Home About us Contact | |||
Drinking Water (drinking + water)
Terms modified by Drinking Water Selected AbstractsExpression of a plant-derived peptide harboring water-cleaning and antimicrobial activitiesBIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 1 2003M. Suarez Abstract Drinking water is currently a scarce world resource, the preparation of which requires complex treatments that include clarification of suspended particles and disinfection. Seed extracts of Moringa oleifera Lam., a tropical tree, have been proposed as an environment-friendly alternative, due to their traditional use for the clarification of drinking water. However, the precise nature of the active components of the extract and whether they may be produced in recombinant form are unknown. Here we show that recombinant or synthetic forms of a cationic seed polypeptide mediate efficient sedimentation of suspended mineral particles and bacteria. Unexpectedly, the polypeptide was also found to possesses a bactericidal activity capable of disinfecting heavily contaminated water. Furthermore, the polypeptide has been shown to efficiently kill several pathogenic bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant isolates of Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Legionella species. Thus, this polypeptide displays the unprecedented feature of combining water purification and disinfectant properties. Identification of an active principle derived from the seed extracts points to a range of potential for drinking water treatment or skin and mucosal disinfection in clinical settings. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 81: 13,20, 2003. [source] Experimental esophageal carcinogenesis: technical standardization and resultsDISEASES OF THE ESOPHAGUS, Issue 4 2002J. A. Sallet SUMMARY., The aim of this research was to determine the occurrence of epidermoid carcinoma of the esophagus induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) in Wistar rats. DEN was administered (250,300 g) in drinking water (10 mg/kg body weight) to four groups of rats for 72 h/week, for a duration of 90, 120, 150, or 200 days (groups T90, T120, T150, and T200). Ten animals whose drinking water did not contain DEN constituted the control group. All rats were sacrificed and their esophaguses studied macro- and microscopically. The control group did not exhibit either carcinomas or preneoplasic lesions. The T120 and T200 groups presented, respectively, 47 and 58 in situ carcinomas; 1 and 20 submucosal carcinomas (P < 0.05); 4 and 17 microinvasive carcinomas (P < 0.05); 4 and 11 advanced carcinomas (P < 0.05); and 1 and 1 cases of benign hyperplasia. Pulmonary and liver carcinomas were also found in the T200 group. The majority of advanced macroscopic lesions in the T200 group were polypoid, exophytic, and not microscopically invasive in the esophageal wall. This research confirms the effectiveness of the DEN in bringing about carcinogenesis in the Wistar rat esophagus and also shows that the lesions are dosage dependent. [source] Simultaneous Quantitative Determination of Cadmium, Lead, and Copper on Carbon-Ink Screen-Printed Electrodes by Differential Pulse Anodic Stripping Voltammetry and Partial Least Squares RegressionELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 23 2008Michael Cauchi Abstract Water is a vital commodity for every living entity on the planet. However, water resources are threatened by various sources of contamination from pesticides, hydrocarbons and heavy metals. This has resulted in the development of concepts and technologies to create a basis for provision of safe and high quality drinking water. This paper focuses on the simultaneous quantitative determination of three common contaminants, the heavy metals cadmium, lead and copper. Multivariate calibration was applied to voltammograms acquired on in-house printed carbon-ink screen-printed electrodes by the highly sensitive electrochemical method of differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV). The statistically inspired modification of partial least squares (SIMPLS) algorithm was employed to effect the multivariate calibration. The application of data pretreatment techniques involving range-scaling, mean-centering, weighting of variables and the effects of peak realignment are also investigated. It was found that peak realignment in conjunction with weighting and SIMPLS led to the better overall root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) value. This work represents significant progress in the development of multivariate calibration tools in conjunction with analytical techniques for water quality determination. It is the first time that multivariate calibration has been performed on DPASV voltammograms acquired on carbon-ink screen-printed electrodes. [source] Somatic mutant frequency at the HPRT locus in children associated with a pediatric cancer cluster linked to exposure to two superfund sitesENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS, Issue 4 2005Pamela M. Vacek Abstract The somatic mutant frequency (Mf) of the hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT) gene has been widely used as a biomarker for the genotoxic effects of exposure but few studies have found an association with environmental exposures. We measured background Mfs in 49 current and former residents of Dover Township, New Jersey, who were exposed during childhood to industrially contaminated drinking water. The exposed subjects were the siblings of children who developed cancer after residing in Dover Township, where the incidence of childhood cancer has been elevated since 1979. Mfs from this exposed group were compared to Mfs in 43 age-matched, presumably unexposed residents of neighboring communities with no known water contamination and no increased cancer incidence. Statistical comparisons were based on the natural logarithm of Mf (lnMF). The mean Mf for the exposed group did not differ significantly from the unexposed group (3.90 × 10,6 vs. 5.06 × 10,6; P = 0.135), but unselected cloning efficiencies were higher in the exposed group (0.55 vs. 0.45; P = 0.005). After adjustment for cloning efficiency, lnMf values were very similar in both groups and age-related increases were comparable to those previously observed in healthy children. The results suggest that HPRT Mf may not be a sensitive biomarker for the genotoxic effects of environmental exposures in children, particularly when substantial time has elapsed since exposure. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Modifying effect of propolis on dimethylhydrazine-induced DNA damage but not colonic aberrant crypt foci in ratsENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS, Issue 1 2005Rodrigo O. Alves de Lima Abstract Propolis is a honeybee product with several biological and therapeutic properties, including antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic activities. The effects of an aqueous extract of propolis (AEP) were evaluated on the formation of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and DNA damage in the colon of male Wistar rats by the ACF and Comet assays, respectively. AEP was administered orally at 0.01%, 0.03%, 0.1%, and 0.3% in the drinking water, which resulted in doses of approximately 12, 34, 108, and 336 mg/kg body weight/day. Animals were also given a single subcutaneous injection of 40 mg/kg DMH and sacrificed 4 hr later for evaluating DNA damage, or 4 doses of 40 mg/kg DMH, administered 2 doses/week for 2 weeks, and sacrificed 12 weeks after the last injection for evaluating ACF development in the distal colon. Administration of AEP either simultaneously with or after the DMH treatment resulted in no statistically significant reduction of ACF. In contrast, 0.01%, 0.03%, and 0.3% AEP, given simultaneously with DMH, reduced DNA damage induction in the mid and distal colon. However, 0.3% AEP alone increased DNA damage in the colon. In conclusion, AEP had no effect on the formation of DMH-induced ACF in rat colon, but it modulated DMH-induced DNA damage in colon cells. Further investigations are recommended in order to establish the conditions under which propolis produces either protective or deleterious effects. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2005. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Evaluation of mutant frequencies of chemically induced tumors and normal tissues in ,/cII transgenic miceENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS, Issue 1 2005Jon C. Mirsalis Abstract Genomic instability has been implicated as an important component in tumor progression. Evaluation of mutant frequencies (MFs) in tumors of transgenic mice containing nontranscribed marker genes should be useful for quantitating mutation rates in tumors as the physiologically inactive transgene provides neither a positive nor a negative selective pressure on the tumor. We have conducted long-term carcinogenicity studies in ,/cII transgenic B6C3F1 mice using a variety of genotoxic and nongenotoxic test agents and have evaluated the mutant frequencies in both tumors and normal tissues from these animals. Mice were administered diethylnitrosamine (DEN) as three intraperitoneal injections of 15 mg/kg; phenobarbital (PB) or oxazepam (OXP) provided ad libitum at 0.1% or 0.25% in the diet, respectively; DEN initiation plus PB in the diet; or urethane (UTH) provided ad libitum at 0.2% in the drinking water. Normal tissues and tumors were isolated at various times over a 2-year period and half of each tissue/tumor was evaluated histopathologically and the other half was evaluated for MF in the cII transgene. Approximately 20 mutants from each of 166 individual tissues (tumor and nontumor) were sequenced to determine whether increases in MF represented unique mutations or were due to clonal expansion. UTH produced significant increases in MF in normal liver and lung. DEN either with or without PB promotion produced significant increases in MF in liver and correction of MF for clonality produced little change in the overall MF in these groups. PB produced a twofold increase in liver MF over controls after 27 weeks of treatment, but a similar increase was not observed with longer dosing times; at later time points, the MF in the PB groups was lower than that of the control group, suggesting that PB is not producing direct DNA damage in the liver. OXP failed to produce an increase in MF over controls, even after 78 weeks of treatment. Selected cases of genomic instability were observed in tumors from all treatments except OXP, with individual liver tumors showing very high MF values even after clonal correction. One rare and interesting finding was noted in a single mouse treated with UTH, where a mammary metastasis had an MF approximately 10-fold greater than the parent tumor, with 75% of the mutations independent, providing strong evidence of genomic instability. There was no clear correlation between tumor phenotype and MF except that pulmonary adenomas generally had higher MFs than normal lung in both genotoxic and nongenotoxic treatment groups. Likewise, there was no correlation between tumor size and MF after correction for clonality. The results presented here demonstrate that individual tumors can show significant genomic instability, with very significant increases in MF that are not attributed to clonal expansion of a single mutant cell. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2005. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Bacterial and mammalian-cell genotoxicity of mixtures of chlorohydroxyfuranones, by-products of water chlorinationENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS, Issue 4 2004Jorma Mäki-Paakkanen Abstract The genotoxic responses of mixtures of four chlorohydroxyfuranones (CHFs), 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone (MX), 3,4-dichloro-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone (MCA), 3-chloro- 4-(chloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone (CMCF) and 3-chloro-4-methyl-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone (MCF), were compared with the genotoxicity of the individual compounds. Genotoxicity was evaluated in the Salmonella reversion assay (Ames test), the in vitro Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell Hprt mutation assay, and in the CHO chromosome aberration test. When tested individually, the concentrations of the chemicals that were chosen for the mixtures induced no or only a modest increase in the genotoxic effects, and caused little or no cytotoxicity. In the Ames test, the genotoxic responses caused by the mixtures of CHFs did not follow simple additivity. Synergism was observed with strains TA97 and TA98, and antagonism with strain TA100. In the CHO/Hprt mutation assay, the mutagenic response of the mixtures was inconsistent, with near additivity seen with a mixture of CHFs that resulted in 12% cell survival. In contrast, the four CHFs together consistently caused more structural chromosome damage (mainly chromatid-type breaks and exchanges) compared to the sum of net effects of the four CHFs tested alone. Also, a potentiating effect was consistently seen for the cytotoxicity of the CHF mixtures both in the CHO/Hprt mutation assay and the chromosome aberration test. The present results indicate that the genotoxic effects of CHF mixtures can be greater than additive. Such effects may be worth considering in the cancer risk assessment of chlorinated drinking water. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 43:217,225, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] A new morphospecies of Microcystis sp. forming bloom in the Cheffia dam (Algeria): Seasonal variation of microcystin concentrations in raw water and their removal in a full-scale treatment plantENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY, Issue 4 2007Hichèm Nasri Abstract Toxic cyanobacterial blooms are an increasing problem in Algeria. The production of cyanotoxins (microcystins) and their presence in drinking water represent growing hazards to human health. In this study, seasonal variations in the concentrations of total microcystins and physicochemical parameters (pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, nitrate, orthophosphate, and chlorophyll- a) were analyzed in the Cheffia dam (Algeria), mainly used to supply drinking water. The removal of cyanobacterial cells and microcystins was also evaluated in full-scale plant associated with the Cheffia reservoir. The levels of microcystins (MCYSTs) in both raw and drinking water were evaluated using the protein phosphatase type 2A (PP2A) inhibition test as MCYST-LR equivalents. Identification of microcystin variants was achieved by LC/MS/MS. During the period of study (March,December 2004), microscopic observation showed the dominance in the autumn months (September,November) of a new morphospecies of Microcystis sp. The MCYST-LR equivalent concentrations in raw water varied between 50.8 and 28,886 ng L,1. The highest level of toxins was observed in October 2004 and was significantly correlated with the chlorophyll- a. Three variants of microcystins assigned as microcystin-YR (MCYST-YR), microcystin-LR (MCYST-LR), and 6Z -Adda stereoisomer of MCYST-LR were observed in the crude extract of the Microcystis sp. bloom sample. During the bloom period, total elimination of Microcystis sp. and toxins were achieved through a classical treatment plant comprised of coagulation and flocculation, powdered activated carbon at 15 mg L,1, slow sand filtration and chlorination before storage. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 22: 347,356, 2007. [source] Effects of dietary boron on cervical cytopathology and on micronucleus frequency in exfoliated buccal cellsENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY, Issue 1 2007Mehmet Korkmaz Abstract Recent evidence indicates that boron and borates may have anticarcinogenic properties. In this study, we have investigated the incidence of adverse cytological findings in cervical smears and the micronucleus (MN) frequency in women living in boron-rich and boron-poor regions. Cervical smears were prepared from 1059 women with low socioeconomic status; 472 of the women lived in relatively boron-rich rural areas, while 587 lived in relatively boron-poor regions. The average and standard deviation values for the age of the women screened with the cervical Pap smear test were 41.55 ± 8.38. The mean dietary intake of boron was 8.41 mg/day for women from the boron-rich regions, and 1.26 mg/day for women living in the boron-poor regions (P < 0.0001). Women from the boron-rich regions had no cytopathological indications of cervical cancer, while there were cytopathological findings for 15 women from the boron-poor areas (,2 = 10.473, P < 0.05). Sixty women, 30 from each region, were chosen for evaluating MN frequencies in exfoliated buccal cells. MN frequencies for women from the boron-rich and boron-poor regions were not significantly different (t = ,0.294, P > 0.05). Also, there were no significant correlations between age and MN frequency for women from both the boron-rich (r = 0.133, P = 0.48, P > 0.05) and boron-poor (r = ,0.033, P = 0.861, P > 0.05) regions. The results suggest that ingestion of boron in the drinking water decreases the incidence of cervical cancer-related histopathological findings. There was no correlation between the pathological findings from the cervical smears and buccal cell MN frequency suggesting that the two study populations were exposed equally to gentotoxic agents. Nonetheless, cervical cancer-related histopathological findings should be validated by other researchers. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 22: 17,25, 2007. [source] Oral toxicity of the cyanobacterial toxin cylindrospermopsin in mice: Long-term exposure to low dosesENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY, Issue 6 2006A. Sukenik Abstract The hepatotoxin cylindrospermopsin, a sulfated-guanidinium alkaloid with substituted dioxypyrimidine (uracil) moiety, was isolated from several cyanobacteria species. The acute toxicity of cylindrospermopsin was well established based on intraperitoneal and oral exposure; however, only a few long-term subacute exposure studies were performed to permit a reliable guideline value for cylindrospermopsin in drinking water. In the study reported herein, female and male mice were exposed to cylindrospermopsin in their drinking water. Cylindrospermopsin-containing, Aphanizomenon ovalisporum (cyanobacterium)-free medium was provided as the only source of drinking water, whereas a control group was given a fresh medium for cyanobacteria as drinking water. Over a period of 42 weeks, experiment groups were exposed to cylindrospermopsin concentration, gradually increased from 100 to 550 ,g L,1 (daily exposure ranged between 10 and 55 ,g kg,1 day,1). Body and organ weights were recorded, and serum and hematology analyses were performed 20 and 42 weeks after the beginning of the experiment. The most pronounced effect of cylindrospermopsin was elevated hematocrit levels in both male and female mice after 16 weeks of exposure to cylindrospermopsin. The observed changes in the hematocrit level were accompanied by deformation of red blood cells, which were changed into acanthocyte. Based on these results, a daily cylindrospermopsin dose of 20 ,g kg,1 day,1 (equivalent to 200 ,g L,1) is proposed as the lowest-observed-adverse-effect level for both male and female mice. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 21: 575,582, 2006. [source] Oral toxicity of the cyanobacterial toxin cylindrospermopsin in male Swiss albino mice: Determination of no observed adverse effect level for deriving a drinking water guideline valueENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY, Issue 2 2003A. R. Humpage Abstract The cyanobacterial toxin cylindrospermopsin (CYN) is a frequent contaminant of freshwaters throughout the world, including those that are sources of drinking water. The first cases of human poisoning attributed to this toxin occurred from a treated drinking water supply in Queensland, Australia, in 1979. The toxin causes extensive damage to the liver, kidneys, spleen, heart, and other organs. It is known to be a potent protein synthesis inhibitor, but there is mounting evidence for genotoxicity and that it metabolizes to even more toxic forms. As part of a risk assessment process leading to a guideline for a safe drinking water level for this toxin, we performed a series of experiments to determine a no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) for this toxin. In the first trial male mice were exposed to CYN-containing cyanobacterial extract in their drinking water (0,657 ,g CYN kg,1 day,1) for 10 weeks. In the second trial mice received purified CYN by daily gavage (0,240 ,g CYN kg,1 day,1) for 11 weeks. Body and organ weights were recorded; urine, serum, and hematology analyses were performed; and histopathological examination of tissues was carried out. Body weights were significantly increased at low doses (30 and 60 ,g kg,1 day,1) and decreased at high doses (432 and 657 ,g kg,1 day,1). Liver and kidney weights were significantly increased at doses of 240 ,g kg,1 day,1 and 60 ,g kg,1 day,1, respectively. Serum bilirubin levels were significantly increased and bile acids significantly decreased at doses of 216 ,g kg day,1 and greater. Urine total protein was significantly decreased at doses above 60 ,g kg,1 day,1. The kidney appeared to be the more sensitive organ to this toxin. If it is assumed that increased organ weights and changes in functional capacity are responses to an underlying toxic effect, then the NOAEL based on this data is 30 ,g kg,1 day,1, which, with standard calculations and uncertainty factors, provides a proposed guideline safety value of 1 ,g/L in drinking water. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 18: 94,103, 2003. [source] Occurrence and fate of micropollutants in the Vidy Bay of Lake Geneva, Switzerland.ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 8 2010Part II: Micropollutant removal between wastewater, raw drinking water Abstract The occurrence and removal of 58 pharmaceuticals, endocrine disruptors, corrosion inhibitors, biocides, and pesticides, were assessed in the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) of the city of Lausanne, Switzerland, as well as in the effluent-receiving water body, the Vidy Bay of Lake Geneva. An analytical screening method to simultaneously measure all of the 58 micropollutants was developed based on ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled to a tandem mass spectrometer (UPLC-MS/MS). The selection of pharmaceuticals was primarily based on a prioritization study, which designated them as environmentally relevant for the Lake Geneva region. Except for the endocrine disruptor 17,-ethinylestradiol, all substances were detected in 24-h composite samples of wastewater entering the WWTP or in the treated effluent. Of these compounds, 40% were also detected in raw drinking water, pumped from the lake 3,km downstream of the WWTP. The contributions of dilution and degradation to micropollutant elimination between the WWTP outlet and the raw drinking water intake were established in different model scenarios using hypothetical residence times of the wastewater in Vidy Bay of 1, 4, or 90 d. Concentration decrease due to processes other than dilution was observed for diclofenac, beta-blockers, several antibiotics, corrosion inhibitors, and pesticides. Measured environmental concentrations (MECs) of pharmaceuticals were compared to the predicted environmental concentrations (PECs) determined in the prioritization study and agreed within one order of magnitude, but MECs were typically greater than the corresponding PECs. Predicted no-effect concentrations of the analgesic paracetamol, and the two antibiotics ciprofloxacin and sulfamethoxazole, were exceeded in raw drinking water samples and therefore present a potential risk to the ecosystem. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010; 29:1658,1668. © 2010 SETAC [source] Antidepressants and their metabolites in municipal wastewater, and downstream exposure in an urban watershedENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 1 2010Chris D. Metcalfe Abstract Antidepressants are a widely prescribed group of pharmaceuticals that can be biotransformed in humans to biologically active metabolites. In the present study, the distribution of six antidepressants (venlafaxine, bupropion, fluoxetine, sertraline, citalopram, and paroxetine) and five of their metabolites was determined in a municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and at sites downstream of two WWTPs in the Grand River watershed in southern Ontario, Canada. Fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) caged in the Grand River downstream of a WWTP were also evaluated for accumulated antidepressants. Finally, drinking water was analyzed from a treatment plant that takes its water from the Grand River 17 km downstream of a WWTP. In municipal wastewater, the antidepressant compounds present in the highest concentrations (i.e., >0.5 µg/L) were venlafaxine and its two demethylation products, O - and N -desmethyl venlafaxine. Removal rates of the target analytes in a WWTP were approximately 40%. These compounds persisted in river water samples collected at sites up to several kilometers downstream of discharges from WWTPs. Venlafaxine, citalopram, and sertraline, and demethylated metabolites were detected in fathead minnows caged 10 m below the discharge from a WWTP, but concentrations were all <7 µg/kg wet weight. Venlafaxine and bupropion were detected at very low (<0.005 µg/L) concentrations in untreated drinking water, but these compounds were not detected in treated drinking water. The present study illustrates that data are needed on the distribution in the aquatic environment of both the parent compound and the biologically active metabolites of pharmaceuticals. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:79,89. © 2009 SETAC [source] Perchlorate assessment of the Nakdong and Yeongsan watersheds, Republic of KoreaENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 7 2007Oscar Quiñones Abstract The objective of the present study was to conduct a preliminary assessment for perchlorate in surface water, drinking water, and wastewater treatment plant effluent samples obtained from the Nakdong and Yeongsan watersheds in the Republic of Korea. Samples were analyzed for perchlorate using ion chromatography with suppressed conductivity detection (IC-CD) and/or liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry detection (LC-MS/MS). Method reporting limits were 5.0 ,g/L for IC-CD and 0.05 ,g/L for LC-MS/MS analysis. At perchlorate levels above 5.0 ,g/L, IC-CD and LC-MS/MS provided comparable results. The levels of perchlorate detected in the samples procured from the Yeongsan watershed were <5.0 ,g/L in each case. However, Nakdong watershed samples contained perchlorate at levels up to 60 ,g/L. The highest concentrations of perchlorate were found in surface water samples, although drinking water contained perchlorate at concentrations up to 35 ,g/L. In a subset of samples analyzed by LC-MS/MS, chlorate and bromate also were detected at concentrations ranging from <0.10 to 44 ,g/L and <0.10 to 2.6 ,g/L, respectively. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first perchlorate assessment reported for water sources in the Republic of Korea. [source] Mutagenicity and disinfection by-products in surface drinking water disinfected with peracetic acidENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2002Silvano Monarca Abstract The aims of this research were to study the influence of peracetic acid (PAA) on the formation of mutagens in surface waters used for human consumption and to assess its potential application for the disinfection of drinking water. The results obtained using PAA were compared to those found with sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) and chlorine dioxide (ClO2). The Ames test, root anaphase aberration assay, and root/micronuclei assay in Allium cepa and Tradescantia/micronuclei test were used to evaluate the mutagenicity of disinfected samples. Microbiological tests were also performed, and disinfection by-products (DBPs) were identified using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). A slight bacterial mutagenicity was found in raw lake and river water, and similar activity was detected in disinfected samples. A plant test revealed genotoxicity in raw river water, and microbiological analysis showed that PAA has bactericidal activity but lower than that of the other disinfectants. The DBPs produced by PAA were mainly carboxylic acids, which are not recognized as mutagenic, whereas the waters treated with the other disinfectants showed the presence of mutagenic/carcinogenic halogenated DBPs. However, additional experiments should be performed with higher concentrations of PAA and using water with higher organic carbon content to better evaluate this disinfectant. [source] Histologic and morphologic effects of valproic acid and oxcarbazepine on rat uterine and ovarian cellsEPILEPSIA, Issue 1 2010Ali Cansu Summary Purpose:, To determine the histologic and morphologic effects of valproic acid (VPA) and oxcarbazepine (OXC) on rat uterine and ovarian cells. Methods:, Fifty-six female prepubertal Wistar rats (21,24 days old and weighing between 47.5 and 58.1 g) were divided equally into four groups, which were given drinking water (controls), 300 mg/kg/day of VPA, 100 mg/kg/day of OXC or VPA + OXC via gavage, for 90 days. Ovaries and uteri of rats on proestrous