No abstract

The mushroom Agaricus brasiliensis (sun mushroom), native from the southeast of Brazil, is well known by its medicinal properties that include effects on diabetes, cholesterol levels, and osteoporosis. The antimutagenic effects of A. brasiliensis has been investigated recently and revealed some controversial results depending on the temperature by which the A. brasiliensis tea is obtained. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of the A. brasiliensis extract prepared in two different temperatures, 4°C and 25°C, on the doxorubicin-induced DNA strand breaks and chromosomal aberrations (CAs) in human lymphocytes. The results demonstrated that A. brasiliensis was able to reduce the DXR-induced DNA damage in both temperatures; however, the CA test was more sensitive to demonstrate a better reduction when the cells were treated with an extract obtained at 25°C. A. brasiliensis extract obtained in different temperatures exhibited antigenotoxic and anticlastogenic effects in human lymphocytes.

Soil contamination enters aquatic ecosystems affecting sediment quality. The region studied is the Taquari River, Brazil, close to a site contaminated by wood preservatives, with a runoff route into the river. The first stage of the remediation process (In this article, the terms intervention and remediation have been used with slightly different meanings. We consider intervention to be the first phase of the remediation process, which aims to remove active sources) was an intervention to remove the main active sources. The Salmonella/microsome assay and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were used to assess sediment quality in organic extracts during different intervention phases. The strains used were TA98, TA97a, and TA100 with and without S9mix (±S9). The results indicated the presence of pro-mutagens at site Ta010 (closest to the contaminated site) in all samplings, and the highest result occurred before intervention for TA100 + S9 (1,672 ± 215.9 rev/g). These values decreased during (83 ± 23.6 rev/g) and after this process (403 ± 105.9 rev/g), although the PAHs concentrations increased. Samples from this site presented PAHs with a carcinogenic potential during the assessed periods. After intervention, Ta006 (4 km downstream from Ta010) showed the most significant mutagenesis for TA100 + S9 (764 ± 230.2 rev/g) and, although the total PAHs values were lower, the species considered carcinogenic had higher concentrations. Mutagenesis predicted values of PAHs confirmed that carcinogenic species were predominantly detected by TA100, and the other PAHs by TA97a strains. Marked contaminant release to the river was observed, mainly in Ta010 at different periods. Mutagenicity and PAHs values in an internal stream, upstream from Ta010, showed a dispersion route of these agents. Thus, contamination in Ta010 and possible contribution to Ta006, after intervention, provides a warning regarding environmental quality in the region. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 59:625-638, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

O município de Xangri-Lá se destaca principalmente pelo turismo no período de férias e pelas oportunidades de negócios imobiliários relacionados a condomínios. Isso vem sendo responsável pela grande variação sazonal da população e intensa urbanização nos anos mais recentes. Estes aspectos contribuíram para a construção de condomínios fechados, sendo o local de maior concentração a Rodovia RS-389 (Estrada do Mar). Com o crescimento da mancha urbana nestes locais, que fazem parte da área de Mata Atlântica, ocorreu nos últimos anos a degradação ambiental considerável para a construção destes empreendimentos de luxos. Dessa forma, este estudo utiliza técnicas de geoprocessamento e sensoriamento remoto para avaliar a degradação ambiental desta área no período entre 2001 e 2009. As referidas técnicas permitiram obter informações rápidas e precisas sem a necessidade da presença do pesquisador no local. O uso de Sistemas de Informações Geográficas (SIGs) permitiu observar os impactos ambientais devido ao mau uso das terras e falta de planejamento para um negócio altamente sustentável.

No abstract

Economic, social, and environmental aspects improvement on a global scale underline institutional based programs importance aimed at the long‐term activities proposed by the 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This perspective offers an approach based upon planning, executing, controlling and improving social actors' performance in this dynamic relationship. As schools play an important role in this scenario, actively participating in the structuring of sustainable development’ conscious citizens, this study sought to identify the existence of Programs, Projects and Actions (PPA's) focused on the 17 SDGs of the United Nations (UN) in public and private schools in the Paranhana Valley, a region located in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, which is of uttermost importance to local performance for more than 200 thousand inhabitants, clustering six cities whose economy is mainly based on the footwear production chain. The study also addresses the existing limitations for PPA's implementation, aiming to understand how schools articulate them with different stakeholders. The research was based on the survey of 156 educational institutions located in the region, through structured interviews with open and dependent questions. The study identified that Paranhana Valley schools' existing initiatives must be diversified into long‐term programs, expanding their scope to each sustainability pillar. They must better articulate with local context, increasingly involving students' families, the students themselves, teachers, and the community. With such results, a report proposing initiatives encompassing each of the 17 SDGs in schools' scope was built. Such an approach can be implemented by other educational institutions in different contexts.

The region studied on the Taquari River, is close to a site with soil contaminated by wood preservatives, where a route of contaminants into the river was identified. This site was submitted to the first stage of the intervention process excavating the soil to remove the main active sources. To assess sediment quality the PAHs concentrations were analyzed: before, during and after the process. The PAHs concentration was compared to the guide values adopted by CONAMA resolution 344/04, aiming to protect aquatic life. Four points on Taquari River were tested, upper (TA032), in front (TA010) and lower (TA006, TA004) the contaminated site. Besides these, the Stream that is considered a source of contamination for TA010 was evaluated in the last step. The results indicated values between ISQG (Interim Sediment Quality Guidelines and PEL (Probable Effect Level) observed for eight PAHs. The PAHs values, probably carcinogenic to humans, were between ISQG and PEL in different samplings at TA010, more expressives during and after intervention. These values were also found at TA006 and TA004 during the same periods. The persistent contamination of the critical point TA010, even after intervention, is a warning regarding the environmental quality and aquatic life of this region.