancer. The cell viability results showed that tumoral cell lines were more resistant to toxins than the nontumoral cell line. The results of the functional assays for testing cell migration, evaluation of cell death and the expression of proteins associated with cell adhesion showed a dual effect of toxins since in the nontumoral cell line, a greater induction of cell death, presumably by anoikis, was detected. In the tumoral cell lines, there was an induction of a more aggressive phenotype characterized by increased resistance to toxins, increased migration and increased FAK activation. In tumoral cell lines of colon cancer, OA, DTX-1/DTX-2 induce a more aggressive phenotype.

Multi-species okadaic acid contamination and human poisoning during a massive bloom of Dinophysis acuminata complex in southern Brazil.

On June 2016, a major bloom of Dinophysis acuminata complex was noticed over the coast of Paraná State (PR), southern Brazil, an area unprotected by any official monitoring program. Here we report the results of an extensive sampling effort that ultimately led PR authorities to issue the first State shellfish-harvesting ban due to multi-species okadaic acid (OA) contamination. During its peak, the bloom covered an area of 201 km2 (∼2.0-3.5 × 54.0 km), attaining unprecedentedly high cell densities along the shallow (<15 m) continental shelf (mean 2.2 × 105, maximum 2.1 × 106 cells L-1) and adjacent sandy beaches (mean 2.8 × 105, maximum 5.2 × 106 cells L-1). Only OA was detected in suspension (max. 188 ng L-1). Toxin levels measured in bivalves were several times greater than the regulatory limit of 160 ng g-1, reaching up to 3600 ng g-1 in Crassostrea gasar, by far the highest OA concentrations ever reported in oysters worldwide, 7700 ng g-1 in brown mussels, Perna perna, and lower levels in clams, Anomalocardia brasiliana, and mangrove mussels, Mytella spp. Nine cases of human intoxication were officially reported and five people were hospitalized with typical symptoms of Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning linked to the consumption of contaminated bivalves. All bivalves quickly converted most of the OA into its esterified form, DTX-3, and eliminated the toxins only a few weeks following the bloom, with C. gasar being the slowest-detoxifying species. Lower OA levels were accumulated in zooplankton, gastropods and several novel toxin vectors, including benthic organisms such as sand dollars Mellita quinquiesperforata and the ghost-shrimp Callichirus major, which may act as a good indicator of the presence of toxins in sandy beaches, and pelagic fish species that can serve as potential alternative sources of OA to humans (Chaetodipterus faber and Mugil liza). Monitoring toxin contamination in seafood other than bivalves is thus recommended to ensure comprehensive human health protection during massive Dinophysis blooms. Additionally, since OA was also present at low concentrations in the liver of Guiana dolphins Sotalia guianensis and penguins Spheniscus magellanicus, exposure to biotoxins should be considered in conservation actions involving threatened and near-threatened marine organisms in this region.

Interannual variability in Dinophysis spp. abundance and toxin accumulation in farmed mussels (Perna perna) in a subtropical estuary.

This study evaluated an 8-year dataset (2007 to 2015, except 2008) in the attempt to identify the most susceptible periods for the occurrence of diarrheic shellfish poisoning (DSP) episodes associated with the presence of toxigenic dinoflagellates, Dinophysis spp., in the mussel farming area of Babitonga Bay (southern Brazil). Dinophysis acuminata complex was the most frequent (present in 66% of the samples) and abundant (max. 4100 cells L-1) taxon, followed by D. caudata (14%; max. 640 cells L-1) and D. tripos (0.9%; max. 50 cells L-1). There was a marked onset of the annual rise in Dinophysis spp. abundance during weeks 21-25 (early winter) of each year, followed by a second peak on week 35 (spring). Mussel (Perna perna) samples usually started testing positive in DSP mouse bioassays (MBA) in late winter. Positive results were more frequent in 2007 and 2011 when the mean D. acuminata complex abundance was ~ 500 cells L-1. Although positive DSP-MBA results were observed in only 11% of the samples during the studied period, the toxin okadaic acid (OA) was present in 90% of the analyzed mussels (max. 264 µg kg-1). MBA results were positive when D. acuminata complex cell densities exceed 1200 ± 300 cells L-1, while trace toxin amounts could be detected at cell densities as low as 150 ± 50 cells L-1 (free OA) to 200 ± 100 cells L-1 (conjugated OA). Low salinity and the meteorological conditions triggered by La Niña events were the main factors associated with both Dinophysis abundance and OA accumulation in mussels.

Occurrence and profiles of lipophilic toxins in shellfish harvested from Argentina.

