PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

P Bustamante

Publications and source records attributed to P Bustamante.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Trace elements in three marine birds breeding on Reunion Island (Western Indian ocean): part 1-factors influencing their bioaccumulation.

This work aimed to use seabirds as bioindicators of trace element levels in the tropical waters and food webs of the Western Indian Ocean. The accumulation patterns of selected toxic (Cd and Hg) and essential (Cu, Fe, Mn, Se, and Zn) elements were determined in liver, kidney, and pectoral muscle of 162 marine birds belonging to 3 species collected in Reunion Island between 2002 and 2004. These pelagic seabirds belong to the following species: Barau's Petrel (Pterodroma baraui), Audubon's Shearwater (Puffinus lherminieri bailloni), and White-Tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon lepturus). Hg levels were also measured in breast feathers. Highest mean kidney Cd and liver Hg levels (respectively, 27.79 +/- 13.78 microg x g (-1) dry weight (dw) and 24.31 +/- 14.13 microg x g (-1) dw) were found in the squid-eating Barau's Petrel. Barau's Petrel feather Hg levels fell in the range of 0.6 to 2.7 microg x g(-1) dw previously reported for other petrels and shearwaters. The values of the other elements were also in the same range as those previously reported in the published literature concerning related seabirds, although Se and Zn burdens in the Reunion birds were among the highest values. Levels of Zn, Fe, and, to a lesser extent, Cu appeared to be regulated in seabird tissues. Uptake and pathways of metabolism and storage seemed to be similar for the five essential elements. The reproductive status of the bird did not seem to affect element levels, which, moreover, were not significantly different between male and female birds. However, trace elements in sampled birds varied according to the tissue considered, the age of the animal, and its species. Diet was seemingly a major influencing factor. Health status also appeared to have an impact on element levels.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2006

Nickel bioaccumulation in bivalves from the New Caledonia lagoon: seawater and food exposure.

The New Caledonian lagoon is submitted to intense heavy metal input from land-based Ni mining. Therefore, the use of sentinel species is strongly recommended in order to develop and implement coastal zone management programmes of the metal contamination. The tropical oysters Isognomon isognomon and Malleus regula and the clam Gafrarium tumidum were previously proposed as such possible sentinel organisms and were thus investigated in this context. The three species were exposed to Ni via seawater or food using radiotracer techniques. Results indicate that uptake and retention efficiencies of Ni are independent of the dissolved Ni concentrations in the surrounding seawater. Hence, for the three species, body concentrations of Ni taken up from the dissolved phase are directly proportional to the ambient dissolved concentrations. Biokinetic patterns indicated that the major part of Ni was rapidly lost from bivalves during the first days of depuration, whereas 7 to 47% of 63Ni were retained in tissues with a biological half-life not significantly different from infinity. Finally, feeding experiments showed that Ni ingested with food (phytoplankton) was assimilated more efficiently in clams (assimilation efficiency, AE = 61%) than in oysters (AE = 17%), and was strongly retained (T(b1/2) > or = 35 d) in the tissues of both bivalves. It is concluded that the investigated species examined are efficient bioaccumulators of Ni from both the surrounding seawater and the food, and that they would be useful bioindicators for monitoring the status of Ni contamination in tropical coastal waters.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Bioaccumulation of Hg, Cu, and Zn in the Azores triple junction hydrothermal vent fields food web.

In this work, mercury (Hg), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) concentrations and tissue distribution are determined in seven benthic invertebrates species (the key species) from the Mid Atlantic Ridge (MAR) hydrothermal vent fields. The samples were collected from three hydrothermal vent fields--Menez Gwen, 840 m; Lucky Strike, 1700 m and Rainbow, 2300 m--near the Azores Triple Junction. These fields are characterized by different depths, geological context and chemical composition of the hydrothermal fluid, particularly the metal content, which is reflected by the metal concentrations in the organisms. Indeed, our results show that organisms from Menez Gwen presented the highest Hg concentrations, while those from Lucky Strike and Rainbow were richer in Cu and Zn. The potential transfer of these metals through two trophic links are also evaluated and include (1) the mussel Bathymodiolus azoricus and the commensal worm Branchipolynoe seepensis, and (2) three different species of shrimps and the crab Segonzacia mesatlantica. No evidence of Hg biomagnification in either of the vent food chains is clearly observed but an increase in Hg accumulation from prey to predator in the crustacean food chain. The same pattern was observed for Cu and Zn, even though these metals are not known to be generally biomagnified in food chains.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Solubility parameter of drugs for predicting the solubility profile type within a wide polarity range in solvent mixtures.

