Célia Regina Sousa da Silva

Effects of Trifolium pratense and Cimicifuga racemosa on the endometrium of Wistar rats.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Trifolium pratense and Cimicifuga racemosa upon the endometrium of castrated female Wistar rats, comparing these results with a placebo and estradiol valerate. METHODS Thirty-two adult castrated female Wistar rats were divided into four groups (eight rats per group) that receiving either tap water, estradiol valerate, isoflavones from T. pratense or deoxyactein from C. racemosa daily. The doses used were equivalent to normal doses used in humans. The results were analyzed by endometrial histology and the expression of alpha-estrogen receptor and protein Ki67. Both alpha-receptor and Ki67 expressions were determined by immunohistochemical and morphometric analysis. RESULTS Endometrium histology stayed atrophic with both herbal extracts, but T. pratense supplementation increased the expression of alpha-estrogen receptors when compared to the placebo group, without protein Ki67 expression enhancement. Both herbal extracts presented a lower Ki67 expression when compared to the placebo group. CONCLUSION T. pratense presented alpha-estrogen receptor stimulation in the endometrium without increasing cell proliferation. Both herbal extracts reduced endometrial proliferation in comparison to the placebo group.

Uso da poeira e do ar como indicadores de contaminação ambiental em áreas circunvizinhas a uma fonte de emissão estacionária de chumbo

This study measured lead concentrations in both the outdoor air and household dust from houses located around a lead-acid battery repair shop. Such installations are one of the largest sources of lead exposure, since outdated technology is still used, coupled with the lack of strict air-quality control programs. Measurements of the air lead concentration around the repair shop were carried out at 6 points, approximately 25 and 500 m from the shop. Over 50% of the air samples exceeded the limit of 1.5 microg Pb.m-3 (range 0.03 - 183.3 microg Pb.m-3). House dust samples were collected from 6 places in houses located at approximately 25, 50, and 500 m from the repair shop, and the concentration of 1,500 microg Pb.m-2 for lead in house dust was exceeded in 44% of the samples, with results varying from 2.2 to 54,338.9 microg Pb.m-2.

Avaliação da poluição ambiental causada por particulado de chumbo emitido por uma reformadora de baterias na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

In this study, the lead (Pb) levels in the air surrounding a battery repair shop were measured before and after installation of an exhaust system. Samples were collected in six and four points located at approximately 25 m and 500 m, respectively, from the battery repair shop. The limit of 1.5mg Pb.m-3 air was exceeded in 50% of the samples, ranging from 0.07 to 183.3mg Pb.m-3. After changes in the battery repair shops interior layout and use of the exhaust system, three points were selected, corresponding to the highest concentrations found previously. The new levels ranged from 0.8 to 17.6mg Pb.m-3, demonstrating a significant decrease in the lead content discharged into the environment after meeting the exhaust requirements.

Controle das emissões de chumbo particulado no entorno de uma reformadora de baterias da cidade do Rio de Janeiro usando ar como indicador

Lead levels in the air surrounding a battery repair shop (BRS) located in the Olaria neighborhood (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) were monitored from April to July 1999. Most of the samples collected within 25 meters of the BRS exceeded the limit of 1.5µg.Pb.m-3 established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These results were published in a previous article (Quiterio et al., 2001). In the current study, installation of a Venture ventilation system and some changes in the operational procedure were proposed. After the modifications in the BRS, a new monitoring campaign was performed (August and September, 2000). Three points were selected for air collection, corresponding to the most critical points found in the previous assessments. The new concentrations ranged from 0.8 to 17.6µg.Pb.m-3, showing that lead emissions into the environment had decreased adequately. However, concentration at the chimney exhaust was still higher than EPA limits, and further improvements in the installations and procedures are definitely needed.No periodo entre abril a julho de 1999, foram realizadas determinacoes dos niveis de chumbo no ar ambiente nas proximidades de uma reformadora de baterias (RB) situada em Olaria (Rio de Janeiro, Brasil). A maioria das amostras coletadas a uma distância de ate 25m da RB excederam o limite de 1,5µg.Pb.m-3 estabelecido pela Environmental Protect Agency (EPA), Estados Unidos. Esses resultados ja foram publicados previamente (Quiterio et al., 2001). Neste trabalho, foram propostas a instalacao de um sistema de exaustao Venture e algumas mudancas nos procedimentos operacionais. Apos as modificacoes na RB, foi realizada uma nova campanha de monitoramento (agosto e setembro de 2000). As coletas foram realizadas nos tres pontos considerados mais criticos, segundo as determinacoes anteriores. As concentracoes medidas estiveram no intervalo 0,8-17,6µg.Pb.m-3, mostrando que as emissoes de chumbo na atmosfera tiveram uma diminuicao adequada. Contudo, a concentracao na saida da chamine e ainda maior que os limites estabelecidos pela EPA e, certamente, serao necessarias outras melhorias nas instalacoes e procedimentos.

Detection of human papillomavirus in dental biofilm and the uterine cervix of a pregnant adolescent

CONTEXT Adolescence and pregnancy are considered to be risk factors for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The relationship between this infection in the uterine cervix and oral HPV infection is controversial. CASE REPORT This report describes a case of a pregnant 16-year-old adolescent who presented HPV infection in the uterine cervix and the mouth. Smears were collected from the cervix and the tongue/palate. Dental biofilm samples were also collected. The microarray technique was used to detect HPV. The HPV 56 subtype was observed in the cervical smear and HPV 6 in dental biofilm. CONCLUSION In this pregnant adolescent, HPV infection was present in both the cervix and the mouth, but the HPV subtypes infecting these two areas were different.