The presence of phytoplankton responsible for the production of lipophilic marine biotoxins is well recognised throughout parts of South America. To date, the quantitation of lipophilic toxins in Argentinean shellfish has been limited to select and highly focussed geographical studies. This work reports the analysis for lipophilic marine biotoxins in shellfish harvested across five regions of Argentina between 1992 and 2012. LC-MS/MS analysis was used for the quantitation of all regulated lipophilic toxins. High concentrations of okadaic acid group toxins were quantified, with a clear dominance of the parent okadaic acid and more than 90% of the toxin present as esters. Results showed DSP toxins in shellfish from the Buenos Aires Province during 2006 and 2007, earlier than previously described. There was also strong evidence linking the presence of okadaic acid to human intoxications. Other lipophilic toxins detected were yessotoxin, pectenotoxin-2 and 13-desMeC spirolide. With evidence published recently for the presence of azaspiracid producers, this work reports the detection of low concentrations of azaspiracid-2 in shellfish. As such the data provides the first published evidence for yessotoxins and azaspiracids in Argentinean shellfish and further evidence for the continuing presence of lipophilic marine toxins in Argentinean waters.

The antidepressant-like effect of ethynyl estradiol is mediated by both serotonergic and noradrenergic systems in the forced swimming test.

17α-Ethynyl-estradiol (EE2, a synthetic steroidal estrogen) induces antidepressant-like effects in the forced swimming test (FST) similar to those induced by 5-HT and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (dual antidepressants). However, the precise mechanism of action of EE2 has not been studied. In the present study, the participation of estrogen receptors (ERs) and the serotonergic and the noradrenergic presynaptic sites in the antidepressant-like action of EE2 was evaluated in the FST. The effects of the ER antagonist ICI 182,780 (10 µg/rat; i.c.v.), the serotonergic and noradrenergic terminal destruction with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT; 200 µg/rat, i.c.v.), and N-(2-chloro-ethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine (DSP4; 10mg/kg, i.p.) were studied in ovariectomized rats treated with EE2 and subjected to the FST. In addition, the participation of α2-adrenergic receptors in the antidepressant-like action of EE2 was explored using the selective α2-receptor antagonist idazoxan (0.25, 0.5 and 1.0mg/kg, i.p.). EE2 induced an antidepressant-like action characterized by a decrease in immobility behavior with a concomitant increase in swimming and climbing behaviors. The ER antagonist, 5,7-DHT, DSP4, and idazoxan blocked the effects of EE2 on the immobility behavior, whereas ICI 182,780 and 5,7-DHT affected swimming behavior. The noradrenergic compound DSP4 altered climbing behavior, while Idazoxan inhibited the increase of swimming and climbing behaviors induced by EE2. Our results suggest that the antidepressant-like action of EE2 implies a complex mechanism of action on monoaminergic systems and estrogen receptors.

Challenges in electrochemical pre-purification of recombinant proteins from green plant tissues: sgfp produced in tobacco leaves.

The use of recombinant proteins has increased greatly in recent years, as have the number of techniques and materials used for their production and purification. The principal advantage of using plants as bioreactors is the cost of the recombinant protein production, which is about 1000-fold lower as in the case of using CHO cells commonly applied in industry today. Among the different types of "green" bioreactors being studied today, there is a general consensus among scientists that production in green plant tissues such as leaves is more feasible. However, the presence of chlorophyll and phenolic compounds in plant extracts, which can precipitate and denature the proteins besides damaging separation membranes and gels, makes this technology impracticable on a commercial scale. Electrochemically produced aluminium hydroxide gel can be used to adsorb these compounds, and pre-purify recombinant synthetic green fluorescent protein (sGFP) produced in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. Removal efficiencies of 99.7% of chlorophyll, 88.5% of phenolic compounds, and 38.5% of native proteins from the N. benthamiana extracts were achieved without removing sGFP from the extracts. Since electrochemical preparation of aluminum hydroxide gel is a cost-effective technique, its use can substantially contribute to the development of future production platforms for recombinant proteins produced in green plant tissues of pharmaceutical and industrial interest.

Detecção de ácido ocadaico em cultivo de mexilhões Perna perna, Angra dos Reis, RJ / Okadaic acid detection in mussel cultivation Perna perna, Angra dos Reis, RJ

