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Gama ACC, da Mata SM, Martins Dos Santos PC, Vieira MN, Sansão JPH, Quinino RDC. Auditory Training With Synthesized Voice Anchors: Effects on Rater Agreement. J Voice 2024; 38:366-375. [PMID: 34702611 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2021.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the effects of auditory training with synthesized voices on intra- and inter-rater agreement of the auditory-perceptual voice analysis of roughness and breathiness. METHODS This was an experimental study consisting of four auditory training sessions. The sample consisted of twenty raters, students from a Speech-Language Pathology course, who had previous experience with auditory-perceptual assessment. The raters participated in the four training sessions with a seven-day break in between sessions. Each training consisted of three tasks: 1) Pre-training activity: Participants were asked to rate 20 natural voices, normal and dysphonic, from zero to three, according to the parameters of roughness and breathiness; 2) Training activity: Synthesized voice anchor stimuli were presented, and participants were asked to rate them from zero to three. Four stimuli were related to roughness and four to breathiness. Participants heard 20 voice stimuli and were instructed to pair the natural voice with the synthesized anchor stimulus that most resembled it; and 3) Post-training activity: the 20 voices from the pre-training activity were randomized and participants rated the same voices, without prior knowledge that these were repeated. Statistical analysis of data was performed using the AC2 test, to assess the extent of agreement between raters, and the Friedman test to compare the training sessions. A 5% significance level was considered. RESULTS For the auditory-perceptual voice analysis of roughness, intra-rater agreement results ranged from 79% to 86% between the first and fourth auditory training session, with improvement in intra-rater agreement from the fourth session forward (P = 0.005). For the analysis of breathiness, results ranged from 88% to 92% between the first and fourth auditory training sessions, with improvement from the fourth session forward (P = 0.036). Inter-rater agreement results for the auditory-perceptual analysis of roughness ranged from 23% to 34%, and from 48% to 61% for breathiness, with no differences regarding training (P = 0.855). CONCLUSION The auditory-perceptual breathiness parameter had a higher AC2 indicator compared to the roughness parameter, suggesting better agreement. The intra-rater agreement showed improvement starting from the fourth auditory training session for the assessment of roughness and breathiness. The auditory training program did not show a positive inter-rater agreement impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cristina Côrtes Gama
- Department of Speech-language Pathology, Federal University of Minas Gerais. Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Researcher of Productivity at National Council of Scientific Research, Brazil.
| | - Sabrina Martins da Mata
- Speech-language Pathology, Department of Speech-language Pathology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Priscila Campos Martins Dos Santos
- Speech-language Pathology, Post-graduate program (MSc) in speech therapy Sciences; Department of Speech-language Pathology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Maurílio Nunes Vieira
- Department of Electronic Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - João Pedro Hallack Sansão
- Department of Technology in Civil Engineering, Computing, Automation, Telematics and Humanities, Federal University of São João Del Rei - UFSJ - Ouro Branco, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Roberto da Costa Quinino
- Department of Statistics of the Institute of Exact Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Santos PCMD, Vieira MN, Sansão JPH, Gama ACC. Effect of synthesized voice anchors on auditory-perceptual voice evaluation. Codas 2021; 33:e20190197. [PMID: 33950146 DOI: 10.1590/2317-1782/20202019197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To analyze if the use of synthesized voice anchor emissions in auditory-perceptual evaluation improves intra- and inter-rater agreement. METHODS This is a quantitative study. Thirty-two inexperienced evaluators were selected and performed two activities on a Programming Interface created by the authors: Active Calibrator Activity - auditory-perceptual evaluation of the roughness and breathiness parameters as 0-no deviation, 1-slight deviation, 2-moderate deviation, or 3-intense deviation of 25 voices with the support of anchored emissions of synthesized voices; and Inactive Calibrator Activity - auditory-perceptual evaluation of these same voices without the support of anchored vocal emissions. The voices were randomized for each activity, and the order of the activities was drawn randomly for each evaluator. The second activity was performed 15 days after the first. The Kappa coefficient was used to analyze intra- and inter-rater agreement, and the confidence interval (CI) was employed to compare concordances. RESULTS Inter-rater agreement was higher for the intense degree of the breathiness parameter in the Active Calibrator Activity when compared to the Inactive Calibrator Activity, as well as the intra-rater agreement of the roughness parameter.333. CONCLUSION Use of anchor emissions of synthesized voices directly in the evaluation improves intra- and inter-rater agreement in auditory-perceptual voice analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maurílio Nunes Vieira