The solubility enhancement produced by two binary mixtures with a common cosolvent (ethanol-water and ethyl acetate-ethanol) was studied against the solubility parameter of the mixtures (delta1) to characterize different types of solubility profiles. Benzocaine, salicylic acid and acetanilide show a single peak in the least polar mixture (ethanol-ethyl acetate) at delta1=22.59, 21.70 and 20.91 MPa1/2, respectively. Phenacetin displays two solubility maxima, at delta1=25.71 (ethanol-water) and at delta1=23.30 (ethyl acetate-ethanol). Acetanilide shows an inflexion point in ethanol-water instead of a peak, and the sign of the slope does not vary when changing the cosolvent. The solubility profiles were compared to those obtained in dioxane-water, having a solubility parameter range similar to that covered with the common cosolvent system. All the drugs reach a maximum at about 90% dioxane (delta1=23 MPa1/2). A modification of the extended Hildebrand method is applicable for curves with a single maximum whereas a model including the Hildebrand solubility parameter delta1 and the acidic partial solubility parameter delta1a is required to calculate more complex solubility profiles (with inflexion point or two maxima). A single equation was able to fit the solubility curves of all drugs in the common cosolvent system. The polarity of the drug is related to the shape of the solubility profile against the solubility parameter delta1 of the solvent mixtures. The drugs with solubility parameters below 24 MPa1/2 display a single peak in ethanol-ethyl acetate. The drugs with delta2 values above 25 MPa1/2 show two maxima, one in each solvent mixture (ethanol-water and ethanol-ethyl acetate). The position of the maximum in ethanol-ethyl acetate shifts to larger polarity values (higher delta1 values) as the solubility parameter of the drug delta2 increases.

Acetanilides↗
PubMed2006

Lead contamination of small cetaceans in European waters--the use of stable isotopes for identifying the sources of lead exposure.

Lead concentrations and isotopic composition have been measured in bone and teeth of small cetaceans belonging to three species (Delphinus delphis, Phocoena phocoena and Stenella coeruleoalba), to evaluate the toxicological risk and to determine sources of lead in the European waters. Lead concentrations, far lower than threshold value inducing toxic effects in human, were higher in teeth than in bones, but highly correlated between the two tissues (r=0.92, p<0.001). Large variations of 206Pb/207Pb values in bone tissue showed that cetaceans must be submitted to various atmospheric influences. No geographical differences appeared which is consistent with studies on their distribution indicating seasonal movements between Brittany waters and the Bay of Biscay. The negative correlation between 206Pb/207Pb ratios and age of the individuals reflected the decrease in the production of alkyl lead in Europe, i.e., the increasing use of unleaded gasoline.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Total and organic Hg concentrations in cephalopods from the North Eastern Atlantic waters: influence of geographical origin and feeding ecology.

Total (T-Hg) and organic (O-Hg) mercury concentrations and tissue distribution were examined in 20 species of cephalopods (n=278) from the north eastern Atlantic waters, i.e. from the Bay of Biscay to the Faroe Islands. Concentrations of T-Hg in whole cephalopods showed elevated variations among species, i.e. from 40 to 3560ng g(-1) dwt, but a low variability within each species (mean CV%=39%). With the exception of oceanic squids, the digestive gland globally displayed higher T-Hg concentrations than the remaining tissues. In contrast, O-Hg concentrations determined in selected species were generally higher in the remaining tissues. Despite higher T-Hg concentrations, the digestive gland weakly contributed to the total body burden of both T-Hg and O-Hg (<25% and <15%, respectively). In fact, from 75% to 95% of the T-Hg and O-Hg were contained in the muscular remaining tissues. Therefore, O-Hg may have a strong affinity to proteins in cephalopods. Sex and size only significantly influenced the bioaccumulation of Hg for the Loliginidae family. T-Hg and O-Hg concentrations were also influenced by geographical origin: Celtic Sea>Bay of Biscay>Faroe Islands, corresponding to the seawater Hg concentrations in these areas. In the Faroe Islands and the Celtic Sea, benthic cephalopods contained significant higher Hg concentrations compared to pelagic ones. This suggests that diet is not the main pathway of Hg uptake in cephalopods as pelagic species were expected to be more exposed to O-Hg through fish consumption than benthic ones.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

New insights from age determination on toxic element accumulation in striped and bottlenose dolphins from Atlantic and Mediterranean waters.

