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Biomedical subjects

E Carbonell

Publications and source records attributed to E Carbonell.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

A cytogenetic follow-up study of thyroid cancer patients treated with 131I.

To determine the genotoxic risk associated with therapeutic exposure to 131I, we studied the presence of micronuclei (MN) in binucleated peripheral blood lymphocytes of a group of 22 women, patients of thyroid cancer, who received 131I sodium iodide orally as an adjuvant after total thyroidectomy. The cytogenetic study was conducted following annual check-up, the patients having received the therapeutic dose between 1 and 5 years before the study. The results show that there are no significant differences in MN frequency between the patients and the control group, the latter composed of 19 unexposed women. These findings could indicate that any possible genetic damage induced by therapeutic exposure to 131I is eliminated after a period of 1 year.

Adult↗

SCE analysis in human lymphocytes of a Spanish control population.

SCE (sister-chromatid exchanges), HFC (high frequency cells) and PRI (proliferative rate index) were studied in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of 154 healthy male volunteers, from Barcelona (Spain). SCE, HFC and PRI variability between and/or within individuals was estimated by means of a mixed linear model. This model allows a determination of the relationship between confounding factors (demographics, life style, work exposure and medical history) and the cytogenetic and cytokinetic parameters analyzed. The results obtained indicate the existence of an important intra-individual heterogeneity in SCE rates, as well as in HFC and PRI values. Although age did not seem to affect either the SCE frequency or the HFC percentage, it showed a significant positive association with the presence of cells with higher SCE frequencies. With respect to the confounding factors, only cigarette smoking increased the SCE rates and the HFC values. On the other hand, PRI mean showed significant differences dependent on age and was inversely correlated with alcohol consumption and X-ray exposure.

Adult↗

Temporary variations in chromosomal aberrations in a group of agricultural workers exposed to pesticides.

The induction of chromosomal aberrations (CA) was studied in the peripheral lymphocytes of 29 male agricultural workers occupationally exposed to several pesticides. To investigate possible exposure-related changes in the frequency of CA, a longitudinal study has been conducted. Two blood samples were taken from each individual: one in a period of high exposure (spring-summer) and the other in a period of lower exposure (autumn-winter). Simultaneously, two matched control groups constituted by 29 and 24 healthy men, without indication of exposure to pesticides, were analysed. During the period of major exposure, the group of agricultural workers showed a significant increase in the frequency of CA, mainly of chromatid-type, when compared to the unexposed control group; nevertheless, this increase in the expression of CA was not found in the period of minor exposure. This finding could indicate that the frequency of CA is related to the intensity of the pesticide exposure, and that CA have a relatively short-life, recovering the control value a few months later. In addition to the cytogenetic analysis, biochemical and haemotological blood parameters were also analysed and no significant variations were detected.

Agriculture↗

Subtyping of Legionella pneumophila isolates by arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction.

Arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (AP-PCR) was used to differentiate strains of Legionella pneumophila isolated from different water sources in a resort hotel in Benidorm, Alicante, Spain, where an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease occurred among a group of tourists between 65 and 80 years of age. All isolates were L. pneumophila serogroup 1, subtype Pontiac (Knoxville 1). Five different patterns (P1 to P5) were obtained by AP-PCR. The number of bands per pattern varied between 4 and 11. Patterns P1 and P2 represented 60 and 20% of L. pneumophila isolates, respectively. Since different subpopulations of L. pneumophila coexisted (up to three different AP-PCR patterns were identified in a single room), it was not possible to link an individual L. pneumophila strain to the occurrence of this outbreak.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Genotoxicity of tritiated water in human lymphocytes.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the genotoxicity of tritium, administered as tritiated water, in peripheral blood human lymphocyte cultures. Sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE) and chromosome aberrations (CA) were scored as genetic endpoints. From our results we can conclude that beta-radiation from low concentrations of tritium was able to induce a significant increase in the frequency of CA, although it was ineffective in increasing the frequency of SCE.