- Departamento de Engenharia Eletrônica, Escola de Engenharia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG - Belo Horizonte (MG), Brasil
| | - João Pedro Hallack Sansão
- Departamento de Tecnologia em Engenharia Civil, Computação, Automação, Telemática e Humanidades, Universidade Federal de São João Del Rei - UFSJ - Ouro Branco (MG), Brasil
| | - Ana Cristina Côrtes Gama
- Departamento de Fonoaudiologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG - Belo Horizonte (MG), Brasil
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Mental fatigue and sleepiness are well recognized determinants of human-error related accidents and incidents in aviation. In Brazil, according to the Center for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (CENIPA), the rate of accidents in the aerial modal is 1 per 2 d. Human factors are present in 90% of these accidents.CASE REPORT: This paper describes a retrospective study of the communication between a pilot and an air traffic control tower just before a fatal accident. The objective was the detection of fatigue and sleepiness of a pilot, who complained of these signs and symptoms before the flight, by means of voice and speech analysis. The in-depth accident analysis performed by CENIPA indicated that sleepiness and fatigue most likely contributed to the accident. Speech samples were analyzed for two conditions: 1) nonsleepy data recorded 35 h before the air crash (control condition), which were compared with 2) data from samples collected about 1 h before the accident and also during the disaster (sleepy condition). Audio recording analyses provided objective measures of the temporal organization of speech, such as hesitations, silent pauses, prolongation of final syllables, and syllable articulation rate.DISCUSSION: The results showed that speech during the day of the accident had significantly low elocution and articulation rates compared to the preceding day, also indicating that the methodology adopted in this study is feasible for detection of fatigue and sleepiness through speech analysis.de Vasconcelos CA, Vieira MN, Kecklund G, Yehia HC. Speech analysis for fatigue and sleepiness detection of a pilot. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2019; 90(4):415-418.
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dos Santos PCM, Vieira MN, Sansão JPH, Gama ACC. Effect of Auditory-Perceptual Training With Natural Voice Anchors on Vocal Quality Evaluation. J Voice 2019; 33:220-225. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2017.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2017] [Revised: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Santos MM, Jorge PAS, Coimbra J, Vale C, Caetano M, Bastos L, Iglesias I, Guimarães L, Reis-Henriques MA, Teles LO, Vieira MN, Raimundo J, Pinheiro M, Nogueira V, Pereira R, Neuparth T, Ribeiro MC, Silva E, Castro LFC. The last frontier: Coupling technological developments with scientific challenges to improve hazard assessment of deep-sea mining. Sci Total Environ 2018; 627:1505-1514. [PMID: 30857112 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.01.221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2017] [Revised: 01/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The growing economic interest in the exploitation of mineral resources on deep-ocean beds, including those in the vicinity of sensitive-rich habitats such as hydrothermal vents, raise a mounting concern about the damage that such actions might originate to these poorly-know ecosystems, which represent millions of years of evolution and adaptations to extreme environmental conditions. It has been suggested that mining may cause a major impact on vent ecosystems and other deep-sea areas. Yet, the scale and the nature of such impacts are unknown at present. Hence, building upon currently available scientific information it is crucial to develop new cost-effective technologies embedded into rigorous operating frameworks. The forward-thinking provided here will assist in the development of new technologies and tools to address the major challenges associated with deep sea-mining; technologies for in situ and ex situ observation and data acquisition, biogeochemical processes, hazard assessment of deep-sea mining to marine organisms and development of modeling tools in support of risk assessment scenarios. These technological developments are vital to validate a responsible and sustainable exploitation of the deep-sea mineral resources, based on the precautionary principle.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Santos
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto (U.Porto), Matosinhos, Portugal; Faculty of Sciences (FCUP), Department of Biology, University of Porto (U.Porto), Porto, Portugal.
