Guide for SDEC Set up

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bibby, R; Guthrie, E

2009-01-30

The instrument has four collection vials that must be filled with ethylene glycol before operation. Each of the four vials should be labeled 1 through 4 and the empty weights recorded. Fill each vial with 80 mL of ethylene glycol and record the weight again. In order for the instrument to operate properly, the collection vials should always have less than 160 mL of total liquid in them. After completing a sample run, remove the collection vials, use a transfer pipette to remove any liquid that might still be on the air paddler, wipe off any condensation from the exteriormore » of the collection vial and record weight. From the instrument, record the ending volume and the time of operation. The solution mixed in the scintillation vial will be 2 ml of a 95% to 50% ethylene glycol to water mixture. To determine the efficiency of counting at all of these concentrations, a series of vials should be set up that consist of 18 ml of Ultima Gold LLT cocktail mixed with standard, regular deionized water and ethylene glycol. The efficiency curve should be counted in the 'Low Level' count mode with the Luminescence Correction ON and the Color Quench Correction ON. Once the tSIE values are determined, chart the cpm against the tSIE numbers and find the best fit for the data. The resulting equation is to be used to converting tSIE values from the collection vials to efficiency. To determine the background cpm value of the ethylene glycol, count a 2 ml sample of ethylene glycol with 18 ml of Ultima Gold for 100 minutes. To determine the total activity of the sample, take two 2 ml aliquots of sample from the first vial and place in separate scintillation vials. Record the weight of each aliquot. Determine the percentage of total sample each aliquot represents by dividing the aliquot weight by the total solution weight from the vial. Also, determine the percentage of ethylene glycol in the sample by dividing the initial solution weight by the final solution weight and multiplying by 100. Add 18 ml of Ultima Gold to each vial and proceed to count for 100 minutes in a 'Low Level' count mode. Before performing a calculation on the dpm value of each aliquot, a subtraction should be made for the background count rate of the ethylene glycol. Based on the background cpm, multiply the background cpm value by the percentage of ethylene glycol in the collection vial. Once the background value is subtracted, calculate the dpm value of the sample based on the tSIE conversion to efficiency. This will produce a dpm value. To convert this to a total activity of the sample, divide the aliquot dpm value by the decimal percentage of total sample the aliquot represents. This gives the total activity of the sample solution. Take the average of both aliquots as a final result. To convert the total activity from the solution in vial one to activity in air, an empirical formula is used to convert activity/gram from vial one to total activity introduced into the system. After calculation the final result for the vial, divide the total by the mass of the sample in vial one. This gives dpm/g (labeled C{sub m}). To convert this to total dpm measured, C = (128.59 * Cm + 10.837)/V Where: C = Tritium concentration in air (dpm/m{sup 3}) C{sub m} = measured tritium concentration from vial 1 (dpm/g) V = Volume of air sampled through instrument (m{sup 3}). C is the final value of tritium concentration in air.« less

Use of dust fall filters as passive samplers for metal concentrations in air for communities near contaminated mine tailings

PubMed Central

Beamer, P.I.; Sugeng, A. J.; Kelly, M.D.; Lothrop, N.; Klimecki, W.; Wilkinson, S.T.; Loh, M.

2014-01-01

Mine tailings are a source of metal exposures in many rural communities. Multiple air samples are necessary to assess the extent of exposures and factors contributing to these exposures. However, air sampling equipment is costly and requires trained personnel to obtain measurements, limiting the number of samples that can be collected. Simple, low-cost methods are needed to allow for increased sample collection. The objective of our study was to assess if dust fall filters can serve as passive air samplers and be used to characterize potential exposures in a community near contaminated mine tailings. We placed filters in cylinders, concurrently with active indoor air samplers, in 10 occupied homes. We calculated an estimated flow rate by dividing the mass on each dust fall filter by the bulk air concentration and the sampling duration. The mean estimated flow rate for dust fall filters was significantly different during sampling periods with precipitation. The estimated flow rate was used to estimate metal concentration in the air of these homes, as well as in 31 additional homes in another rural community impacted by contaminated mine tailings. The estimated air concentrations had a significant linear association with the measured air concentrations for beryllium, manganese and arsenic (p<0.05), whose primary source in indoor air is resuspended soil from outdoors. In the second rural community, our estimated metal concentrations in air were comparable to active air sampling measurements taken previously. This passive air sampler is a simple low-cost method to assess potential exposures near contaminated mining sites. PMID:24469149

Stability of methadone hydrochloride in 0.9% sodium chloride injection in single-dose plastic containers.