Beta Particles↗

Three new human skulls from the Sima de los Huesos Middle Pleistocene site in Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain.

Three important fossil hominids were found in July 1992 in the Middle Pleistocene cave site called Sima de los Huesos (Sierra de Atapuerca, Burgos, Northern Spain). One is a complete calvaria (cranium 4), the second a virtually complete cranium (cranium 5), the third represents a more fragmentary cranium of an immature individual (cranium 6). There is a large difference in size between the two adult specimens (for example endocranial volume 1,125 cm3 versus 1,390 cm3). The Atapuerca human remains are dated to > 300,000 years. The Atapuerca cranial sample fits within the 'archaic Homo sapiens' group, but is well differentiated from the Asian Homo erectus group. The extensive Atapuerca human collection is the most complete sample of Middle Pleistocene humans yet discovered from one site, and appears to document an early stage in Neanderthal evolution.

Anthropometry↗

Cytogenetic biomonitoring in a Spanish group of agricultural workers exposed to pesticides.

Sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) and chromosome aberrations (CA) were studied in the lymphocytes of 70 male agricultural workers occupationally exposed to several pesticides and 69 matched controls, without indication of exposure to pesticides, from 'El Maresme' (Barcelona, Spain), Comparison between both groups revealed that the individuals exposed to pesticides show substantial clastogenic effects in their lymphocytes without indication of increases in the basal frequency of SCE; moreover, these effects seem to be additive, increasing with the duration of exposure measured in years. When two confounding factors such as age and smoking habits are considered, we found that these factors increase significantly the expression of SCE although no effect was detected in the expression of CA.

Age Factors↗

A collaborative study on the improvement of the micronucleus test in cultured human lymphocytes.

A collaborative study between two laboratories has been carried out in order to investigate the reproducibility of the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay in human lymphocytes. A modified protocol to obtain good quality slides from whole blood cultures has been developed. The spontaneous frequencies of micronuclei in binucleated lymphocytes from five male subjects were evaluated in each laboratory at two cytochalasin-B concentrations (3 and 6 micrograms/ml). Our data show that 6 micrograms/ml cytochalasin-B was more effective than 3 micrograms/ml to arrest cytokinesis in all the donors analysed. The mean frequency of micronuclei in binucleated cells was significantly lower at 6 micrograms/ml compared to 3 micrograms/ml cytochalasin-B in both laboratories. The results obtained indicate a very high concordance between both sets of data supporting the validity of the proposed protocol.

Adult↗

Induction of mitotic micronuclei by the pyrethroid insecticide fenvalerate in cultured human lymphocytes.

The pyrethroid insecticide fenvalerate was tested for its ability to induce mitotic micronuclei in cytokinesis-block cells of cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes at concentrations ranging from 10 to 50 micrograms/ml. We observed that fenvalerate induces a significant increase in the frequency of micronuclei, indicating clastogenic and/or aneugenic activity. Our results complement previous data on the genotoxicity of this compound in human lymphocytes.

Alkylating Agents↗

Sister chromatid exchange in lymphocytes of agricultural workers exposed to pesticides.

Sister chromatid exchange (SCE) was studied in the lymphocytes of 27 agricultural workers occupationally exposed to several pesticides and 28 matched controls from el Maresme, an agricultural area near Barcelona. Comparison between both groups with the t-test did not reveal significant differences. These negative findings suggest that, possibly, the exposure level is too low to increase SCE in human lymphocytes in vivo. Our results indicate that smokers, both the workers and the controls, had a higher SCE frequency than non-smokers, in agreement with previous data reported by different authors.

Adult↗

Mitotic arrest induced by fenvalerate in human lymphocyte cultures.

The pyrethroid insecticide fenvalerate was tested for its ability to induce C-mitosis in cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes at concentrations ranging from 2-50 micrograms/ml. We observed a significant increase in C-mitotic figures, indicating that this compound was effective in producing disturbance of spindle function.