| | - P A S Jorge
- Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science, INESC-TEC, Porto, Portugal
| | - J Coimbra
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto (U.Porto), Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - C Vale
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto (U.Porto), Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - M Caetano
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto (U.Porto), Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - L Bastos
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto (U.Porto), Matosinhos, Portugal; Faculty of Sciences (FCUP), Department of Biology, University of Porto (U.Porto), Porto, Portugal
| | - I Iglesias
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto (U.Porto), Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - L Guimarães
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto (U.Porto), Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - M A Reis-Henriques
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto (U.Porto), Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - L O Teles
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto (U.Porto), Matosinhos, Portugal; Faculty of Sciences (FCUP), Department of Biology, University of Porto (U.Porto), Porto, Portugal
| | - M N Vieira
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto (U.Porto), Matosinhos, Portugal; Faculty of Sciences (FCUP), Department of Biology, University of Porto (U.Porto), Porto, Portugal
| | - J Raimundo
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto (U.Porto), Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - M Pinheiro
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto (U.Porto), Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - V Nogueira
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto (U.Porto), Matosinhos, Portugal; Faculty of Sciences (FCUP), Department of Biology, University of Porto (U.Porto), Porto, Portugal
| | - R Pereira
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto (U.Porto), Matosinhos, Portugal; Faculty of Sciences (FCUP), Department of Biology, University of Porto (U.Porto), Porto, Portugal
| | - T Neuparth
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto (U.Porto), Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - M C Ribeiro
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto (U.Porto), Matosinhos, Portugal; Faculty of Law, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - E Silva
- Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science, INESC-TEC, Porto, Portugal; ISEP- School of Engineering, Polytechnic of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - L Filipe C Castro
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto (U.Porto), Matosinhos, Portugal; Faculty of Sciences (FCUP), Department of Biology, University of Porto (U.Porto), Porto, Portugal.
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Pasqual AM, Yehia HC, Vieira MN. A Psychoacoustical Evaluation of the Frequency Influence on the Human Binaural-Beat Perception. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.3813/aaa.919117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Silva BF, Andreani T, Gavina A, Vieira MN, Pereira CM, Rocha-Santos T, Pereira R. Toxicological impact of cadmium-based quantum dots towards aquatic biota: Effect of natural sunlight exposure. Aquat Toxicol 2016; 176:197-207. [PMID: 27162069 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2016.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Revised: 04/21/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium-based quantum dots (QDs) are increasingly applied in existent and emerging technologies, especially in biological applications due to their exceptional photophysical and functionalization properties. However, they are very toxic compounds due to the high reactive and toxic cadmium core. The present study aimed to determine the toxicity of three different QDs (CdS 380, CdS 480 and CdSeS/ZnS) before and after the exposure of suspensions to sunlight, in order to assess the effect of environmentally relevant irradiation levels in their toxicity, which will act after their release to the environment. Therefore, a battery of ecotoxicological tests was performed with organisms that cover different functional and trophic levels, such as Vibrio fischeri, Raphidocelis subcapitata, Chlorella vulgaris and Daphnia magna. The results showed that core-shell type QDs showed lower toxic effects to V. fischeri in comparison to core type QDs before sunlight exposure. However, after sunlight exposure, there was a decrease of CdS 380 and CdS 480 QD toxicity to bacterium. Also, after sunlight exposure, an effective decrease of CdSeS/ZnS and CdS 480 toxicity for D. magna and R. subcapitata, and an evident increase in CdS 380 QD toxicity, at least for D. magna, were observed. The results of this study suggest that sunlight exposure has an effect in the aggregation and precipitation reactions of larger QDs, causing the degradation of functional groups and formation of larger bulks which may be less prone to photo-oxidation due to their diminished surface area. The same aggregation behaviour after sunlight exposure was observed for bare QDs. These results further emphasize that the shell of QDs seems to make them less harmful to aquatic biota, both under standard environmental conditions and after the exposure to a relevant abiotic factor like sunlight.
