Exposiçao ao mercúrio orgânico em populaçoes Ribeirinhas do Alto Madeira, Rondônia, 1991: resultados preliminares / Exposure to organic mercury in riparian populations on the upper Madeira River, Rondonia, Brazil, 1991: preliminary results

Discute os resultados da concentraçaode mercúrio total em amostras de cabelo da populaçao ribeirinha do Alto Madeira,Rondônia. Dentre as 311 amostras de cabelo analisadas, 51% (n=158) apresentam concentraçoes de mercúrio acima de 10 ppm. A variabilidade nas exposiçoes ao mercúrio é ilustrada por uma família onde cinco indivíduos apresentam as concentraçoes de mercúrio mais elevadas (entre 90,6 e 303,1 ppm), enquanto em outros cinco indivíduos da mesma unidade familiar tais concentraçoes variam entre 7,0 e 13,3 ppm. Especial atençao deve ser dirigida à populaçao feminina em idade reprodutiva, dado que o feto apresenta maior vulnerabilidade a menores exposiçoes ao mercúrio orgânico. Neste estudo, 53% (n=37) da populaçao feminina em idade reprodutiva(grupo etário 4) apresentam concentraçao de mercúrio superior a 10 ppm

Zinc, hierro y cobre en pelo de gestantes a término: relación del fraccionamiento de la muestra con los requisitos nutricionales en el período gestacional / Zinc, iron and copper in the hair of term pregnant mothers: association of sample fraction with nutricional requerements during the gestational period

Se estudió el pelo de 56 embarazadas a término supuestamente sanas, con el fin de analizar las concentraciones de zinc, hierro y cobre en diferentes secciones de 2 cm, previo cálculo de la velocidad de crecimiento del pelo. Se vinculó la edad gestacional con las concentraciones de los metales estudiados. Se comprobó que el zinc presenta un máximo de su valor alrededor de las 12 semanas, volviendo a sus niveles originales en el último trimestre. El hierro mostró su máximo valor aproximadamente a las 16 semanas, en la etapa final (32 semanas) también se encontró un ligero ascenso en sus valores. El cobre mostró un ascenso paulatino en todo el período gestacional hasta llegar a su valor máximo aproximadamente a las 12 semanas del embarazo. Se comprobó que secciones de pelo de 2 cm a partir de la región más cerca del cuero cabelludo son representativas de diferentes etapas del período gestacional, cuando se quieren reflejar las concentraciones de zinc, hierro y cobre

Zinc, hierro y cobre en pelo de gestantes a término: relación del fraccionamiento de la muestra con los requisitos nutricionales en el período gestacional / Zinc, iron and copper in the hair of ter pregnant mothers: association of sample fraction with nutricional requerements during the gestational period

Se estudió el pelo de 56 embarazadas a término supuestamente sanas, con el fin de analizar las concentraciones de zinc, hierro y cobre en diferentes secciones de 2 cm, previo cálculo de la velocidad de crecimiento del pelo. Se vinculó la edad gestacional con las concentraciones de los metales estudiados. Se comprobó que el zinc presenta un máximo de su valor alrededor de las 12 semanas, volviendo a sus niveles originales en el último trimestre. El hierro mostró su máximo valor aproximadamente a las 16 semanas, en la etapa final (32 semanas) también se encontró un ligero ascenso en sus valores. El cobre mostró un ascenso paulatino en todo el período gestacional hasta llegar a su valor máximo aproximadamente a las 12 semanas del embarazo. Se comprobó que secciones de pelo de 2 cm a partir de la región más cerca del cuero cabelludo son representativas de diferentes etapas del período gestacional, cuando se quieren reflejar las concentraciones de zinc, hierro y cobre

Inheritance of some electrophoretic phenotypes of human hair.

Four isokeratin patterns were demonstrated by means of one-dimensional SDS electrophoresis of low sulfur proteins in human hair. The phenotypes had the following frequencies: K1 = 69.70%, K1m = 18.18%, K3 = 9.09%, K3m = 3.03%. Pedigree analysis and evaluation of observed and expected frequencies of the phenotypes gave rise to the conclusion that the phenotypes are controlled by genes of two independent autosomal loci K and m. We believe that *K3 and *m are dominant, whereas *K1 and *non-m are recessive.

[The detection of codeine abuse by hair analysis]. / Nachweis von Codeinmissbrauch durch Haaranalysen.

For the purpose of assessing possible opiate dependence (question of culpability) toxicological tests (gas chromatography; mass-spectrometry) were performed on cuttings of hair of a 30-year-old man who had within a short period committed several punishable offences 8 months previously. It was thus possible to determine opiate intake over a period of time corresponding to the length of hair. About 20 micrograms/g codeine and up to 4 micrograms/g morphine were demonstrated, in addition also 30 micrograms/g bromazepam. These results proved that amounts exceeding therapeutic levels of bromazepam and codeine-containing drugs had been taken during the period in question.