and diestrous phases of estrous cycle were extirpated and placed in a fixation solution. The tissue specimens were assessed with apoptosis (TUNEL) staining protocols, eosinophil counting, and electron microscopic techniques. Results:, In uteri, apoptosis in stroma, mitochondrial swelling, and cristolysis were observed in the VPA group, and OXC led to negative effects on epithelial cell and intracellular edema. In ovaries, both drugs increased apoptosis and intracytoplasmic edema. Organelle structure disruption was also observed in the OXC group. More conspicuous degenerative modifications were determined in the VPA + OXC group. In uteri, the number of TUNEL-positive luminal epithelial cells was 7.20 ± 1.32 in controls, and significantly increased to 29.60 ± 1.58, 34.20 ± 2.53, and 54.80 ± 2.04 in VPA, OXC, and VPA + OXC groups, respectively (p < 0.001). The highest number of TUNEL-positive glandular epithelium cells was observed in the VPA + OXC group; however, the number of TUNEL-positive stroma cells was highest in the VPA group. The highest number of eosinophils in stroma was in the VPA group. Conclusion:, VPA and OXC trigger apoptotic and degenerative effects on rat uterine and ovarian cells. VPA also prevents implantation of embryo to the uterus and causes abortion via endometrial eosinophil infiltration. [source] New drug combinations for the treatment of murine AIDS and macrophage protectionEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION, Issue 3 2001A. Fraternale The failure of highly active antiretroviral therapies (HAART) is mainly due to the existence of latent infected reservoirs, such as macrophages and resting CD4+ T cells. In this paper, we report the results that we obtained in a murine model of AIDS by alternating the administration of the lympholitic drug 2-Fluoro-ara-AMP (Fludarabine) to eliminate the infected cells, with that of Azidothymidine (AZT) plus reduced glutathione (GSH) encapsulated in erythrocytes, to protect lymphocytes and macrophages not yet infected, respectively. Two groups of infected mice were treated as follows: one group was treated by alternating the administration of Fludarabine and AZT (treatment A), while the other group received the same treatment plus GSH-loaded erythrocytes given with AZT (treatment A + L,RBC). Fludarabine was administered intraperitoneally, AZT in the drinking water and GSH was encapsulated in erythrocytes by a procedure of hypotonic dialysis and isotonic resealing. The results obtained show that GSH-loaded erythrocytes provide additive effects in all the parameters examined. Alternation of a lympholitic drug and antiretroviral drug is effective in reducing the progression of murine AIDS. Addition of a system to protect macrophages provides additive effects in almost all the parameters considered, confirming that combination therapies aimed at protecting different infectable cell compartments are better than treatments protecting mainly lymphocytes. [source] Caries and dental fluorosis in a western Saharan population of refugee childrenEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORAL SCIENCES, Issue 6 2008José Manuel Almerich-Silla The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between dental fluorosis and dental caries among western Saharan refugee children. The western Saharan child population is characterized by adverse living conditions, an unbalanced diet, poor oral hygiene habits, and a concentration of fluoride in the drinking water of around 2 p.p.m. (2 mg l,1). A sample consisting of 360 children, 6,7 yr of age, and 212 children, 11,13 yr of age, was obtained from four refugee camps (Smara, Awsard, El-Aaiun, and 27-February) situated in the vicinity of Tindouf (southern Algeria). The children were examined using the World Health Organization criteria for caries diagnosis and Dean's index for fluorosis. The decayed, missing or filled teeth (DMFT) score was 0.48 in the 6,7-yr-old children and 1.69 in the 11,13-yr-old children, with a caries prevalence (DMFT > 0 or decayed and filled primary teeth (dft) > 0) of 47.2% and 63.2%, respectively. Among the 6,7 yr-old children examined, 36.9% were free of fluorosis, 15.6% presented moderate fluorosis, and 7.8% presented severe fluorosis. Among 11,13 yr-old children, only 4.2% were free of fluorosis, 30.2% exhibited moderate fluorosis, and 27.4% presented severe fluorosis. The mean DMFT, decayed permanent teeth (DT), and caries prevalence (DMFT > 0 and DMFT or dft > 0) scores were significantly higher among the children affected by severe fluorosis, suggesting that severe fluorosis might increase the susceptibility to dental caries. [source] Factors influencing the caries decline in Lithuanian adolescents , trends in the period 1993,2001EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORAL SCIENCES, Issue 1 2004Jolanta Aleksej The study aimed to relate a number of factors to the numbers of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) in 12- and 15-yr-olds examined and interviewed in 1993 and 2001. A total of 1250 children in 1993 and 935 in 2001 were clinically examined and completed a detailed questionnaire on dental health-related topics. Factors were related to the DMFT count applying multiple regression analysis. From 1993 to 2001, the mean DMFT decreased approximately 30% in both age cohorts. Despite an observed improvement in dental health in Lithuanian children, the number of Lithuanian children reporting frequent sugar consumption, brushing teeth irregularly and visiting the dentist only in case of emergency was still high compared with Western countries. The DMFT values were related to the fluoride content in the drinking water, oral hygiene, residency and year of examination. [source] Endothelial-Independent Prevention of High Blood Pressure in L-Name-Treated Rats by Angiotensin II type I Receptor Antisense Gene TherapyEXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 4 2003Phyllis Y. Reaves It has previously been established that a single systemic administration of retroviral vector containing angiotensin II type I receptor antisense (AT1R-AS) in the neonatal spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) prevents development of hypertension, and in addition cardiac hypertrophy and endothelial dysfunction. However, these studies could not determine whether the effects of AT1R-AS on high blood pressure (BP) and endothelial function were independent. Angiotensin receptor blockers have been shown to reduce BP in the L-NAME (N , -nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride)-induced rat model of hypertension. Our objective in the present study was to use the L-NAME model of hypertension to determine whether AT1R-AS treatment would lower high BP and attenuate cardiac hypertrophy under conditions of permanent endothelial damage. A single bolus of LNSV-AT1R-AS viral particles in neonatal Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats was without affect on basal BP. Efficacy of the transgene incorporation was assessed by observing a significant reduction in angiotensin-induced dipsogenic response in the AT1R-AS-treated animals. Introduction of L-NAME in the drinking water for 10 weeks resulted in the establishment of hypertension only in the WKY rats treated with vector alone. These hypertensive (BP, 179 ± 4 mmHg) animals showed a 17% increase in heart weight/body weight ratio and a 60% reduction in ACh-induced vasorelaxation in phenylephrine-preconstricted