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Affiliation(s)
- B F Silva
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Rua dos Bragas, 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal
| | - T Andreani
- Centro de Investigação em Química da Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 687, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; CITAB - Centre for Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - A Gavina
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Rua dos Bragas, 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal.
| | - M N Vieira
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Rua dos Bragas, 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal
| | - C M Pereira
- Centro de Investigação em Química da Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 687, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - T Rocha-Santos
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - R Pereira
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Rua dos Bragas, 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal
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Teixeira S, Vieira MN, Espinha Marques J, Pereira R. Bioremediation of an iron-rich mine effluent by Lemna minor. Int J Phytoremediation 2014; 16:1228-40. [PMID: 24933914 DOI: 10.1080/15226514.2013.821454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Contamination of water resources by mine effluents is a serious environmental problem. In a old coal mine, in the north of Portugal (São Pedro da Cova, Gondoma),forty years after the activity has ended, a neutral mine drainage, rich in iron (FE) it stills being produced and it is continuously released in local streams (Ribeiro de Murta e Rio Ferreira) and in surrounding lands. The species Lemna minor has been shown to be a good model for ecotoxicological studies and it also has the capacity to bioaccumulate metals. The work aimed test the potential of the species L. minor to remediate this mine effluent, through the bioaccumulation of Fe, under greenhouse experiments and, at the same time, evaluate the time required to the maximum removal of Fe. The results have shown that L. minor was able to grow and develop in the Fe-rich effluent and bioaccumulating this element. Throughout the 21 days of testing it was found that there was a meaningful increase in the biomass of L. minor both in the contaminated and in the non-contaminated waters. It was also found that bioaccumulation of Fe (iron) occurred mainly during the first 7 days of testing. It was found that L. minor has potential for the bioremediation of effluents rich in iron.
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Ferreira F, Monteiro NM, Vieira MN, Reis-Henriques MA, Castro LFC, Santos MM. A real-time PCR assay for differential expression of vitellogenin I and II genes in the liver of the sentinel fish species Lipophrys pholis. Toxicol Mech Methods 2013; 23:591-7. [PMID: 23718563 DOI: 10.3109/15376516.2013.809620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract The recent advances in molecular biology techniques have prompted the use of vitellogenin (VTG) gene expression as a sensitive and reliable indicator of estrogenic chemicals (EC) exposure. However, data on the dynamic response of the different VTGs genes upon EC exposure is still poorly understood, particularly in sentinel fish species used in field monitoring studies. Hence, the present study aimed at developing a sensitive real-time PCR assay for determining the response of VTG I and II in the recently proposed marine sentinel species Lipophrys pholis upon exposure to the model EC 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2). The findings of the laboratory study indicate that L. pholis VTG I proved to be not only more inducible but also more sensitive to EE2 exposure than VTG II, for the same range of concentrations. In fact, VTG I gene induction was 475-fold higher than VTG II at 15 ng/L EE2, and 13-fold at 5 ng/L EE2. Overall, the findings of the present study indicate that in the field, expression of VTG I in L. pholis should be preferentially used in the screening of EC exposure because of its higher sensitivity. Furthermore, the present study favors L. pholis integration in monitoring programs associated with EC's pollution within the European water policy legislation.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Ferreira
- CIIMAR/CIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto , Porto , Portugal
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10