This study aimed at comparing toxic element (Hg, Cd) bioaccumulation in relation to age for bottlenose (Tursiops truncatus) and striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) from Mediterranean and Atlantic waters. Metal concentrations were also measured in selected prey to infer metal exposure through the diet. As expected, Mediterranean prey exhibited the highest Hg levels, probably as a consequence of the Hg enrichment of the Mediterranean Sea. Comparing the predators from each area and taking age into account, Mediterranean bottlenose dolphins displayed higher Hg levels than Atlantic dolphins (p = 0.032), whereas Mediterranean striped dolphins did not (p = 0.691). The consumption of Myctophid fish, which showed the highest Hg levels (105+/-80 ngg(-1) w.wt.) among Atlantic prey, may explain the high Hg levels in the liver of the Atlantic striped dolphins and suggested a preferential offshore feeding behaviour in this area. Concerning Cd, no clear differences were found between geographical areas.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2005

Trace element (Cd, Cu, Hg, Se, Zn) accumulation and tissue distribution in loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) from the Western Mediterranean Sea (southern Italy).

Cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) were determined in the liver, kidney and muscle of 29 loggerhead turtles, Caretta caretta, from the South Tyrrhenian Sea (Western Mediterranean). No significant differences (p>0.05) were detected between males and females. Trace element concentrations were not influenced by the size of the specimen except Se in the liver, which was negatively correlated with the curved carapace length (p<0.001). Muscles generally displayed the lowest trace element burdens, with the exception of Zn which contained concentrations as high as 176 microgg-1dwt. Kidneys displayed the highest Cd and Se mean concentrations (57.2+/-34.6 and 15.5+/-9.1 microgg-1dwt, respectively), while liver exhibited the highest Cu and Hg levels (37.3+/-8.7 and 1.1+/-1.7 microgg-1dwt, respectively). Whichever tissue is considered, the toxic elements had elevated coefficients of variation (i.e. from 60% to 177%) compared to those of the essential ones (i.e. from 14% to 65%), which is a consequence of homeostatic processes for Cu, Se and Zn. Globally, the concentrations of Hg remained low in all the considered tissues, possibly the result of low trophic level in sea turtles. In contrast, the diet of loggerhead turtles would result in a significant exposure to Cd. Highly significant correlations between Cd and Cu and Zn in the liver and kidney suggest that efficient detoxification processes involving MT occur which prevent Cd toxicity in loggerhead turtles.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Bioaccumulation of PCBs in the cuttlefish Sepia officinalis from seawater, sediment and food pathways.

The cuttlefish Sepia officinalis was selected as a model cephalopod to study PCB bioaccumulation via seawater, sediments and food. Newly hatched, juvenile cuttlefish were exposed for 17 days to environmentally realistic concentrations of (14)C-labeled 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB#153) (18 ng PCB l(-1) seawater; 30 ng PCB g(-1) dry wt sediments; Artemia salina exposed to 18 ng PCB l(-1) seawater). Accumulation of PCB#153 was followed in three body compartments: digestive gland, cuttlebone and the combined remaining tissues. Results showed that (1) uptake kinetics were source- and body compartment-dependent, (2) for each body compartment, the accumulation was far greater when S. officinalis was exposed via seawater, (3) the cuttlebone accumulated little of the contaminant regardless of the source, and (4) the PCB congener showed a similar distribution pattern among the different body compartments following exposure to contaminated seawater, sediment or food with the lowest concentrations in the cuttlebone and the highest in the remaining tissues. The use of radiotracer techniques allowed delineating PCB kinetics in small whole organisms as well as in their separate tissues. The results underscore the enhanced ability of cephalopods to concentrate organic pollutants such as PCBs, and raise the question of potential risk to their predators in contaminated areas.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Bioaccumulation of PCBs in the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus: seawater and food exposures to a 14C-radiolabelled congener (PCB#153).

