Histopathological and inflammatory response in multiple organs of rats exposed to crack.

The aim of this study was to investigate histopathological and inflammatory response in liver and kidney of rats after crack exposure. For this purpose, a total of 32 male Wistar rats were distributed into four groups: (G1) and (G2): received 18 mg/kg of body weight (b.w) of crack cocaine, but Group G2 remained 72 h without exposure after the experimental period (5 days).

experimental study to investigate cytogenotoxicity of a contaminated estuary from Southeastern Brazilian Coast.

The aim of this study was to evaluate cytogenotoxicity in mammalian cells induced by ingestion of superficial water from SESS. For this purpose, surface water was collected from two points of SESS: São Vicente Channel (SVC) and Piaçaguera Channel (PIC). Four groups (n = 5) of adult male Wistar (8 weeks old) received for 5 days: (a) filtered tap water (water control), (b) tap water with 2.

Genomic instability in Buccal mucosal cells of children living in abnormal conditions from Santos-Sao Vicente Estuary.

The aim of this study was to evaluate genomic instability and cytotoxicity in buccal mucosa cells of children living in abnormal conditions from Santos Sao Vicente estuary. The study area is located between coordinates 23°58'11.8"S and 46°24'26.

Can shell alterations in limpets be used as alternative biomarkers of coastal contamination?

The present study evaluated the association among traditional biochemical biomarkers with biometric, morphometric, and elemental composition of Lottia subrugosa (patelliform gastropod) shells from three multi-impacted coastal areas in Brazil. The study was carried out in Todos os Santos Bay (TSB), Santos/São Vicente Estuarine System (SESS) and Paranaguá Estuarine Complex (CEP), using three sampling sites to seek contamination gradients in each area. Results showed that all biomarkers evaluated responded to environmental contamination, regardless the presence (SESS and CEP) or absence (TSB) of a gradient of contamination.

Occurrence of pharmaceuticals and cocaine in a Brazilian coastal zone.

The present study determined environmental concentrations of pharmaceuticals, cocaine, and the main human metabolite of cocaine in seawater sampled from a subtropical coastal zone (Santos, Brazil). The Santos Bay is located in a metropolitan region and receives over 7367m(3) of wastewater per day. Five sample points under strong influence of the submarine sewage outfall were chosen.

Ecological relevance of Sentinels' biomarker responses: a multi-level approach.

In response to the need for more sensitive and rapid indicators of environmental quality, sublethal effects on the lowest levels of biological organization have been investigated. The ecological relevance of these responses assumes a prevailing role to assure effectiveness as indicator of ecological status. This study aimed to investigate the linkages between biomarker responses of caged bivalves and descriptive parameters of macrobenthic community structure.

Biological effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of the pharmaceutical Triclosan in the marine mussel Perna perna (Linnaeus, 1758).

Triclosan (5-Chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) phenol) is an antibacterial compound widely employed in pharmaceuticals and personal care products. Although this emerging compound has been detected in aquatic environments, scarce information is found on the effects of Triclosan to marine organisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of a concentration range of Triclosan through fertilization assay (reproductive success), embryo-larval development assay (early life stage) and physiological stress (Neutral Red Retention Time assay - NRRT) (adult stage) in the marine sentinel organism Perna perna.