arteries. The L-NAME-induced high BP and cardiac hypertrophy were attenuated in rats expressing AT1R-AS. However, endothelial dysfunction could not be prevented with the antisense therapy. These observations demonstrate that attenuation of endothelial dysfunction is not a prerequisite for the antihypertensive effects of AT1R-AS treatment. [source] Salt-Sensitive Hypertension Resulting From Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibition is Associated with Loss of Regulation of Angiotensin II in the RatEXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 1 2002G. Hodge In the Dahl salt-sensitive hypertensive rat, a diet containing L-arginine, the natural substrate for nitric oxide synthase, abrogates the hypertension. We postulated that nitric oxide synthase inhibition might induce a salt-sensitive form of hypertension and that this salt sensitivity might be linked to a loss of the regulatory effect of sodium ingestion on angiotensin II (Ang II) and angiotensinogen. Male Wistar-Kyoto rats were randomised to a diet containing 0.008%, 2.2% or 4.4% sodium chloride and to treatment with the NO synthase inhibitor L-NAME (10 mg kg,1 day,1) in the drinking water, or drinking water alone (Controls) for 4 weeks. Blood pressure was measured by tail cuff plethysmography twice weekly. After 4 weeks, the rats were anaesthetised and truncal blood collected for determination of angiotensinogen, renin, angiotensin I (Ang I), Ang II and aldosterone concentrations as well as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity. Systolic blood pressure increased with increasing dietary sodium intake in the L-NAME-treated rats (P < 0.05). Plasma renin and aldosterone concentrations decreased with increasing dietary sodium intake in both Control and L-NAME-treated rats. Ang I and ACE activity were unchanged by increasing dietary sodium intake. In contrast, the plasma concentration of Ang II and angiotensinogen increased with increasing dietary sodium (P < 0.05 and P < 0.005, respectively). Treatment with the Ang II receptor blocker, losartan, reversed the blood pressure increase. We conclude that treatment with L-NAME induces an increase in blood pressure that is at least in part salt sensitive. Further, the salt-sensitive component appears to be Ang II-dependent, as it was associated with increasing plasma Ang II levels and could be reversed by treatment with an Ang II receptor antagonist. [source] Various cells of the immune system and intestine differ in their capacity to reduce hexavalent chromiumFEMS IMMUNOLOGY & MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2003Richa Shrivastava Abstract The cells of the immune system form a strong line of defence against foreign substances. The present study was undertaken to investigate the capacity of different cells of Wistar rats to reduce potentially carcinogenic hexavalent chromium (Cr-VI) into less toxic trivalent chromium in vitro. 5×106 cells were incubated with 10 or 25 ,g ml,1 of Cr (VI) in the form of K2Cr2O7 at 37°C in the presence of 5% CO2 in air. At various time periods the remaining amount of Cr (VI) was measured and the percentage of Cr (VI) reduced was calculated. Among the single cell suspensions from the splenic cells a peak reduction of 55% was observed with the total spleen cells, 40% with the B-lymphocyte-enriched subpopulation, 10% with T-lymphocytes and 24% with the macrophages. The reduction by splenic and peritoneal macrophages was similar. Total thymocytes reduced 54% of the Cr (VI). Since the most common route of entry of chromium is through drinking water and food, intestinal cells were also investigated. Among the intestinal cells the maximum reduction of 100% (of 10 ,g ml,1) was observed with the upper villus cells and 72% with the middle villus cells while reduction was the least (4%) with the crypt cells. The reduction in the intestinal loop in situ was 100%. The time taken by each cell type for the peak reduction to Cr (VI) was markedly different. The findings thus show that the capacity of different cells in the body differs vastly in their capacity and time taken to reduce hexavalent chromium. The most efficient handling of Cr (VI) by the intestine, due to the presence of a variety of cells and bacteria, protects the body from its adverse effects. [source] H2xMnxSn3-xS6 (x,=,0.11,0.25): A Novel Reusable Sorbent for Highly Specific Mercury Capture Under Extreme pH ConditionsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 7 2009Manolis J. Manos Abstract The H2xMnxSn3-xS6 (x,=,0.11,0.25) is a new solid acid with a layered hydrogen metal sulfide (LHMS). It derives from K2xMnxSn3,xS6 (x,=,0.5,0.95) (KMS-1) upon treating it with highly acidic solutions. We demonstrate that LHMS-1 has enormous affinity for the very soft metal ions such as Hg2+ and Ag+ which occurs via a rapid ion exchange process. The tremendous affinity of LHMS-1 for Hg2+ is reflected in very high distribution coefficient KdHg values (>106,mL g,1). The large affinity and selectivity of LHMS-1 for Hg2+ persists in a very wide pH range (from less than zero to nine) and even in the presence of highly concentrated HCl and HNO3 acids. LHMS-1 is significantly more selective for Hg2+ and Ag+ than for the less soft cations Pb2+ and Cd2+. The Hg2+ ions are immobilized in octahedral sites between the sulfide layers of the materials via Hg,S bonds as suggested by pair distribution function (PDF) analysis. LHMS-1 could decrease trace concentrations of Hg2+ (e.g. <100,ppb) to well below the acceptable limits for the drinking water in less than two min. Hg-laden LHMS-1 shows a remarkable hydrothermal stability and resistance in 6,M HCl solutions. LHMS-1 could be regenerated by treating Hg-loaded samples with 12,M HCl and re-used without loss of its initial exchange capacity. [source] Nitrate leaching from three afforestation chronosequences on former arable land in DenmarkGLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY, Issue 6 2007KARIN HANSEN Abstract In regions dominated by agricultural activities, nitrogen (N) is recognized as a major pollutant in aquatic environments. In north-western Europe, afforestation of agricultural land is part of a strategy to improve water quality. In Denmark, former arable land has been afforested during the past 40,50 years. This study evaluated the effect of afforestation of former arable land on nitrate leaching, based on three afforestation chronosequences. Precipitation, canopy throughfall and soil water were collected and soil moisture was monitored at two Danish locations, Vestskoven (nutrient-rich, medium deposition) and Gejlvang (nutrient-poor, high deposition). Afforestation was performed using Norway spruce [Picea abies (Karst.) L.] and common oak (Quercus robur L.) at Vestskoven and Norway spruce at Gejlvang. The results suggest that afforestation of former arable land initially leads to lower nitrate leaching than that occurring under the former agricultural land use, and largely below the standard of 50 mg NO,3 L,1 for groundwater to be utilized as drinking water. Nitrate concentrations became almost negligible in forest stands of 5,20 years of age. However, after canopy closure (>20 years) nitrate concentrations below the root zone and nitrate leaching tended to increase. This was attributed to increased N deposition with increasing canopy development and decreased N demand once the most N-rich biomass compartments had been built up. Nitrate leaching started