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Sárria MP, Soares J, Vieira MN, Castro LFC, Santos MM, Monteiro NM. Rapid-behaviour responses as a reliable indicator of estrogenic chemical toxicity in zebrafish juveniles. Chemosphere 2011; 85:1543-1547. [PMID: 21862102 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2011.07.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2011] [Revised: 07/20/2011] [Accepted: 07/23/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Whereas biochemical and molecular parameters have been well recognised as important "signposts" of individual disturbance to endocrine disrupting chemical's (EDCs) exposure, behavioural endpoints are yet greatly overlooked as a routine tool in environmental risk assessment of EDCs. However, life histories are intimately associated with numerous inter- and intra-specific interactions, which invariably depend on the performance of effective behaviours. Within fish species, one of the most important factors influencing energy turnover earlier in the development is locomotor activity. This essential trait reflects the organism's ability to generate and coordinate the metabolic energy required for both reproductive and non-reproductive behaviours. Inappropriate movement responses due to toxic effects of contaminants may ultimately impact important ecological variables. Therefore, in the present study, the swimming bursts of zebrafish juveniles exposed for 40 d to the synthetic estrogen ethinylestradiol (EE(2)), tested at environmentally relevant concentrations (nominal concentrations of 0.5, 1 and 2 ng L(-1)), were investigated in order to address the potential of rapid-behaviour patterns as an effective response indicator of estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemical's exposure. This synthetic estrogen was selected due to its high prevalence in aquatic ecosystems, ability to mimic natural estrogens and proven record of causing negative effects in fish reproduction. The behavioural responses were compared with established endpoints used in the screening of EE(2) effects at adulthood. Results indicate that zebrafish juveniles' swimming activity was significantly decreased upon EE(2) exposure. Since reduced locomotion of zebrafish may impact foraging, predator avoidance, drift and transport, and even interfere with social and reproductive behaviours, a fitness decline of wild fish populations can ultimately be hypothesized. Furthermore, behavioural endpoints were found to display higher sensitivity to EE(2) than either vitellogenin gene induction or reproductive parameters determined at adulthood. Overall, the findings of this work not only demonstrate the power of high-throughput behavioural responses, able to act as sensitive early warning signals of EDC exposure, but also highlight the potential of behavioural endpoints in providing a more comprehensive and non-invasive measure of EDC's exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- M P Sárria
- CIMAR/CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 177, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal
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Soares J, Coimbra AM, Reis-Henriques MA, Monteiro NM, Vieira MN, Oliveira JMA, Guedes-Dias P, Fontaínhas-Fernandes A, Parra SS, Carvalho AP, Castro LFC, Santos MM. Disruption of zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryonic development after full life-cycle parental exposure to low levels of ethinylestradiol. Aquat Toxicol 2009; 95:330-338. [PMID: 19747739 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2009.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2009] [Revised: 07/25/2009] [Accepted: 07/29/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Exposure of fish to the synthetic estrogen ethinylestradiol (EE2) has been shown to induce a large set of deleterious effects. In addition to the negative impact of EE2 in reproductive endpoints, concern has recently increased on the potential effects of EE2 in fish embryonic development. Therefore, the present study aimed at examining the effects of EE2 on the full embryonic development of zebrafish in order to identify the actual phases where EE2 disrupts this process. Hence, zebrafish were exposed to environmentally relevant low levels of EE2, 0.5, 1 and 2ng/L (actual concentrations of 0.19, 0.24 and 1ng/L, respectively) from egg up to eight months of age (F(1)), and the survival as well as the occurrence of abnormalities in their offsprings (F(2)), per stage of embryonic development, was investigated. A thorough evaluation of reproductive endpoints and transcription of vtg1 gene in the parental generation (F(1)) at adulthood, was performed. No significant differences could be observed for the two lowest EE2 treatments, in comparison with controls, whereas vtg1 transcripts were significantly elevated (40-fold) in the 2ng/L EE2 treatment. In contrast to the findings in the F(1) generation,a significant concentration-dependent increase in egg mortality between 8 and 24hours post-fertilization (hpf) was observed for all EE2 treatments, when compared with controls. The screening of egg and embryo development showed a significant increase in the percentage of abnormalities at 8 hpf for the highest EE2 concentration, a fact that might explain the increased embryo mortality at the 24 hpf time-point observation. Taken together, these findings indicate that the two lowest tested EE2 concentations impact late gastrulation and/or early organogenesis, whereas exposure to 2ng/L EE2 also disrupts development in the blastula phase. After early organogenesis has been completed (24 hpf), no further mortality was observed. These results show that increased embryo mortality occurs at EE2 levels below those inducing reproductive impairment and vtg1 gene induction in the male parental generation, thus suggesting that EE2 may impact some fish populations at levels below those inducing an increase in vtg1 transcripts. Hence, these findings have important implications for environmental risk assessment, strongly supporting the inclusion of embryonic development studies in the screening of endocrine disruption in wild fish populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Soares
