Diagnostic evaluation of the presence of residues of glyphosate-AMPA and 2.4D pesticides in urine samples from people living in a rural Brazilian community

ABSTRACTPesticide contamination in rural communities is a known problem worldwide. In this study, we investigated the levels of pesticide residues in urine samples from residents of a rural community located in the municipality of Francisco Beltrão-Paraná, Brazil. According to the residents’ report obtained through a structured interview, the main form of exposure has been due to the drift of pesticides resulting from the spraying carried out on crops neighboring the community, with one crop existing on the left edge and another on the right edge of the site. The investigation was based on a demand from residents concerned about the frequent occurrence of symptoms after spraying on neighboring crops, such as nausea, headaches, and dizziness. Thus, samples were collected immediately after the occurrence of spraying in the crop surrounding the site. In the collected samples (n=35, 1 sample per family) laboratory analyzes were performed to identify possible pesticide residues. To identify possible contaminating pesticides in the samples, multi-residue analysis was performed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). To identify 2.4D residues, an active widely used in the region and not detectable by the technique used for other pesticides, the analyzes were performed using the enzyme immunoassay technique. The results indicate that all urine samples collected showed the presence of 2.4D residues and that 90% of them presented the presence of glyphosate-AMPA residues, without the detection of the other investigated residues. The analysis of data obtained from interviews with residents shows an association between living in the place for longer and having cases of abortion (p<0.05, R=0.43) or feeling unwell after the application of the poison by the neighboring crop (p<0.05, R=0.47). In addition, residents who reported being poisoned with poison also reported having cancer (p<0.05, R=0.42). Assuming that it is unacceptable that urine samples have pesticide residues, it is concluded that the residents of this community are widely contaminated by pesticides potentially coming from the spraying of the neighboring crop, especially by pesticides that have the active ingredients in their formulas. 2,4D and glyphosate-AMPA and that may be impacting the health of these people in the long term.

FEATURES OF IMMUNE RESPONSE IN PRETERM BABIES WITH BRONCHOPULMONARY DISPLASIA OF VARIOUS SEVERITY

To evaluate the immunity indexes in the children who were born with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) of varying severity at very early delivery terms (22-27 weeks), dynamic examinations were performed in 35 infants: 17 children were with severe BPD; 18, with mild-severity and moderately severe BPD. The comparison group consisted of seven children born at 22-27 weeks of gestational age without signs of BPD. Relative numbers of lymphocyte subpopulations (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD19+, CD16+CD56+, CD4+CD25+), and monocytes (CD14+CD64+, CD14+HLA-DR+) were determined by flow cytometry. The level of cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-4) was measured by enzyme immunoassay technique. The features of immune status in children with BPD of severe, mild and moderate severity were discerned. It was found that the predictors of severe BPD development in the children born at very early terms, are: increased content of IL-8 at birth and at the age of 1 month, reduced level of expression on monocytes (CD64, HLA-DR) on the 1 month of life, and CD14+CD64+cells at 38-40 weeks post conception. The revealed features of immune status in newborns with BPD can be used to assess the effectiveness of the therapy, which requires further research in this direction.

Role of circulating adipocytokines vaspin, apelin, and visfatin in the loss of appetite in underweight children: a pilot trial

To investigate serum concentrations of vaspin, apelin, and visfatin in underweight children and their association with anthropometric and nutritional markers of malnutrition.We recruited 44 underweight prepubertal children (youngest age=2 years) with thinness grades of 1, 2, and 3, and body weights <90% of ideal body weight due to loss of appetite and less frequent hunger episodes. Forty-one healthy age- and gender-matched controls were also included in the study. Serum fasting vaspin, apelin, and visfatin concentrations were measured by enzyme immunoassay technique.Mean vaspin and apelin levels were significantly lower in underweight children compared to controls (vaspin: 0.44±0.18 vs. 0.58±0.35 pg/mL, p=0.024; apelin: 483.37±333.26 vs. 711.71±616.50 pg/mL, p=0.041). Visfatin levels were lower in underweight children compared to controls, but the values were not statistically significant (177.81±158.01 vs. 221.15±212.94 pg/mL, p=0.119).: In underweight children, decreased vaspin and apelin levels should be considered in the etiology of anorexia.

Occurrence of Antimicrobial Residues in Pasteurized Milk Commercialized in the State of Paraná, Brazil

Milk containing antimicrobial residues presents a health risk to the human population. The objective of this study was to use an enzyme-immunoassay technique to determine the occurrence of antimicrobial residues in 151 samples of pasteurized milk sold in cities of the State of Paraná, Brazil, from March 2005 to April 2006. Fifty-nine (41.3%) of the 151 samples contained antimicrobial residues. Residues of neomycin, streptomycin, and/or dihydrostreptomycin and chloramphenicol were found in three, two, and four, respectively. None of the samples with neomycin residues had levels above the maximum residue limit (MRL) permitted in this country, which is 500 μg/kg. Only one sample had a higher level of streptomycin-dihydrostreptomycin (260 μg/kg) than the MRL (200 μg/kg). The four samples positive for chloramphenicol had levels above the zero tolerance level. In the qualitative analysis, 41 of 151 samples contained tetracyclines (tetracycline, chlortetracycline, and/or oxytetracycline), 4 of 82 samples contained gentamicin, and 5 of 151 samples contained β-lactams (amoxicillin, ampicillin, ceftiofur, cephapirin, and/or penicillin G). It was not possible to determine whether the levels of the antimicrobials found in the qualitative analyses (tetracyclines, gentamicin, and β-lactams) were above the MRLs because the detection limits were below the MRLs in Brazil. In nine samples, two or more antimicrobial residues were found. The results demonstrate the need for monitoring various antimicrobial residues in pasteurized milk to ensure safety, quality, and integrity and to protect the health of the Brazilian population.

The presence of verotoxinogenic E. coli in some foods

In this study 30 samples each of ready-to-cook meatballs and white cheese as well as 96 samples of various ready-to-eat foods, obtained from different sales outlets in Istanbul, were analyzed for the presence of verotoxins (consequently vemtoxigenic E. coli) E. coli with the aid of the enzyme immunoassay technique. Additionally, total coli-form and chromogenic E. coli count were determined by cultural methods for all food samples. E. coli growth was detected in all ready-to-cook meatballs (100%), in 27 of the white cheese samples (90%) and in 69 of the other ready-to-eat food samples (71.9%). Verotoxins, however, could not be detected in any of the samples examined with the aid of the ELISA technique. The findings of this study indicate a low microbiological quality of the analyzed meatball, white cheese and ready-to-eat food samples; a considerable part of them did not conform to legal standards. However, within the sensitivity limits of the method applied no verotoxinogenic E. coli could be detected.