to increase at a throughfall deposition level of about 10 kg N ha,1 yr,1. Compared with nutrient-poor sandy soils, nutrient-rich clayey soils appeared more vulnerable to disturbance of the N cycle and to increased N deposition, leading to N saturation and enhanced nitrate leaching. In approximately the first 35 years after afforestation, nitrate leaching below the root zone was generally higher below oak than below Norway spruce. [source] Factors Related to Helicobacter pylori Prevalence in an Adult Population in BrazilHELICOBACTER, Issue 1 2007Schlioma Zaterka Abstract Background:, The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori is higher in developing countries. Sanitary facilities, crowding and ethnic group are some of the factors related to H. pylori infection. The aim of this study was to investigate in blood donors, free of dyspeptic symptoms, the prevalence and factors influencing H. pylori infection. Materials and Methods:, This study was conducted in São Paulo, a city known to have a mixed population coming from all over the country. A total of 1008 blood donors were initially included in the study. After a final revision of all the questionnaires, 993 were included in the final analysis (746 males). H. pylori status was checked by an ELISA test. The following associations to infection were analyzed: sex, age, ethnic group, previous upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, smoking, alcoholism, drug addiction, type of drinking water, crowding, sanitary facilities, and family income. Results:, Infection was observed in 496 of 746 male (66.5%) and in 156 of 247 female (63.2%) blood donors. Infection prevalence increased according to age group, regardless of sex. Prevalence was lower in White population than in non-White. No relationship was observed between infection and smoking, drug addiction, and alcohol. A positive relation was observed between infection and previous upper GI endoscopy, and type of drinking water, regardless if currently or during childhood. Crowding and lack of toilet in the house during childhood resulted in a higher infection rate. Lower familial income and educational level showed a positive association to infection. Conclusions:, Prevalence of H. pylori is higher in non-White population, independent of gender. A positive association was observed in aging, previous upper GI endoscopy, crowding, type of drinking water, lack of toilet during childhood, lower family income, and lower educational level. [source] Water quality and hydrogeochemical characteristics of the River Buyukmelen, Duzce, TurkeyHYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 20 2005Rustem Pehlivan Abstract The River Buyukmelen is located in the province of Duzce in northwest Turkey and its water basin is approximately 470 km2. The Aksu, Kucukmelen and Ugursuyu streams flow into the River Buyukmelen. It flows into the Black Sea with an output of 44 m3 s,1. The geological succession in the basin comprises limestone and dolomitic limestone of the Y,lanl, formation, sandstone, clayey limestone and marls of the Akveren formation, clastics and volcano-clastics of the Caycuma formation, and cover units comprised of river alluvium, lacutrine sediments and beach sands. The River Buyukmelen is expected to be a water source that can supply the drinking water needs of Istanbul until 2040; therefore, it is imperative that its water quality be preserved. The samples of rock, soil, stream water, suspended, bed and stream sediments and beach sand were collected from the Buyukmelen river basin. They were examined using mineralogical and geochemical methods. The chemical constituents most commonly found in the stream waters are Na+, Mg2+, SO2,4, Cl, and HCO3, in the Guz stream water, Ca2+ in the Abaza stream water, and K+ in the Kuplu stream water. The concentrations of Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, SO2,4, HCO,3, Cl,, As, Pb, Ni, Mn, Cr, Zn, Fe and U in the Kuplu and Guz stream waters were much higher than the world average values. The Dilaver, Gubi, Tepekoy, Maden, Celik and Abaza streams interact with sedimentary rocks, and the Kuplu and Guz streams interact with volcanic rocks. The amount of suspended sediment in the River Buyukmelen in December 2002 was 120 mg l,1. The suspended and bed sediments in the muddy stream waters are formed of quartz, calcite, plagioclase, clay (kaolinite, illite and smectite), muscovite and amphibole minerals. As, Co, Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, Zn and U have all accumulated in the Buyukmelen river-bed sediments. The muddy feature of the waters is related to the petrographic features of the rocks in the basin and their mineralogical compositions, as most of the sandstones and volcanic rocks (basalt, tuffite and agglomerate) are decomposed to a clay-rich composition at the surface. Thus, the suspended sediment in stream waters increases by physical weathering of the rocks and water,rock interaction. Owing to the growing population and industrialization, water demand is increasing. The plan is to bring water from the River Buyukmelen to Istanbul's drinking-water reservoirs. According to the Water Pollution Regulations, the River Buyukmelen belongs to quality class 1 based on Hg, Cd, Pb, As, Cu, Cr, Zn, Mn, Se, Ba, Na+, Cl,, and SO2,4; and to quality class 3 based on Fe concentration. The concentration of Fe in the River Buyukmelen exceeds the limit values permitted by the World Health Organization and the Turkish Standard. Because water from the River Buyukmelen will be used as drinking water, it will have an adverse effect on water quality and humans if not treated in advance. In addition, the inclusion of Mn and Zn in the Elmali drinking-water reservoir of Istanbul and Fe in the River Buyukmelen water indicates natural inorganic contamination. Mn, Zn and Fe contents in the waters are related to geological origin. Moreover, the River Buyukmelen flow is very muddy in the rainy seasons and it is inevitable that this will pose problems during the purification process. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Epithelial barrier disruption allows nondisease-causing bacteria to initiate and sustain IBD in the IL-10 gene-deficient mouse,INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 8 2007Beate C. Sydora PhD Abstract Background: In the IL-10 gene-deficient mouse model, development of intestinal inflammation is associated with a defect in epithelial barrier integrity that is thought to allow sufficient passage of bacteria or bacterial antigens to initiate a mucosal immune response. Microbial monoassociation experiments into axenic animals have shown that some, but not all, endogenous bacteria will initiate an intestinal inflammatory response. For instance, Bacteroides vulgatus does not initiate intestinal inflammation in axenic IL-10 gene-deficient mice. We investigated whether B. vulgatus requires concomitant disruption of the intestinal epithelial barrier integrity in order to initiate an inflammatory response. Methods: We first identified a dose of the indomethacin that would cause a primary disruption of the epithelial barrier without causing intestinal inflammation. IL-10 axenic mice were then administered this dose of indomethacin in their drinking water for 7 days and concomitantly monoassociated, by oral gavage, with B. vulgatus. Results: Indomethacin treatment (2 ,g/g/d) for 7 days resulted in disruption of epithelial barrier integrity, but it caused neither a systemic inflammatory response nor a mucosal inflammatory response in the colon or cecum. Monoassociation with B. vulgatus alone did not lead to a mucosal inflammatory response, despite a measurable systemic response. In contrast, administration of indomethacin plus B. vulgatus -monoassociation resulted in a marked intestinal inflammatory response in colon and cecum. Conclusions: Our data show that, in a genetically predisposed animal model, the nondisease-causing endogenous bacteria, B. vulgatus, is able to cause an intestinal inflammatory response provided that disruption of the intestinal epithelial barrier has occurred. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2007) [source] A specific inducible nitric oxide inhibitor, ONO-1714 attenuates inflammation-related large bowel carcinogenesis in male ApcMin/+ miceINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 3 2007Hiroyuki Kohno Abstract It is generally assumed that inflammation influences carcinogenesis. We previously reported that dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) strongly enhances colon carcinogenesis in the ApcMin/+ mice and the over-expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) contributes to this enhancement. In the current study, we investigated the effect of a selective iNOS inhibitor, ONO-1714 on colitis-related colon carcinogenesis in the ApcMin/+ mouse treated with DSS. Male C57BL/6J ApcMin/+ and Apc+/+ mice were exposed to 1% DSS in their drinking water for 7 days. ONO-1714 was given to the mice at a dose level of 50 or 100 ppm in diet for 5 weeks (during the administration of DSS). The tumor inhibitory effects by ONO-1714 were assessed at week 5 by counting the incidence and multiplicity of colonic neoplasms. Additionally, we assessed serum lipid levels and colonic mRNA expression for cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, iNOS, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-, and interleukin (IL)-1,. Feeding with ONO-1714 significantly inhibited the occurrence of colonic adenocarcinoma in a dose-dependent manner in the ApcMin/+ mice. In addition, the treatment with ONO-1714 significantly lowered the serum triglyceride levels and mRNA expression levels of COX-2, TNF, and IL-1, of colonic mucosa in the DSS-treated ApcMin/+ mice. Neither ONO-1714 nor DSS affected the colonic pathology in the Apc+/+ mice. Our findings may suggest that ONO-1714 could therefore serve as an effective agent for suppression of colitis-related colon cancer development in the ApcMin/+ mice. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Interactions between N,acetylcysteine and sodium selenite in modulating the clastogenicity of urethane and 2,acetylaminofluorene in miceINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 1 2004Roumen M. Balansky Abstract Combined treatment with different agents represents a promising approach in cancer chemoprevention. Therefore, it is useful to assess in preclinical models the efficacy of combinations that are selected by taking into account mechanistic considerations. We designed 2 studies evaluating the interaction between N,acetylcysteine (NAC) and sodium selenite (Se), both given with the drinking water to Balb/c mice, in modulating clastogenic effects in bone marrow polychromatic erythrocytes. In a first study, a single i.p. injection of urethane considerably enhanced the frequency of micronucleated cells. While NAC produced a significant inhibition, Se further enhanced urethane clastogenicity. When given in combination at the same doses, NAC prevented the adverse effect of Se. In a second study, a single i.p. injection of 2,acetylaminofluorene enhanced the frequency of micronucleated cells. Se did not reduce this effect to a significant extent, while NAC produced a dose,dependent inhibition. When tested at the lower dose in combination with Se, the protective effect of NAC was unchanged. Especially in association with Se, NAC also prevented the toxicity of 2,acetylaminofluorene by normalizing the ratio of polychromatic to normochromatic erythrocytes. In conclusion, NAC attenuated the clastogenicity of both urethane and 2,acetylaminofluorene and the toxicity of this aromatic amine. In addition, NAC prevented the clastogenic and toxic effects resulting from the interaction of Se with urethane. Together with the findings of previous studies, it appears that, besides its intrinsic protective properties in carcinogenesis, NAC is capable of attenuating the adverse effects of several cytotoxic drugs and chemopreventive agents. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] In vitro stability of triclosan in dentifrice under simulated use conditionINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE, Issue 5 2007Z. Hao Synopsis Triclosan has been formulated into a dentifrice at a 0.3% level to enhance the antibacterial function of the dentifrice, to improve oral health and to decrease the daily malodor inside the mouth cavity. The hypothesis that chloroform may be generated from triclosan when contacted with chlorinated drinking water has challenged our guarantee of safe use of triclosan in oral care products, especially in Colgate Total® toothpaste. Currently, there was no available analytical method to detect chloroform levels under the use conditions expected during daily tooth brushing. To fill this gap and to continue guaranteeing that our customers can safely use Colgate Total® toothpaste products, a gas chromatography,single ion monitoring,mass spectrometry method for detecting chloroform in artificial saliva media has been developed. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation are about 41 and 130 ppb, respectively. This LOD level is lower than the current Environmental Protection Agency trihalomethanes contamination limit, which is required for our daily drink water. Our in vitro study indicated that Colgate Total® does not form detectable chloroform levels (41 ppb) over the range of expected consumer-brushing times while using normal chlorinated drinking water. Résumé Un dentifrice contenant une concentration de 0.3% de Triclosan a été formulé dans le but de renforcer les propriétés antibactériennes du produit, d'améliorer l'hygiène buccale et de diminuer les mauvaises odeurs quotidiennes de la cavité buccale. L'hypothèse que du chloroforme peut se former à partir du Triclosan au contact de l'eau douce chlorée jette un doute sur la garantie de sécurité d'utilisation du Triclosan dans les produits oraux, en particulier dans la pâte dentifrice Colgate Total®. On ne dispose actuellement d'aucune méthode analytique permettant de détecter le chloroforme dans des conditions habituelles d'utilisation qui correspondent au brossage quotidien des dents. Pour y remédier et pour continuer à garantir à nos clients la sécurité d'utilisation de la pâte dentifrice Colgate Total®, une méthode GC-SIM-MS capable de détecter le chloroforme dans une salive artificielle a été développée. La limite de détection (LOD) et la limite de quantification (LOQ) sont respectivement d'environ de 41 et 130 ppb. Cette valeur de LOD est inférieure à la limite de contamination en trihalométhane requise pour l'eau douce journalière par l'Environnemental Protection Agency (EPA). Notre étude in vitro montre que Colgate Total® ne génère pas de chloroforme à une concentration détectable (41 ppb) pendant la durée requise d'un brossage avec l'utilisation d'eau potable chlorée. [source] |