- CIMAR/CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal
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12
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Santos MM, Enes P, Reis-Henriques MA, Kuballa J, Castro LFC, Vieira MN. Organotin levels in seafood from Portuguese markets and the risk for consumers. Chemosphere 2009; 75:661-666. [PMID: 19230953 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2008.12.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2008] [Revised: 12/27/2008] [Accepted: 12/30/2008] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Because of their ubiquity in the aquatic environment, the antifouling agent tributyltin (TBT) and other organotins (OTs) accumulate through the food chain, resulting in the occurrence of OTs in seafood products. Despite a high number of studies on the negative impact of TBT in female prosobranch gastropods, few works exist in Europe reporting the levels of these compounds in edible parts of marine organisms used in Human diet. Therefore, within the scope of an EU project OT-SAFE the levels of several OTs were evaluated in the most relevant seafood products for Portuguese consumers. Butyltins (BTs) have been detected in all analysed groups (fish, crustaceans, bivalves, cephalopods), whereas triphenyltin, tricyclohexyltin, monooctyltin and dioctyltin could not be detected and tetrabutyltin was present above detection limits in a single sample. In general, levels of BTs in edible parts of fish, crustaceans and cephalopods collected in Portuguese markets during this study are in the lower range of that reported for these animal groups from other locations (i.e. below 30ngg(-1) wet weight). In contrast, moderate to high concentrations have been observed in bivalves (up to 275ng TBTg(-1) wet weight). While most samples showed TBT plus DBT levels below the tolerable average residue levels (TARL), which may indicate low risk for consumer, four bivalve samples displayed BT levels above TARL, thus indicating that higher bivalve consumer groups may be at risk. The results found are discussed in relation to the potential risk for consumers and integrated with recent finds on the molecular targets of OTs in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Santos
- CIMAR/CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal.
| | - P Enes
- Department of Zoology and Anthropology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Pr. Gomes Teixeira, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
| | - M A Reis-Henriques
- CIMAR/CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal; ICBAS-Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Largo Professor, Portugal
| | - J Kuballa
- GALAB Laboratories, Max-Planck-Strasse 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
| | - L Filipe C Castro
- CIMAR/CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Studies, University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal
| | - M N Vieira
- Department of Zoology and Anthropology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Pr. Gomes Teixeira, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal; CIMAR/CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Laboratory of Ecology, University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 177, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal
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Ferreira F, Santos MM, Castro LFC, Reis-Henriques MA, Lima D, Vieira MN, Monteiro NM. Vitellogenin gene expression in the intertidal blenny Lipophrys pholis: a new sentinel species for estrogenic chemical pollution monitoring in the European Atlantic coast? Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2009; 149:58-64. [PMID: 18672093 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2008.