Metabolism of selenite and selenomethionine in the rhesus monkey.

Female rhesus monkeys were fed a commercial monkey diet and given selenium (Se) as either selenite or selenomethionine (SeMet) in the drinking water for 11 mo. Muscle and liver biopsies were taken initially and at the end of the experiment for determination of Se levels and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity. Blood was collected at monthly to bimonthly intervals, and the plasma and erythrocytes were subjected to gel filtration to determine the distribution of Se among proteins of various molecular weights. At the end of the experiment, there was significantly more Se in liver, muscle and hair from the monkeys given SeMet than in tissues from those given selenite, but there were no differences in liver or muscle GPX activity between the two treatment groups. The erythrocyte and plasma Se levels were significantly higher in the monkeys given SeMet than in those receiving selenite, but there were no differences in the GPX levels between these groups. About 68% of erythrocyte Se was associated with GPX in monkeys given selenite whereas only 34% was associated with GPX in those administered SeMet. The correlation coefficient for blood Se level and erythrocyte GPX activity was 0.92 in monkeys given selenite but only 0.37 in those given SeMet. Gel filtration of plasma revealed only one Se peak for plasma from the monkeys given selenite but at least two major Se peaks for plasma from monkeys receiving SeMet. The possible implications of these results for humans are discussed, including the reasons for poor correlations of GPX activity and blood Se levels.

Hair analysis for drug abuse, Part II. Hair analysis for monitoring of methamphetamine abuse by isotope dilution gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

Sectional analysis of methamphetamine abuser's hair was performed by using stable-isotope dilution GC/MS method. Drug concentrations of hair shaft cut into 2-cm sections from the root side were compared with the self-reported drug histories of 11 cases and the results of experiments on monkeys. It was found that in nine of the 11 cases, the relationship between the results of sectional analysis and drug histories coincided, but the sectional analyses of two cases were not consistent with self-reported drug history. The difference in drug concentrations between the regions of scalp hair was also investigated. Our study suggests that hair analysis, especially sectional analysis, may be useful in determining past drug history even though it is not exact.

Determination of total mercury in human hair samples by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry.

A procedure for the determination of mercury in human hair by cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrometry with a new reaction vessel was developed and evaluated. To eliminate the so-called matrix effect, calibration was carried out in an isomedium under identical operating conditions. Under these conditions, the recovery percentage of mercury from human hair digest samples using the peak height method, was 102 +/- 2.2%. The method has been used for measuring the mercury level in hair of different groups of people living in the Nantes, France area.

Mercury levels in hair from people eating large quantities of Swedish freshwater fish.

Mercury concentrations in hair were related to fish-eating habits in a group of 50 people reported to have a high consumption of freshwater fish. Mercury levels in hair ranged from 0.3 to 10.8 mg/kg with a mean +/- SD of 3.2 +/- 2.3 mg/kg. The average mercury level in hair from men was significantly higher than that in hair from women (3.8 +/- 2.6 mg/kg versus 2.4 +/- 1.8 mg/kg. Seven individuals (14%) had levels above 6 mg/kg. In people with equal fish consumption, significantly higher mercury levels were found in the hair of those eating fish from lakes Mälaren and Vättern than in those eating fish from Lake Hjälmaren. It has been reported that fish from the latter lake contains approximately 0.2 mg/kg mercury, whereas fish from the other two lakes contains approximately 0.4 mg/kg. The mean mercury level in hair was higher in the group eating freshwater fish more than three times a week (greater than or equal to 500 g fish flesh/week) than in the group eating less, although the difference was of borderline significance. Within couples (n = 16) eating equal numbers of fish meals per week, the men had significantly higher levels (mean 3.7 mg/kg) than the women (mean 2.5 mg/kg). The results from the present study show that people with a high consumption of Swedish freshwater fish have elevated levels of mercury in their hair, when compared with previously reported levels in the hair of Swedish pregnant women.

Melanocytotoxicity and antimelanoma effects of phenolic amine compounds in mice in vivo.

A phenolic amine compound, 4-S-cysteaminylphenol (4-S-CAP), is a potent depigmenting agent. To develop more efficacious antimelanoma agents, we synthesized four homologues of 4-S-CAP: N-acetyl-4-S-CAP (N-Ac-4-S-CAP), alpha-methyl-4-S-CAP, 4-S-homo-CAP, and N,N'-dimethyl-4-S-CAP. We tested these five compounds in mice in vivo. After s.c. or i.p. injection of saline solution (in control groups) or one of the compounds, follicular melanocytes were examined by light and electron microscopy to assess the degree of melanocytotoxicity; N-Ac-4-S-CAP induced the most depigmentation (98%), whether given i.p. or s.c. After injection of 4-S-CAP or N-Ac-4-S-CAP, the number of murine B16F10 melanoma colonies formed in the lungs was determined; 4-S-CAP and N-Ac-4-S-CAP were almost equally effective, reducing the colonies to 32 and 25% of mean control, respectively. Metabolic studies of the urine showed 9% of 4-S-CAP and 20% of N-Ac-4-S-CAP injected i.p. were excreted unchanged in 24 h; 1.3% of the N-Ac-4-S-CAP was excreted as 4-S-CAP, indicating some conversion. We conclude that N-Ac-4-S-CAP is a suitable model for developing chemotherapy to treat melanoma characterized by high tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis.