PubMed

Denson, D D; Crews, J C; Grummich, K W; Stirm, E J; Sue, C A

1991-03-01

The stability of methadone hydrochloride in 0.9% sodium chloride injection in flexible polyvinyl chloride containers was studied. Commercially available methadone hydrochloride 20 mg/mL and 25-mL single-dose bags of 0.9% sodium chloride injection were used. Six samples each were prepared at methadone hydrochloride concentrations of 1, 2, and 5 mg/mL. The solutions were stored at room temperature and were not protected from light. Immediately after preparation and after two, three, and four weeks of storage, each of the 18 samples was divided into three aliquots, each of which was analyzed in duplicate for methadone hydrochloride concentration by gas chromatography. There was less than 10% change in methadone hydrochloride concentration in any sample throughout the four-week study period. Methadone hydrochloride at concentrations of 1, 2, and 5 mg/mL prepared in commercially available flexible polyvinyl chloride containers of 0.9% sodium chloride injection and stored at room temperature without deliberate protection from light is stable for at least four weeks.

Electrostatic dust collectors compared to inhalable samplers for measuring endotoxin concentrations in farm homes

PubMed Central

Kilburg-Basnyat, Brita; Peters, Thomas M.; Perry, Sarah S.; Thorne, Peter S.

2016-01-01

Paired electrostatic dust collectors (EDCs) and daily, inhalable button samplers (BS) were used concurrently to sample endotoxin in 10 farm homes during 7-day periods in summer and winter. Winter sampling included an optical particle counter (OPC) to measure PM2.5 and PM2.5-10. Electrostatic dust collectors and BS filters were analyzed for endotoxin using the kinetic chromogenic Limulus amebocyte lysate assay. Optical particle counter particulate matter (PM) data were divided into two PM categories. In summer, geometric mean (geometric standard deviation) endotoxin concentrations were 0.82 EU/m3 (2.7) measured with the BS and 737 EU/m2 (1.9) measured with the EDC. Winter values were 0.52 EU/m3 (3.1) for BS and 538 EU/m2 (3.0) for EDCs. Seven day endotoxin values of EDCs were highly correlated with the 7-day BS sampling averages (r=0.70; p<0.001). Analysis of variance indicated a 2.4-fold increase in EDC endotoxin concentrations for each unit increase of the ratio of PM2.5 to PM2.5-10. There was also a significant correlation between BS and EDCs endotoxin concentrations for winter (r=0.67; p<0.05) and summer(r=0.75; p<0.05). Thus, EDCs sample comparable endotoxin concentrations to BS, making EDCs a feasible, easy to use alternative to BS for endotoxin sampling. PMID:26296624

Effect of delayed serum separation and storage temperature on serum glucose concentration in horse, dog, alpaca, and sturgeon.

PubMed

Collicutt, Nancy B; Garner, Bridget; Berghaus, Roy D; Camus, Melinda S; Hart, Kelsey

2015-03-01

Although delays between blood sample collection and analysis are common in veterinary medicine, the effect of prolonged serum-clot contact time on serum glucose concentration is not well established and species differences have not been elucidated. The objective was to investigate the effect of storage time and temperature on serum glucose concentration in stored whole blood samples from horse, dog, alpaca, and sturgeon. Whole blood specimens were divided into 7 no-additive tubes and serum was separated from one sample within one hour, serving as the reference sample. The remaining samples were stored at 4°C and 25°C, then centrifuged and serum glucose measured by automated analysis at 2, 4, and 8 hours postcollection. Glucose concentrations were compared using linear mixed models. The decline in serum glucose concentration for all samples stored at 4°C was not statistically significant, except for the 8-hour samples from sturgeon and dog. At 25°C, serum glucose concentration was comparable to reference values at 2 hours in sturgeon and alpaca, but significantly lower at 4 and 8 hours in those species, and at all time points in equine and canine specimens, being most prominent after 8 hours of storage in canine specimens. Storage at 4°C limits serum glucose decline for at least 4 hours in all species tested and up to 8 hours in specimens of horse and alpaca. At 25°C, serum-clot contact time should not exceed 1 hour in equine and canine samples, and 2 hours in specimens from alpaca and sturgeon. © 2014 American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology.

Effects of processing delay, temperature, and transport tube type on results of quantitative bacterial culture of canine urine.