A ficotoxina ácido ocadaico (AO) é produzida por um grupo de microalgas conhecidas como dinoflagelados. Os mexilhões, ao se alimentarem dessas microalgas, acumulam a toxina em sua glândula digestiva, desencadeando a Síndrome ou Envenenamento Diarreico por Moluscos (EDM) no ser humano. Os sintomas se apresentam em torno de 30 minutos após o consumo do molusco contaminado, variando entre náuseas, dores abdominais, vômitos e diarreia. Quando a ingestão da toxina acontece em quantidades inferiores a 48µg g-1, os sintomas não se desenvolvem, porém seu consumo continuado favorece o surgimento de tumores no trato gastrointestinal em razão do poder carcinogênico do AO. Este estudo pretendeu detectar e quantificar a toxina diarreica AO em mexilhões Perna perna coletados entre os meses de maio e outubro de 2006. A detecção do AO nos mexilhões foi realizada por Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência com Detecção Fluorimétrica (CLAE-DF). Os resultados cromatográficos indicaram a presença da toxina AO em baixas concentrações, em todas as amostras de mexilhões obtidas de maio a outubro de 2006. Os resultados indicam a necessidade da elaboração e aplicação efetiva de um programa de controle higiênico-sanitário dos moluscos, assim como o monitoramento do ambiente aquático, objetivando, acima de tudo, a segurança da saúde pública.

Okadaic acid (OA) is a phycotoxin produced by a group of microalgae known as Dino-flagellates. When mussels feed themselves from this micro seaweed the toxin accumulates in their hepatopancreas, triggering the Syndrome or Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) in the human being. The symptoms appear around 30 minutes after the consumption of contaminated mussels and include abdominal nauseas, pains, vomits and diarrhea. When the toxin ingestion happens in amounts lower than 48µg g-1, the above described symptoms do not develop. However, the continued consumption favors the emergence of tumors in the gastrointestinal tract because of the high carcinogenic power of OA. This study aimed to detect and quantify the diarrheic toxin OA in Perna perna mussels collected between May and October 2006. The detection of OA in the mussels was carried out through High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Fluorimetric Detection (HPLC-FD). The chromatographic results indicate the presence of OA toxin in low concentrations in all the mussel samples gathered from May until October 2006. The results suggest the necessity of elaboration and effective application of a hygienic-sanitary mussel control program as well as environment monitoring, with the main aim of enhancing public health safety.

Detecção de ácido ocadaico em cultivo de mexilhões Perna perna, Angra dos Reis, RJ

Okadaic acid (OA) is a phycotoxin produced by a group of microalgae known as Dino-flagellates. When mussels feed themselves from this micro seaweed the toxin accumulates in their hepatopancreas, triggering the Syndrome or Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) in the human being. The symptoms appear around 30 minutes after the consumption of contaminated mussels and include abdominal nauseas, pains, vomits and diarrhea. When the toxin ingestion happens in amounts lower than 48µg g-1, the above described symptoms do not develop. However, the continued consumption favors the emergence of tumors in the gastrointestinal tract because of the high carcinogenic power of OA. This study aimed to detect and quantify the diarrheic toxin OA in Perna perna mussels collected between May and October 2006. The detection of OA in the mussels was carried out through High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Fluorimetric Detection (HPLC-FD). The chromatographic results indicate the presence of OA toxin in low concentrations in all the mussel samples gathered from May until October 2006. The results suggest the necessity of elaboration and effective application of a hygienic-sanitary mussel control program as well as environment monitoring, with the main aim of enhancing public health safety.

A ficotoxina ácido ocadaico (AO) é produzida por um grupo de microalgas conhecidas como dinoflagelados. Os mexilhões, ao se alimentarem dessas microalgas, acumulam a toxina em sua glândula digestiva, desencadeando a Síndrome ou Envenenamento Diarreico por Moluscos (EDM) no ser humano. Os sintomas se apresentam em torno de 30 minutos após o consumo do molusco contaminado, variando entre náuseas, dores abdominais, vômitos e diarreia. Quando a ingestão da toxina acontece em quantidades inferiores a 48µg g-1, os sintomas não se desenvolvem, porém seu consumo continuado favorece o surgimento de tumores no trato gastrointestinal em razão do poder carcinogênico do AO. Este estudo pretendeu detectar e quantificar a toxina diarreica AO em mexilhões Perna perna coletados entre os meses de maio e outubro de 2006. A detecção do AO nos mexilhões foi realizada por Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência com Detecção Fluorimétrica (CLAE-DF). Os resultados cromatográficos indicaram a presença da toxina AO em baixas concentrações, em todas as amostras de mexilhões obtidas de maio a outubro de 2006. Os resultados indicam a necessidade da elaboração e aplicação efetiva de um programa de controle higiênico-sanitário dos moluscos, assim como o monitoramento do ambiente aquático, objetivando, acima de tudo, a segurança da saúde pública.