Adult Paracentrotus lividus were exposed to a 14C-labelled PCB congener (PCB#153) using two different exposure modes: (1) the surrounding sea water and (2) the food (viz. the phanerogam Posidonia oceanica and the brown alga Taonia atomaria). Uptake kinetics from water and loss kinetics after single feeding were followed in four body compartments of the sea urchins (body wall, spines, gut and gonads). Results indicate that PCB bioaccumulation in P. lividus varies from one body compartment to another, with the exposure mode and the nature of the food. The echinoids accumulate PCB#153 more efficiently when exposed via water than via the food (the transfer efficiency is higher by one order of magnitude). Target body compartments of PCB#153 were found to be body wall and spines when individuals were exposed via water, and gut when they were exposed via food. It is concluded that P. lividus is an efficient bioaccumulator of PCB and that it could be considered as an interesting indicator for monitoring PCB contamination in the marine environment.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2004

Solubility prediction in water-ethanol mixtures based on the excess free energy approach using a minimum number of experimental data.

The solubility of nalidixic acid in water-ethanol mixtures has been determined at 25 degrees C. The generated solubility data sets have been used to assess the accuracy of different numerical analyses for the excess free energy model and a new numerical method for solubility prediction in water-ethanol mixtures based on four experimental determinations is proposed. The accuracy of a previously presented numerical method to fit all data points is compared with that of a proposed analysis using average percentage deviation (APD). The APD obtained are 14.6 (+/- 8.0) and 8.4 (+/- 4.1), respectively for previous and proposed methods. A minimum number of three and four data points employed to train the original forms of the excess free energy model and the solubility at other solvent compositions were predicted. The APDs obtained were 61.4 and 23.0%, respectively. The APD produced for the proposed numerical method was 16.1%.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2003

Distribution of trace elements in the tissues of benthic and pelagic fish from the Kerguelen Islands.

New information on the concentrations of Cd, Cu, Hg and Zn in the liver, kidney and muscles of eight marine benthic and pelagic sub-Antarctic fish species are presented to determine the importance of these metals in the marine systems of the Kerguelen Islands. Compared to the reported metal concentrations in other Antarctic fish species, the present results are globally within the same range of concentrations, although Cd displayed a very high interspecific variability in liver and kidney. Indeed, the highest Cd concentrations in liver, ranging from 10.0 to 52.1 microg x g(-1) dry wt. but also the lowest Cd concentrations in muscles (<0.030 microg x g(-1) dry wt.) have been displayed by the pelagic Myctophidae Gymnoscopelus piabilis. Metal concentrations differences might be related to diet and feeding habits of benthic and pelagic fish species. However, Cd and Hg concentrations in the edible muscle are lower than the French limit values (<or=0.155 microg x Cd x g(-1) dry wt. and <or=1.51 microg x Hg x g(-1) dry wt.) for these toxic metals as well as for edible and non-commercially interesting fish species. Results for Cd in fish tissues are consistent with the hypothesis of Cd-enrichment in the polar food webs typically explained by essential elements depletion. In fact, Zn concentrations in fish from the Kerguelen Islands are comparable to those of other areas but low Cu concentrations in fish livers, ranging from 0.9 to 24.7 microg x g(-1) dry wt., might indicate low availability of this essential element in these sub-Antarctic waters.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Trace elements in two odontocete species (Kogia breviceps and Globicephala macrorhynchus) stranded in New Caledonia (South Pacific).

