RESUMEN
We conducted a dendrochemical study in order to evaluate the exposure of territories and populations to different types of pollutants and to characterise the history of pollution in one of the most intensely industrialised areas of Europe: the industrial port zone of Fos, also heavily urbanised. To perform the study, two tree species have been selected, Pinus halepensis and Populus nigra, on a rural plot located roughly 20â¯km away from the industrial harbour, an urban plot located in the city of Fos-sur-Mer and an industrial plot. Our study indicated that poplar was a more relevant model for the dendrochemical studies, exhibiting a higher bioaccumulation capacity than pine except for Hg, Sb and Mn. Moreover, thanks to this work, we observed significant exposure of the trees in the urban and industrial areas to As, Cd, Co, Cu, Mo, Sb, Zn, Al, Ca, and Mg, highlighting the exposure of the territory and populations living in the vicinity of the industrial harbour. The temporal variability of the concentrations measured in the tree rings corresponds to the increasing industrialisation of the territory as well as to the evolution of the industrial processes. Thus, this project highlighted the exposure of the Gulf of Fos to atmospheric emissions (industrial, road and urban) of the industrial harbour as well as the changes over time. It also pointed out the relevance of using dendrochemistry to measure atmospheric exposure of metals and metalloids and its temporal variability.
Asunto(s)
Monitoreo del Ambiente/métodos , Contaminación Ambiental/historia , Metales Pesados/análisis , Pinus/metabolismo , Populus/metabolismo , Ciudades , Contaminación Ambiental/análisis , Europa (Continente) , Francia , Historia del Siglo XX , Historia del Siglo XXI , Residuos Industriales/análisis , Pinus/anatomía & histología , Populus/anatomía & histología , UrbanizaciónRESUMEN
The influence of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents from one microelectronic industrial zone on element concentrations and partitioning in river water was investigated. The stepwise membrane filtration is used to distinguish different size fractions including large particulate (>18 µm), particulate (0.2-18 µm), colloidal/nanoparticle (10 kDa-0.2 µm) and truly dissolved fractions (<10 kDa) in river water samples and WWTP effluents. Results demonstrated that anthropogenic inputs (WWTP effluents and industrial area) had an important influence on concentrations and partitioning of some elements in river water. Mass balance results showed that membrane filtration processes could realize a good fractionation for many elements (good recoveries) in water samples. Flux decline during 0.2 µm and 10 kDa filtrations were analyzed, and corresponding fouling mechanisms are discussed.
Asunto(s)
Material Particulado/análisis , Ríos/química , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/análisis , Purificación del Agua/métodos , Aluminio/análisis , Coloides/análisis , Conductividad Eléctrica , Filtración/métodos , Filtración/normas , Francia , Concentración de Iones de Hidrógeno , Hierro/análisis , Membranas Artificiales , Modelos Químicos , Nanopartículas/análisis , Material Particulado/clasificación , Selenio/análisis , Silicio/análisis , Titanio/análisis , Vanadio/análisis , Aguas Residuales/química , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/clasificación , Purificación del Agua/normasRESUMEN
An annual-basis study of the impacts of the anthropogenic inputs from Fez urban area on the water geochemistry of the Sebou and Fez Rivers was conducted mostly focusing on base flow conditions, in addition to the sampling of industrial wastewater characteristic of the various pressures in the studied environment. The measured trace metals dissolved/particulate partitioning was compared to the ones predicted using the WHAM-VII chemical speciation code. The Sebou River, upstream from Fez city, showed a weakly polluted status. Contrarily, high levels of major ions, organic carbon and trace metals were encountered in the Fez River and the Sebou River downstream the Fez inputs, due to the discharge of urban and industrial untreated and hugely polluted wastewaters. Trace metals were especially enriched in particles with levels even exceeding those recorded in surface sediments. The first group of elements (Al, Fe, Mn, Ti, U and V) showed strong inter-relationships, impoverishment in Fez particles/sediments and stable partition coefficient (Kd), linked to their lithogenic origin from Sebou watershed erosion. Conversely, most of the studied trace metals/metalloids, originated from anthropogenic sources, underwent significant changes of Kd and behaved non-conservatively in the Sebou/Fez water mixing. Dissolved/particulate partitioning was correctly assessed by WHAM-VII modeling for Cu, Pb and Zn, depicting significant differences in chemical speciation in the Fez River when compared to that in the Sebou River. The results of this study demonstrated that a lack of compliance in environmental regulations certainly explained this poor status.