Cells, Cultured↗

Analysis of cytogenetic damage induced in cultured human lymphocytes by the pyrethroid insecticides cypermethrin and fenvalerate.

Two pyrethroid insecticides, cypermethrin and fenvalerate, were tested for their ability to induce chromosome structural aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges in cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Fenvalerate, but not cypermethrin, increased the frequencies of chromosome-type aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges. In addition, both pyrethroids affected the cell cycle causing a decrease in the proliferative rate index at concentrations greater than 10 micrograms/ml.

Cells, Cultured↗

The Pleistocene site of Gran Dolina, Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain: a history of the archaeological investigations.

Gran Dolina is part of an archaeological and paleontological complex located in the Sierra de Atapuerca karstic system (Burgos, Spain). The Trinchera del Ferrocarril sites were discovered as a consequence of the construction of a railway for the transport of minerals at the end of the nineteenth century. The systematic excavation of the upper Gran Dolina levels was initiated in 1981. In 1993, a 6 m(2)biostratigraphic survey pit was started, reaching level TD6 in 1994. This level was excavated during four consecutive years, yielding human fossils, identified as Homo antecessor, in association with lithic and faunal remains, dating to more than 0.78 m.y.a.

Animals↗

Earliest humans in Europe: the age of TD6 Gran Dolina, Atapuerca, Spain.

Hominid remains found in 1994 from the stratified Gran Dolina karst-filling at the Atapuerca site in NE Spain were dated to somewhat greater than 780 ka based on palaeomagnetic measurements, making these the oldest known hominids in Europe (sensu stricto). We report new ESR and U-series results on teeth from four levels of the Gran Dolina deposit which confirm the palaeomagnetic evidence, and indicate that TD6 (from which the human remains have been recovered) dates to the end of the Early Pleistocene. The results for the other levels are consistent with estimates based mainly on microfaunal evidence, and suggest that TD8, TD10 and TD11 date to the Middle Pleistocene.

Alpha Particles↗

The TD6 (Aurora Stratum) hominid site. Final remarks and new questions.

The study of the faunal and lithic assemblage (including almost a hundred human fossil remains) recovered from the Aurora stratum-TD6 level of the Lower Pleistocene cave site of Gran Dolina (Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain) has allowed us to answer some important questions concerning the debate about the earliest evidence for human occupation of Europe. However, it has also started new discussions about some geographical, ecological, and economic aspects of this earliest occupation. The nature (definitive or ephemeral) of the first occupation, as well as the model for the arrival of the Acheulean (Mode 2) in Europe are also issues for discussion.

Animals↗

The TD6 level lithic industry from Gran Dolina, Atapuerca (Burgos, Spain): production and use.

Technological analysis of lithic artefacts recovered at the Aurora stratum of Atapuerca-TD6 shows that this Lower Pleistocene assemblage is similar to Mode I Technology (=Oldowan tradition) documented at many African sites. Diachronic comparison of the different levels of Gran Dolina allows us to conclude that this particular form of early European technology lacks the production of big flakes to manufacture large tools such as bifaces and cleavers. Rather, it is characterized by the presence of small artefacts, including flakes, denticulates, notches, and side-scrapers, many of which bear use-wear traces of butchery and woodworking. The dominant production technique is orthogonal, which is also reflected in the core recovered at the slightly older level of TD4. The raw materials also found in the Middle Pleistocene occupations at Atapuerca, though with significant proportion differences, have a local origin and include varieties of flint, quartzite and sandstone as well as limestone and quartz. TD6 small artefacts were made from most of these, although the retouched pieces seem to have been preferentially made of the best quality flint, i.e., Cretaceous flint, pointing to the existence of differential use of lithic material, and therefore, some degree of planned knapping behaviour. Most of the "chaînes opératoires" or reduction sequences took place inside the cave, although some artefacts, elaborated on Cretaceous flint, seem to have been retouched off site, possibly near the supply sources.

Animals↗