Comparison of the Performance of ICP-MS, CV-ICP-OES, and TDA AAS in Determining Mercury in Marine Sediment Samples.

Mercury (Hg) determination in marine sediment is an analytical challenge due to the toxicity of this element even at low concentrations (up to 130 μg kg in marine sediments) and complex matrices. Therefore, it is necessary to use analytical techniques that have high sensitivity, selectivity, and low limits of quantification (LoQ). In this study, two methods that require sample treatment and one method with direct sampling were studied.

Subacute exposure to a mixture of tributyltin plus mercury impairs reproductive axis function, exacerbating premature ovarian insufficiency features and reducing fertility in female rats.

Tributyltin (TBT) and mercury (Hg) are endocrine-disrupting chemicals that individually cause reproductive complications. However, the reproductive consequences of exposure to a mixture of TBT plus Hg are not well known. We hypothesized that exposure to a mixture of TBT plus Hg would alter hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis function.

Subacute cadmium exposure changes different metabolic functions, leading to type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus features in female rats.

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal that acts as endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC). Few studies have investigated the effects of Cd exposure on metabolic dysfunctions, such as type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus (T1DM and T2DM). Thus, we assessed whether subacute Cd exposure at occupational levels causes abnormalities in white adipose tissue (WAT), liver, pancreas, and skeletal muscle.

Toxicity of REEs, Th, and U: A Biodisponibility, Cytotoxicity, and Bioaccumulation Assessment in Marine Sediment.

In this work, bioaccessibility tests for rare earth elements (REEs), Th, and U in marine sediment were carried out, in addition to complementary tests for cytotoxicity and bioaccumulation for the elements La, Ce, Eu, and Gd. The evaluation of human health risk through dermal absorption and oral ingestion was performed using the hazard quotient (HQ). According to the gastric digestion simulation (SBET), it was observed that the elements Ce and Nd exhibited higher absorption capacities in the human body (> 2 µg g).

Short-term Effects of Cadmium Exposure on Blood Pressure and Vascular Function in Wistar Rats.

Chronic cadmium exposure is known to be associated with vascular changes and increased blood pressure, but its short-term effects on the cardiovascular system remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the pressoric and vascular effects of a 7-day exposure to CdCl in Wistar rats. The rats were divided in control group (Ct), which received tap water, and the Cd group, which received a 100 mg/L CdCl solution via drinking water for 7 days.

Sex-dependent vascular effects of cadmium sub-chronic exposure on rats.

Cadmium exposure is related to several cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction. However, the toxic effect of cadmium can be dependent on the sex when examined sex in experimental models. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of cadmium exposure on the cardiovascular system of male and female rodents.

Unsupervised pattern-recognition and radiological risk assessment applied to the evaluation of behavior of rare earth elements, Th, and U in monazite sand.

The Brazilian coast is rich in monazite which is found in beach sand deposits. In this study, the composition of the monazite sands from beaches of State of Espírito Santo, Brazil, was investigated. The concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs), Th, and U were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Cessation Restores Blood Pressure Levels and Endothelial Function Affected by Cadmium Exposure on Rats.

Chronic cadmium exposure produces high blood pressure and endothelial damage; however, it is not known whether these effects could be reversed by interrupting the exposure to the metal. Therefore, we evaluate the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and vascular reactivity during and following chronic cadmium-exposure discontinuance. Rats received 100 mg.

The effects of drying methods and harvest season on piperine, essential oil composition, and multi-elemental composition of black pepper.

This study aimed to evaluate the piperine content, essential oil composition, and multi-elemental composition of black pepper samples according to different drying methods and harvest season. Differences in essential oil composition and B, Ca, K, Mg, and S were noted according to sampling campaign, indicating secondary metabolism plant alterations. Mechanical drying resulted in essential oil composition changes due to high temperature exposure during processing.

The influence of beach geology and morphodynamics on chemical pollution assessments following a mining accident.

In the present study the distribution of chemical elements in beaches adjacent to the Doce River mouth hit by the tailings mud from a mining accident were assessed. Sedimentological and morphological coastal aspects were also considered. The results indicate that wave-exposed delta plain beaches exhibit high resiliency, despite their proximity to potential pollution sources.

Moderate-intensity aerobic training reduces cardiac damage attributable to experimental iron overload in rats.

New Findings: What is the central question of this study? The current literature indicates that oxidative stress plays a major role in iron overload. Although exercise is a well-established approach to treat/prevent cardiovascular diseases, its effects on iron overload are not known. What is the main finding and its importance? Moderate-intensity aerobic training had benefits in a rodent model of iron-overload cardiomyopathy by improving the antioxidant capacity of the heart.

Changes in the renal function after acute mercuric chloride exposure in the rat are associated with renal vascular endothelial dysfunction and proximal tubule NHE3 inhibition.

Mercury is an environmental pollutant and a threat to human health. Mercuric chloride (HgCl)-induced acute renal failure has been described by several reports, but the mechanisms of renal dysfunction remain elusive. This study tested the hypothesis that HgCl directly impairs renal vascular reactivity.