Asunto(s)
Carbono/análisis , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Sedimentos Geológicos/química , Oligoelementos/análisis , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/análisis , Residuos Industriales/análisis , Residuos Industriales/estadística & datos numéricos , Industrias , Marruecos , Ríos/químicaRESUMEN
We are evaluating strontium isotopes as alternative tracers of landfill leachate in groundwater. The municipal landfill studied here is located in southeastern France. This landfill has no bottom liner, and wastes are placed directly on the ground. Based on the evaluation of chloride concentration, the plume extends a maximum of 4,600 m. Strontium isotopic composition characterizes two sources: natural groundwater (87Sr/86Sr = 0.708175) and landfill leachate contamination (87Sr/86Sr = 0.708457). The evolution of mixing ratios obtained with strontium reveals a second source of groundwater contamination: fertilizers (87Sr/ 86Sr = 0.707859). These results suggestthat isotopic signatures can be used to provide useful information on sources of groundwater contamination where conventional water quality parameters may yield ambiguous results.
Asunto(s)
Monitoreo del Ambiente/métodos , Contaminantes del Suelo/análisis , Isótopos de Estroncio/análisis , Contaminantes del Agua/análisis , Residuos de Alimentos , Movimientos del AguaRESUMEN
PURPOSE: Mutations in the OA1 gene cause ocular albinism type 1 (OA1), an X-linked form of albinism affecting only the eye, with skin pigmentation appearing normal. To better understand the pathogenesis of this disease the time of onset and the pattern of expression of the mouse homolog of the OA1 gene were monitored during eye development. The localization of Oa1 mRNA was studied and compared with the expression of other genes involved in melanosomal biogenesis. METHODS: The Oa1 expression pattern during eye development and after birth was analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and in situ hybridization. Localization of Oa1 mRNA was compared with TYROSINASE: (TYR:), pink-eyed dilution (p), and Pax2 expression patterns. RESULTS: RT-PCR revealed that Oa1 expression began at embryonic day (E)10.5 and was maintained until adulthood. By in situ hybridization analysis Oa1 transcripts were detected in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) beginning at E10.5 in the dorsal part of the eyecup and in the same area where transcripts of other genes involved in pigmentation are found. Of note, the expression pattern of these genes was complementary to Pax2 expression, which was restricted to the ventral side of the optic cup. At later stages, expression of Oa1, TYR:, and p expanded to the entire RPE and ciliary body. CONCLUSIONS: Oa1 expression can be detected at early stages of RPE development, together with other genes involved in pigmentation defects. Oa1 is likely to play an important function in melanosomal biogenesis in the RPE beginning during the earliest steps of melanosome formation.
Asunto(s)
Albinismo Ocular/genética , Proteínas Portadoras , Proteínas del Ojo/genética , Glicoproteínas de Membrana/genética , Proteínas de Transporte de Membrana , Epitelio Pigmentado Ocular/metabolismo , ARN Mensajero/biosíntesis , Albinismo Ocular/metabolismo , Animales , Cartilla de ADN , Proteínas de Unión al ADN/biosíntesis , Proteínas de Unión al ADN/genética , Proteínas del Ojo/biosíntesis , Femenino , Expresión Génica , Hibridación in Situ , Melanosomas/metabolismo , Glicoproteínas de Membrana/biosíntesis , Proteínas de la Membrana/biosíntesis , Proteínas de la Membrana/genética , Ratones , Monofenol Monooxigenasa/biosíntesis , Monofenol Monooxigenasa/genética , Factor de Transcripción PAX2 , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa de Transcriptasa Inversa , Factores de Transcripción/biosíntesis , Factores de Transcripción/genéticaRESUMEN
We describe a novel double nucleotide substitution in the SRY gene of a 46,XY female with gonadal dysgenesis or Swyer syndrome. The SRY sequence was analysed by both the single-strand conformational polymorphism assay and direct DNA sequencing of products from the polymerase chain reaction. A double nucleotide substitution was identified at codon 18 of the conserved HMG box motif, causing an arginine to asparagine amino acid substitution. The altered residue is situated in the high mobility group (HMG)-related box of the SRY protein, a potential DNA-binding domain. Since the mutation abolishes one HhaI recognition site, the results were confirmed by HhaI restriction mapping. No other mutations were found in the remaining regions of the gene. The corresponding DNA region from the patient's brother was analysed and found to be normal. We conclude that the SRY mutation in the reported XY female occurred de novo and is associated with sex reversal.
Asunto(s)
Proteínas de Unión al ADN/genética , Disgenesia Gonadal 46 XY/genética , Proteínas del Grupo de Alta Movilidad/genética , Mutación/genética , Proteínas Nucleares , Factores de Transcripción , Adulto , Arginina , Asparagina , Secuencia de Bases , Análisis Mutacional de ADN , Desoxirribonucleasas de Localización Especificada Tipo II , Femenino , Genes/genética , Humanos , Proteína de la Región Y Determinante del SexoRESUMEN
L1 elements are retrotransposons that have been replicating and evolving in mammalian genomes since before the mammalian radiation. Rattus norvegicus shares the young L1mlvi2 clade only with its sister taxon, Rattus cf moluccarius. Here we compared the L1mlvi2 clade in these recently diverged species and found that it evolved rapidly into closely related but distinct clades: the L1mlvi2-rm clade (or subfamily), characterized here from R. cf moluccarius, and the L1mlvi2-rn clade, originally described in R. norvegicus. In addition to other differences, these clades are distinguished by a cluster of amino acid replacement substitutions in ORF I. Both rat species contain the L1mlvi2-rm clade, but the L1mlvi2-rn clade is restricted to R. norvegicus. Therefore, the L1mlvi2-rm clade arose prior to the divergence of R. norvegicus and R. cf moluccarius, and the L1mlvi2-rn clade amplified after their divergence. The total number of L1mlvi2-rm elements in R. cf moluccarius is about the same as the sum of the L1mlvi2-rm and L1mlvi2-rn elements in R. norvegicus. The possibility that L1 amplification is in some way limited so that the two clades compete for replicative supremacy as well as the implications of the other distinguishing characteristic of the L1mlvi2-rn and L1mlvi2-rm clades are discussed.