Liver, muscle and blubber tissues of two short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) and two pygmy sperm whales(Kogia breviceps) stranded on the coast of New Caledonia have been analysed for 12 trace elements (Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu. Fe, organic and total Hg, Mn, Ni, Se, V, and Zn). Liver was shown to be the most important accumulating organ for Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Se, and Zn in both species, G. macrorhynchus having the highest Cd, Hg, Se and Zn levels. In this species, concentrations of total Hg are particularly elevated, reaching up to 1452 microg g(-1) dry wt. Only a very low percentage of the total Hg was organic. In both species,the levels of Hg are directly related to Se in liver. Thus, a molar ratio of Hg:Se close to 1.0 was found for all specimens, except for the youngest K. breviceps. Our results suggest that G. macrorhynchus have a physiology promoting the accumulation of high levels of naturally occurring toxic elements. Furthermore, concentrations of Ni, Cr and Co are close to or below the detection limit in the liver and muscles of all specimens. This suggests that mining activity in New Caledonia, which typically elevates the levels of these contaminants in the marine environment, does not seem to be a significant source of contamination for these pelagic marine mammals.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2002

Concentration and distribution of 210Po in the tissues of the scallop Chlamys varia and the mussel Mytilus edulis from the coasts of Charente-Maritime (France).

Polonium-210 (210Po) has been analysed in the soft parts of two bivalves species, the scallop Chlamys varia and the common mussel Mytilus edulis, from the Bay of La Rochelle and Ré Island, on the French Atlantic coast. Between those sites, the highest 210Po concentrations have been found in whole scallop soft parts from La Rochelle, reaching 1,181 +/- 29 Bq kg(-1) dry weight (dwt), a size effect being related to the highest 210Po concentration in the smallest scallops. The results show a significant difference in concentrations for similar size individuals between species in each site (C. varia > M. edulis) and between sites for each species (Ré Island > Bay of La Rochelle). Very high 210Po concentrations have been found in the digestive gland of C varia, ranging 3,150-4,637 Bq kg(-1) dwt. Thus, the digestive gland contains up to 60% of the radionuclide. Subcellular investigations have shown that approximately 40% of the 210Po contained in the digestive gland is in the cytosolic fraction, suggesting a high bioavailability of the 210Po from this fraction to the trophic upper level. Calculations will show that approximately 4 kg of scallops flesh intake would be necessary to reach the annual incorporation limit of 1 mSv.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Cadmium detoxification processes in the digestive gland of cephalopods in relation to accumulated cadmium concentrations.

The high concentrations of cadmium recorded in the digestive gland of cephalopods from various temperate and subpolar waters suggest that these molluscs have developed efficient cadmium detoxification mechanisms. The subcellular distribution of cadmium in the digestive gland cells was investigated in seven cephalopod species from the Bay of Biscay (France) and the Faroe Islands. In most species, cadmium was mainly found in the cytosolic fraction of the digestive gland cells, reaching up to 86% of the total cadmium for the squid Loligo vulgaris from the Bay of Biscay. But species with the highest total level of cadmium showed a higher percentage of cadmium associated to insoluble compounds. The quantification of metallothioneins (MTs) by the polarographic method was performed in order to evaluate the involvement of these proteins in the detoxification of the high amounts of bioaccumulated cadmium. Metallothionein levels in cephalopods ranged form 742 +/- 270 to 3478 +/- 1572 microg/g wet weight. No relationship could be established between total cadmium, cytosolic cadmium and MT levels suggesting the occurrence of other Cd-binding ligands. Although these proteins have not been characterised, as cadmium in the digestive gland of cephalopods is mainly associated with soluble ligands, a high potential transfer to predators can be predicted.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Cadmium-containing granules in kidney tissue of the Atlantic white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhyncus acutus) off the Faroe Islands.

Top predators from the northern sub-polar and polar areas exhibit high cadmium concentrations in their tissues. In the aim to reveal possible adverse effects, samples of five Atlantic white-sided dolphins Lagenorhyncus acutus have been collected on the occasion of the drive fishery in the Faroe Islands, for ultrastructural investigations and energy dispersive X-ray microanalyses. Cadmium concentrations were less than the limit of detection in both immature individuals and ranged from 22.7 to 31.1 microg x g(-1) wet weight in the mature individuals. Two individuals with the highest cadmium concentrations exhibited electron dense mineral concretions in the basal membranes of the proximal tubules. They are spherocrystals made up of numerous strata mineral deposit of calcium and phosphorus together with cadmium. Cadmium has been detected with a molar ratio of Ca:Cd of 10:1 in the middle of these concretions. To our knowledge, this is the first report of such granules in a wild vertebrate. The role of these granules in the detoxification of the metal and the possible pathological effects are considered.

Animals↗