Relationship between zinc in serum and hair and some hormones during sexual maturation in humans.

We have measured the levels of zinc in serum (Zn-S) and in hair (Zn-H) in 391 adolescents, in good health, aged between 11 and 14 years. To evaluate the relationship between zinc status and sexual maturation we have analyzed, in the same subjects, the serum concentrations of the following hormones: luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHA-S), testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2). No significant relationship between zinc in the biological samples and the hormones measured in all subjects was observed; only in prepuberal females was a positive correlation found between Zn-S and E2. A significant relationship between Zn-S and LH was observed only for males with short stature or low weight (less than 25th percentile) (r = 0.359, p = 0.010; r = 0.47, p = 0.008, respectively). When prepuberal males with short stature were considered, a significant association between Zn-S and T appeared (r = 0.399, p = 0.006). In females with short stature (less than 25th percentile), partial correlation coefficients showed a significant association between FSH and zinc in hair (r = 0.435, p = 0.004), while in girls with low weight, FSH appeared positively related to zinc in hair (r = 0.470, p = 0.003) and negatively related to zinc in serum (r = -0.320, p = 0.050). Our results suggest that zinc plays an important role in the metabolism of hormones linked to sexual maturation.

[Electron spin resonance (ESR) study on hair of rats with diabetic cataract].

The hair taken from 40 rats with diabetic cataract and 20 normal controls was tested by using ESR. It was found that the 'g factor' of the hair of the rats with diabetic cataract is higher than that in normal controls. The intensity of ESR signals of the hair taken from rats with diabetic cataract is three times higher than that of ESR signals of the hair from the normal controls. The results have suggested a good reappearance and a remarkable increase in number of the free radicals and other particles of paramagnetic substances during the course of the development of the rats' diabetic cataract. The study provides new scientific data for the theory of free radicals damaging to the crystal in the process of the formation of diabetic cataract.

Phosphorus fertilizer production as a source of rare-earth elements pollution of the environment.

This paper considers some features of the production of phosphorus fertilizers in relation to pollution of the environment by rare-earth elements by measuring the change in the rare-earth elements interrelationship in snow. The main source of the pollution is identified. The distribution of pollutants is dependent on the size of the associated aerosol particles. We also report data on the concentrations of the pollutants in agricultural plants, employees' hair and hair of local residents.

Trace metals in scalp hair of Greek agricultural workers.

In order to determine "base-line" values of hair metal concentrations in unpolluted, non-industrial areas of Greece, a random sample of 144 agricultural workers (75 males and 69 females) was selected from the Civil Registry of communities of southwest Greece. All subjects were at least 50 years old and had lived in the same community for at least 10 years prior to the investigation. Bulk hair samples were collected and washed with non-ionic detergent and ultrasonic cleaning. Concentrations of six metals (Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, Zn and Cu) were determined by flameless AAS after wet-digestion. Arithmetic means of concentrations of Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, Zn and Cu were 0.31, 4.40, 0.85, 0.73, 182.50 and 10.48 micrograms g-1, respectively, for males, and 0.19, 3.84, 1.19, 0.73, 187.60 and 10.61 micrograms g-1 respectively, for females. Statistically significant (p less than 0.05) sex differences were observed for cadmium and nickel. High positive correlations were observed between lead, chromium and copper. High negative correlations were observed between cadmium and zinc. Factor analysis showed that lead, chromium and copper were associated with the first factor. The results are discussed and compared with those observed in other parts of the world.

Iron, copper, zinc and lead in hair from Sudanese populations of different age groups.

Energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence was used for the analysis of hair samples from three different age groups of the Sudanese population. Hair samples were digested in a mixture of nitric and perchloric acids and the metals were then precipitated with ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate. The variations of the Fe, Cu, Zn and Pb content of hair with age were investigated. The averages of the elemental concentrations in each age group were compared with the other age groups and with literature values. The correlation of each pair of elements in the hair samples was also investigated.

Estudo comparativo dos efeitos da utilizaçao de mercúrio por dentistas / Comparative study on the effects of mercury utilization by dentists

Foi realizado um estudo comparativo dos efeitos do mercúrio entre dentistas e médicos que trabalhamna Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que os dentistas apresentavam um número estatisticamente maior de morbidade referida por rins e aparelho digestivo e sinais e sintomas de alteraçoes de sistema nervoso. Outrossim, nao houve diferenças significativas entre os dois grupos em relaçao aos teores de mercúrio no cabelo, o que pode ser explicado por alteraçoes recentes no processo de trabalho dos dentistas