Asunto(s)
Evolución Molecular , Muridae/genética , Ratas/genética , Secuencias Repetitivas de Ácidos Nucleicos , Retroelementos , Secuencia de Aminoácidos , Animales , Secuencia de Bases , Clonación Molecular , ADN/genética , Cartilla de ADN/genética , Amplificación de Genes , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Muridae/clasificación , Sistemas de Lectura Abierta , Filogenia , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa , Homología de Secuencia de Ácido Nucleico , Especificidad de la Especie , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
Heat shock treatment in PC12 cells induces the synthesis of two HSP70 transcripts of 2.55 and 3.05 kb in size, while only a 70-kDa protein is shown by SDS-PAGE. Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction strategy, two mRNA species were amplified from heat-shocked PC12 cells and sequenced. Both cDNAs revealed the same open reading frame encoding a single predicted 641-amino-acid polypeptide of about 70 kDa. The two 3' untranslated regions of the two mRNAs were completely different in both length and composition. Expression of the mRNA of the two corresponding genes and that of another rat HSP70 family member was investigated in PC12, Rat1 cells, and lung fibroblasts. Northern blot analysis revealed that the 2.55- and the 3.05-kb related gene transcripts are differentially expressed in the rat cell lines tested, while the third member of the subfamily is not induced. The single-copy nature of the three genes is also confirmed by Southern blot analysis.
Asunto(s)
Regulación de la Expresión Génica/fisiología , Proteínas HSP70 de Choque Térmico/genética , ARN Mensajero/genética , Animales , Secuencia de Bases , Células Cultivadas , ADN/análisis , ADN Complementario/genética , Fibroblastos , Dosificación de Gen , Regulación Neoplásica de la Expresión Génica/fisiología , Proteínas HSP70 de Choque Térmico/análisis , Respuesta al Choque Térmico/genética , Pulmón/citología , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Peso Molecular , Células PC12 , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa/métodos , ARN Mensajero/biosíntesis , ARN Mensajero/química , Ratas , Ratas Endogámicas F344 , Análisis de Secuencia de ADNRESUMEN
Genotyping with flanking DNA markers was used to ascertain Treacher Collins Franceschetti syndrome (TCOF1) in a subject affected by tetralogy of Fallot and cryptorchidism. The proband's family consisted of a father and sister who were affected by the disease, and a healthy mother. Since cardiac malformation and cryptorchidism have been associated with the TCOF1 syndrome, the proband was suspected to be a carrier of the mutated gene. Microsatellite markers D5S527, SPARC and D5S519, which previously mapped the TCOF1 gene within a 2.1-cM interval on chromosome 5 (5q32-33.1), were used to follow the transmission of the TCOF1 mutated locus. Flanking markers D5S519 and D5S527 were informative and enabled us to exclude inheritance of a TCOF1 mutation to the proband, while showing that cardiac malformation and crytorchidism were unrelated in this patient.
Asunto(s)
Anomalías Múltiples/diagnóstico , Cromosomas Humanos Par 5/genética , Criptorquidismo/etiología , Disostosis Mandibulofacial/diagnóstico , Tetralogía de Fallot/etiología , Anomalías Múltiples/genética , Adulto , Análisis Mutacional de ADN , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Humanos , Masculino , Repeticiones de MicrosatéliteRESUMEN
We evaluated the effects of electroconvulsive shock (ECS) on the expression of two genes encoding 70 kDa stress proteins, in the rat brain. The study was carried out by in situ hybridization using oligonucleotide probes specific for either the constitutively expressed hsc73, or the strictly inducible hsp70 gene. Rats were submitted to single or repeated (7 days, one session for each day) sessions of Electroconvulsive Shock. Animals were sacrificed at various time after treatment. ECS enhanced the basal expression of hsc73 in limbic areas, such as dentate gyrus, CA3, and median habenular nucleus. ECS induced hsp70 mRNA, which was not detectable in control animals, specifically in the Dentate Gyrus. The effect was present 2 h following treatment. Both single and repeated ECS were similarly effective. The finding likely reflects neuroadaptive local changes associated with a generalized seizure activity.