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Top marine predators present high mercury concentrations in their tissues as consequence of biomagnification of the most toxic form of this metal, methylmercury (MeHg). The present study concerns mercury accumulation by Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis), highlighting the selenium-mediated methylmercury detoxification process. Liver samples from 19 dolphins incidentally captured within Guanabara Bay (Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil) from 1994 to 2006 were analyzed for total mercury (THg), methylmercury (MeHg), total organic mercury (TOrgHg) and selenium (Se). X-ray microanalyses were also performed. The specimens, including from fetuses to 30-year-old dolphins, comprising 8 females and 11 males, presented high THg (0.53–132 µg/g wet wt.) and Se concentrations (0.17–74.8 µg/g wet wt.). Correlations between THg, MeHg, TOrgHg and Se were verified with age (p<0.05), as well as a high and positive correlation was observed between molar concentrations of Hg and Se (p<0.05). Negative correlations were observed between THg and the percentage of MeHg contribution to THg (p<0.05), which represents a consequence of the selenium-mediated methylmercury detoxification process. Accumulation of Se-Hg amorphous crystals in Kupffer Cells was demonstrated through ultra-structural analysis, which shows that Guiana dolphin is capable of carrying out the demethylation process via mercury selenide formation.

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The aim of this study was to investigate the adhesion (4 and 24 h) and the morphology of fibroblast Balb/c 3T3 seeded onto polystyrene, partially stabilized (ZrO(2)Y(2)O(3)), stabilized zirconia ceramic (3YTZP), and pure titanium (Ti, grade 2). Initial cell adhesion (4 h) was greater (P < 0.05, analysis of variance and Tukey's Multiple Comparisons Test) onto ZrO(2)Y(2)O(3) and polystyrene than in Ti and 3YTZ. After 24 h, the number of adhered cells was similar between the biomaterials tested, but smaller than onto polystyrene (P < 0.05). Cells were more spread onto glass surface after 4 h, but after 24 h, the morphology and density of the cells were similar in all groups (SEM). Profilometry showed distinct Ra values for each material: glass coverslips and ZrO(2)Y(2)O(3) (0.09 microm), Ti (0.88 microm), and 3YTZP (30.93 microm). It was concluded that ZrO(2)Y(2)O(3) promoted the best initial adhesion, thus indicating that surfaces with Ra values smaller than 0.1 microm could be more favorable to initial adhesion.