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2007] [Revised: 07/03/2008] [Accepted: 07/03/2008] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The presence of estrogenic chemicals (ECs) in the aquatic environment is a growing problem. While most attention was initially given to fresh water and estuarine ecosystems, it is now evident that coastal marine areas are also vulnerable to these pollutants. The use of vitellogenin induction in male fish, a specific biomarker of EC exposure, has been the most widely applied methodology. However, in some occasions, the high mobility and migratory behaviour of common sentinel fish species makes data interpretation difficult. Hence, there is the need to validate new sentinel marine fish species which should display, among other features, a strong homing behaviour. The shanny, Lipophrys pholis, is an intertidal fish that combines many of the required characteristics for a sentinel species: abundance and easy of catch, wide geographical distribution and restricted home range. Thus, in order to evaluate, in the field, the species sensitivity to ECs, L. pholis males were collected at two sites reflecting different degrees of anthropogenic contamination. The vitellogenin II gene (VTGII) was isolated and its liver expression evaluated by RT-PCR in the field samples. A significant induction of gene expression was observed in the specimens collected in the urban area, if compared to the reference site, which suggests exposure to ECs. Moreover, a 21-days laboratory exposure to environmental relevant concentrations of ethinylestradiol (EE2) was also performed. A significant induction of L. pholis VTGII gene in EE2 exposed males was observed suggesting similar sensitivity to that of other marine/estuarine fishes. Even though further validation is currently in progress, the available data indicates that L. pholis is responsive to ECs, thus favouring its future integration in monitoring programmes designed to evaluate the presence of ECs in European marine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Ferreira
- CIIMAR-Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Abstract
Traditionally, the teaching of intonation on the non-tempered orchestral strings (violin, viola, cello, and double bass) has resorted to the auditory and proprioceptive senses only. This study aims at understanding the role of visual and tactile information in the control of the non-tempered intonation of the acoustic double bass. Eight musicians played 11 trials of an atonal sequence of musical notes on two double basses of different sizes under different sensorial constraints. The accuracy of the played notes was analyzed by measuring their frequencies and comparing them with respective target values. The main finding was that the performance which integrated visual and tactile information was superior in relation to the other performances in the control of double bass intonation. This contradicts the traditional belief that proprioception and hearing are the most effective feedback information in the performance of stringed instruments.
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Santos MM, Castro LFC, Vieira MN, Micael J, Morabito R, Massanisso P, Reis-Henriques MA. New insights into the mechanism of imposex induction in the dogwhelk Nucella lapillus. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2005; 141:101-9. [PMID: 15964245 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2005.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2005] [Revised: 05/09/2005] [Accepted: 05/10/2005] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In an attempt to clarify the mechanism(s) of tributyltin-mediated imposex induction in females of the neogastropod Nucella lapillus, dogwhelks collected in an almost imposex free population were exposed to several treatments for a 3 month-period, and the effects on imposex induction and testosterone/estradiol levels were evaluated. As a positive control, tributyltin (50 ng TBT Sn/L) clearly induced imposex and led to a significant increase in the severity of the phenomenon. In contrast, although a selective P450 aromatase inhibitor (formestane at 0.3 mg/L) was capable of imposex induction, it failed to increase its severity. A vertebrate androgen receptor (AR) antagonist (cyproterone acetate at 1.25 mg/L) in combination with TBT completely blocked the imposex induction capacity of TBT. On the other hand, an estrogen receptor antagonist (tamoxifen at 0.3 mg/L) rendered no effect. The determination of steroid levels in female specimens revealed that TBT induces an elevation of free testosterone (but not the total amount, free+esterified), while the co-administration of the anti-androgen and TBT was able to rescue the increase of free testosterone levels. Despite a minor decrease in the amount of testosterone-fatty acid esters in the TBT group, significant differences in esterified testosterone were not found among treatments. On the contrary, free estradiol levels were elevated in the TBT, anti-androgens and TBT plus anti-androgens groups. These results indicate that free estradiol biosynthesis in TBT-exposed females does not seem to be affected. Overall, our results demonstrate that a selective aromatase inhibitor can induce imposex in N. lapillus but not to a similar extent of TBT, which may suggest the involvement of other mechanism in imposex induction, besides aromatase inhibition. Additionally, the study points to the involvement of AR receptors in imposex induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Santos
- Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Rua dos Bragas 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal.