Detecção de ácido ocadaico em cultivo de mexilhões Perna perna, Angra dos Reis, RJ

Okadaic acid (OA) is a phycotoxin produced by a group of microalgae known as Dino-flagellates. When mussels feed themselves from this micro seaweed the toxin accumulates in their hepatopancreas, triggering the Syndrome or Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) in the human being. The symptoms appear around 30 minutes after the consumption of contaminated mussels and include abdominal nauseas, pains, vomits and diarrhea. When the toxin ingestion happens in amounts lower than 48µg g-1, the above described symptoms do not develop. However, the continued consumption favors the emergence of tumors in the gastrointestinal tract because of the high carcinogenic power of OA. This study aimed to detect and quantify the diarrheic toxin OA in Perna perna mussels collected between May and October 2006. The detection of OA in the mussels was carried out through High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Fluorimetric Detection (HPLC-FD). The chromatographic results indicate the presence of OA toxin in low concentrations in all the mussel samples gathered from May until October 2006. The results suggest the necessity of elaboration and effective application of a hygienic-sanitary mussel control program as well as environment monitoring, with the main aim of enhancing public health safety.

A ficotoxina ácido ocadaico (AO) é produzida por um grupo de microalgas conhecidas como dinoflagelados. Os mexilhões, ao se alimentarem dessas microalgas, acumulam a toxina em sua glândula digestiva, desencadeando a Síndrome ou Envenenamento Diarreico por Moluscos (EDM) no ser humano. Os sintomas se apresentam em torno de 30 minutos após o consumo do molusco contaminado, variando entre náuseas, dores abdominais, vômitos e diarreia. Quando a ingestão da toxina acontece em quantidades inferiores a 48µg g-1, os sintomas não se desenvolvem, porém seu consumo continuado favorece o surgimento de tumores no trato gastrointestinal em razão do poder carcinogênico do AO. Este estudo pretendeu detectar e quantificar a toxina diarreica AO em mexilhões Perna perna coletados entre os meses de maio e outubro de 2006. A detecção do AO nos mexilhões foi realizada por Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência com Detecção Fluorimétrica (CLAE-DF). Os resultados cromatográficos indicaram a presença da toxina AO em baixas concentrações, em todas as amostras de mexilhões obtidas de maio a outubro de 2006. Os resultados indicam a necessidade da elaboração e aplicação efetiva de um programa de controle higiênico-sanitário dos moluscos, assim como o monitoramento do ambiente aquático, objetivando, acima de tudo, a segurança da saúde pública.

Detecção de ácido ocadaico em cultivo de mexilhões Perna perna, Angra dos Reis, RJ

Okadaic acid (OA) is a phycotoxin produced by a group of microalgae known as Dino-flagellates. When mussels feed themselves from this micro seaweed the toxin accumulates in their hepatopancreas, triggering the Syndrome or Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) in the human being. The symptoms appear around 30 minutes after the consumption of contaminated mussels and include abdominal nauseas, pains, vomits and diarrhea. When the toxin ingestion happens in amounts lower than 48µg g-1, the above described symptoms do not develop. However, the continued consumption favors the emergence of tumors in the gastrointestinal tract because of the high carcinogenic power of OA. This study aimed to detect and quantify the diarrheic toxin OA in Perna perna mussels collected between May and October 2006. The detection of OA in the mussels was carried out through High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Fluorimetric Detection (HPLC-FD). The chromatographic results indicate the presence of OA toxin in low concentrations in all the mussel samples gathered from May until October 2006. The results suggest the necessity of elaboration and effective application of a hygienic-sanitary mussel control program as well as environment monitoring, with the main aim of enhancing public health safety.

A ficotoxina ácido ocadaico (AO) é produzida por um grupo de microalgas conhecidas como dinoflagelados. Os mexilhões, ao se alimentarem dessas microalgas, acumulam a toxina em sua glândula digestiva, desencadeando a Síndrome ou Envenenamento Diarreico por Moluscos (EDM) no ser humano. Os sintomas se apresentam em torno de 30 minutos após o consumo do molusco contaminado, variando entre náuseas, dores abdominais, vômitos e diarreia. Quando a ingestão da toxina acontece em quantidades inferiores a 48µg g-1, os sintomas não se desenvolvem, porém seu consumo continuado favorece o surgimento de tumores no trato gastrointestinal em razão do poder carcinogênico do AO. Este estudo pretendeu detectar e quantificar a toxina diarreica AO em mexilhões Perna perna coletados entre os meses de maio e outubro de 2006. A detecção do AO nos mexilhões foi realizada por Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência com Detecção Fluorimétrica (CLAE-DF). Os resultados cromatográficos indicaram a presença da toxina AO em baixas concentrações, em todas as amostras de mexilhões obtidas de maio a outubro de 2006. Os resultados indicam a necessidade da elaboração e aplicação efetiva de um programa de controle higiênico-sanitário dos moluscos, assim como o monitoramento do ambiente aquático, objetivando, acima de tudo, a segurança da saúde pública.