Subacute cadmium exposure disrupts the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, leading to polycystic ovarian syndrome and premature ovarian failure features in female rats.

Cadmium (Cd), a toxic heavy metal, is a known endocrine disruptor that is associated with reproductive complications. However, few studies have explored the effects of Cd exposure on features of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and premature ovary failure (POF). In this study, we assessed whether doses found in workers occupationally exposed to Cd and subacute exposure result in hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and other irregularities.

Detection of Pb, Ba, and Sb in Cadaveric Maggots and Pupae by ICP-MS.

The concentrations of lead (Pb), barium (Ba), and antimony (Sb), characteristic of GSR, were determined in soil sediments and immature (larvae) of cadaveric flies of the family Calliphoridae, by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). This research refers to a case study from two real crime scenes in which the corpses were in an advanced state of decomposition. In case 1, the victim had holes similar to gunshot wounds, and in case 2, there was no evidence of perforations in the corpse.

Metals, arsenic, pesticides, and microcystins in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) from aquaculture parks in Brazil.

The production of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Brazil exhibits the highest growth rate in the world and represents approximately 45% of the total fish production. The objective of the present study was to assess the risk for human health due the consumption of tilapia farmed in net cages in eight aquaculture parks in Brazil. The concentrations of pesticides (40 compounds), metals (Mn, Ni, Zn, Cd, Pb, and Sn), arsenic, and cyanotoxins (microcystins) were evaluated in 16 fish from each park.

Disruption of fertility, placenta, pregnancy outcome, and multigenerational inheritance of hepatic steatosis by organotin exposure from contaminated seafood in rats.

Early life exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is an emerging risk factor for development of complications later in life and in subsequent generations. We previously demonstrated that exposure to the EDC organotin (OT), which is present in contaminated seafood, resulted in reproductive abnormalities in female rats. However, few studies have explored the effect of OT accumulation in seafood on pregnancy outcomes.

Chronic Iron Overload Restrains the Benefits of Aerobic Exercise to the Vasculature.

Physical exercise is a well-recognized effective non-pharmacological therapy for cardiovascular diseases. However, because iron is essential element in many physiological processes including hemoglobin and myoglobin synthesis, thereby playing a role on oxygen transport, many athletes use iron supplement to improve physical performance. Regarding this, iron overload is associated with oxidative stress and damage to various systems, including cardiovascular.

Boron Removal from Mining and Synthetic Effluents by Electrocoagulation Using Aluminum Electrodes.

The efficiency of the electrocoagulation method to remove boron from synthetic and mining effluents was investigated in this study. Different parameters were tested using boric acid solution and effluent collected from a mining company located in the city of Vitória-ES. The results showed a percentage of boron removal of over 60% for the synthetic and mining effluents, using aluminum electrodes, pH 7.

Composition analysis of the cathode active material of spent Li-ion batteries leached in citric acid solution: A study to monitor and assist recycling processes.

Spent Li-ion batteries (LIBs) despite being produced with valuable metals from non-renewable natural resources are considered hazardous solid wastes because they contain metals and organic solvents pollutants for the environment. Due to this, it becomes necessary to know the chemical composition of these spent batteries to assist in the proper disposal and/or recycling process. This study aimed to provide quantitative data regarding the chemical composition of the cathode active material (CAM) of eight different spent LIBs used in cell phones and propose relationship with their energy capacity, year of manufacture and brand.

Trace elements influence the hatching success and emergence of Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas.

Trace elements from industrial, domestic and agricultural activities can be transferred into marine environments, affecting the survival of sea species. Due to their global distribution, sea turtles are recognized as indicators of ocean pollution. The aim of this work was to quantify Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Sr and Zn using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) in the eggs and offspring of Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas from two important nesting beaches, Guanabara Beach, Anchieta, and Trindade/Martim Vaz Island, Espírito Santo, Brazil.

Chronic iron overload induces vascular dysfunction in resistance pulmonary arteries associated with right ventricular remodeling in rats.

Although iron excess is toxic to the vasculature and even that pulmonary hypertension has been reported in this scenario, the role of iron overload per se remains to be clarified. This study aimed to test the effects of chronic iron-overload in rats on the morphophysiology of resistance pulmonary arteries (RPA) and right ventricle (RV) remodeling. Rats were injected with saline or iron-dextran (10, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day i.

Electrochemical and Morphological Investigations of Ga Addition to Pt Electrocatalyst Supported on Carbon.

This paper is consisted in the synthesis of platinum-based electrocatalysts supported on carbon (Vulcan XC-72) and investigation of the addition of gallium in their physicochemical and electrochemical properties toward ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR). PtGa/C electrocatalysts were prepared through thermal decomposition of polymeric precursor method at a temperature of 350°C. Six different compositions were homemade: PtGa/C, PtGa/C, PtGa/C, PtGa/C, PtGa/C, and Pt/C.