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16
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Ferriani MG, Ribeiro RP, da Costa Júnior ML, dos Santos GV, Vieira MN, Camargo JS, Vieira D. [Nutritional profile of families in the municipality of Ribeirao Preto]. Rev Bras Enferm 2000; 53:167-70. [PMID: 12143829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- M G Ferriani
- Depto. de Enfermagem Materno-Infantil e Saúde Pública da Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo
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Vieira MN, McInnes FR, Jack MA. Comparative assessment of electroglottographic and acoustic measures of jitter in pathological voices. J Speech Lang Hear Res 1997; 40:170-182. [PMID: 9113868 DOI: 10.1044/jslhr.4001.170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Jitter, or the amount of cycle-to-cycle variation in the fundamental frequency, is a characteristic of the vocal folds' vibration that may affect electroglottographic (EGG) and acoustic signals in similar ways, because the translaryngeal conductance and the oral pressure are modulated by the same physiological mechanism. Despite the apparent simplicity in jitter computation and the relative facility in recording and analyzing EGG signals, only a few studies comparing EGG and acoustic jitter have been reported. This can be attributed to the remarkable sensitivity of measures of acoustic jitter to such features as the type of sound being analyzed, the equipment used for data acquisition, or the algorithms used to identify glottal cycle boundaries. To assess the agreement achievable by measures from these signals in pathological voices, acoustic and EGG waveforms of sustained vowels (/i/, /a/, /u/) produced by 15 dysphonic patients were analyzed by jitter extraction methods on the basis of peaks, zero crossings, and a waveform matching technique. The agreement, expressed as normalized absolute differences between acoustic- and EGG-derived jitter, was poorer for /i/ and /u/ than for /a/ vowels. For /a/ vowels, a method of acoustic jitter estimation is also proposed that combines peaks and zero crossings and resulted in increased consistency with the zero crossing-based EGG measures (mean normalized absolute difference: 10.95%, SD: 6.44%; range: 23.81%). The proposed method, which has a built-in-test intended to reject unreliable estimates, may provide more confidence in acoustic measures in dysphonic speakers and lead to a better understanding of the relationships between acoustic and EGG signals.
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Vasconcelos LM, Cisalpino EO, Vieira MN, Koury MC. [Anti-Leptospira agglutinins in different professional groups in the city of Londrina, Paraná]. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 1992; 25:251-5. [PMID: 1340540 DOI: 10.1590/s0037-86821992000400007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Serum samples were obtained from 208 individuals in Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. The serum were analysed for leptospiral agglutinins by agglutination microscopic tests and 28.4% were positive. The highest positivity was found for the serum of garbage collector (46.7%).
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Affiliation(s)
- L M Vasconcelos
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brasil
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da Silva WD, Vieira MN, Diniz CR. The role of the complement system in the pathogenesis of acute pulmonary oedema produced by nephrotoxic serum in rats. Clin Exp Immunol 1970; 6:395-406. [PMID: 5442522 PMCID: PMC1712700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The intravenous injection of rabbit anti-rat kidney cortex serum into rats produces an acute pulmonary oedema. The first symptom to appear is dyspnoea followed by cyanosis and death. The most important pathological abnormalities were oedema and haemorrhage of the lungs. There was an apparent correlation between the onset of the acute pulmonary oedema and a drop in the total haemolytic complement titre in both normal or bilaterally nephrectomized rats. When rats were rendered complement deficient before the injection of rabbit anti-rat kidney cortex serum, the symptoms of pulmonary oedema do not appear. The nature of the mechanism through which the complement system induces these lung lesions is not yet clear. Since the vasoactive substances, histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine and kinins or other mediators derived from leucocytes are not relevant in the pathogenesis of this lung oedema, it seems likely that the complement system acts directly.
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Vieira MN, da Silva WD. 19S antibodies as mediators of pulmonary edema produced in rats by nephrotoxic serum. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1970; 133:98-102. [PMID: 4983802 DOI: 10.3181/00379727-133-34416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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