PubMed

Patterson, Carly A; Bishop, Micah A; Pack, Julie D; Cook, Audrey K; Lawhon, Sara D

2016-01-15

To determine the impact of processing delay, temperature, and transport tube type on results of quantitative bacterial culture (QBC) of canine urine. Diagnostic test evaluation. 60 mL of pooled urine from 4 dogs, divided into six 10-mL aliquots. Urine aliquots were spiked with bacteria from 1 of 6 independent Escherichia coli cultures to achieve a target bacterial concentration of 10(5) CFUs/mL. One milliliter from each aliquot was transferred into 5 silicone-coated clot tubes (SCTs) and 5 urine transport tubes (UTTs). Samples were stored at 4°C (39°F) and 25°C (77°F) for 0, 8, and 24 hours, and then standard QBCs were performed. Median bacterial concentration for urine samples stored in a UTT for 24 hours at 4°C was lower than that for samples stored in an SCT under the same conditions. Conversely, a substantial decrease in median bacterial concentration was identified for samples stored for 24 hours in an SCT at 25°C, compared with the median concentration for samples stored in a UTT under the same conditions. Median bacterial concentration in samples stored in an SCT at 25°C for 24 hours (275 CFUs/mL) was less than the cutoff typically used to define clinically important bacteriuria by use of urine samples obtained via cystocentesis (ie, > 1,000 CFUs/mL). Canine urine samples submitted for immediate QBC should be transported in plain sterile tubes such as SCTs. When prolonged (24-hour) storage at room temperature is anticipated, urine samples should be transported in UTTs.

Oxygen Profile. Operational Control Tests for Wastewater Treatment Facilities. Instructor's Manual [and] Student Workbook.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wooley, John F.

The oxygen profile procedure is a means of measuring the oxygen concentration at various locations in a basin. By dividing the surface of a basin into sections and then establishing sample points on the surface, at mid-depth, and near the bottom, a waste water treatment plant operator can measure and plot dissolved oxygen data which can be plotted…

Aerial sampling using drones for measuring trace gases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, Chih-Chung; Wang, Jia-Lin; Chang, Chih-Yuan; Lin, Ming-Ren; Ou-Yang, Chang-Feng; Pan, Xiang-Xu; Lin, Neng-Huei

2017-04-01

Aerial and ground-level samples were simultaneously collected at the northern tip of Taiwan, Cape Fuguei, which is commonly served as a receptor site to receive air parcels from East Asia, Asian continent, the northwest Pacific Ocean and the island of Taiwan itself. Both aerial and surface samples were analyzed for 106 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and divided into three categories as follows: 1. the total concentrations of 106 VOC (T-VOC) at 300-m height that are lower than the T-VOC level at the surface (Category A), 2. T-VOC concentrations at 300-m that are higher than those at the surface (Category B), and 3. comparable concentrations (Category C). Ten VOCs were exploited as tracers for a variety of emission sources linking to possible sources and transport routes of airborne pollutants. The first two categories A and B showed significant differences in the observed composition and concentrations of tracers between aerial and ground-level samples, implying that the pollutants at different heights may have resulted from different sources and poor air mixing, despite only a 300-m difference in vertical height. In contrast, Category C showed good vertical mixing, as indicated by the comparable concentrations between the aerial and surface measurements. Since the three categories occurred in specific meteorological conditions (between, prior to, and after cold fronts), respectively, it suggests that varied prevailing meteorology controlled the distribution and transport of airborne pollutants. Unlike sampling commonly performed at the surface, this study uses aerial sampling to demonstrate that layered structures under different meteorological conditions. Sampling aloft in lower boundary layer avoids samples being over-influenced by the close-by surface sources such as traffic to reveal signatures of a broader region.

A population study of urine glycerol concentrations in elite athletes competing in North America.

PubMed

Kelly, Brian N; Madsen, Myke; Sharpe, Ken; Nair, Vinod; Eichner, Daniel

2013-01-01

Glycerol is an endogenous substance that is on the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of prohibited threshold substances due to its potential use as a plasma volume expansion agent. The WADA has set the threshold for urine glycerol, including measurement uncertainty, at 1.3 mg/mL. Glycerol in circulation largely comes from metabolism of triglycerides in order to meet energy requirements and when the renal threshold is eclipsed, glycerol is excreted into urine. In part due to ethnic differences in postprandial triglyceride concentrations, we investigated urine glycerol concentrations in a population of elite athletes competing in North America and compared the results to those of athletes competing in Europe. 959 urine samples from elite athletes competing in North America collected for anti-doping purposes were analyzed for urine glycerol concentrations by a gas chromatography mass-spectrometry method. Samples were divided into groups according to: Timing (in- or out-of-competition), Class (strength, game, or endurance sports) and Gender. 333 (34.7%) samples had undetectable amounts of glycerol (<1 μg/mL). 861 (89.8%) of the samples had glycerol concentrations ≤20 μg/mL. The highest glycerol concentration observed was 652 μg/mL. Analysis of the data finds the effects of each category to be statistically significant. The largest estimate of the 99.9(th) percentile, from the in-competition, female, strength athlete samples, was 1813 μg/mL with a 95% confidence range from 774 to 4251 μg/mL. This suggests a conservative threshold of 4.3 mg/mL, which would result in a reasonable detection window for urine samples collected in-competition for all genders and sport classes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Human Milk Adrenomedullin Is Unstable During Cold Storage at 4°C.

PubMed

Peila, Chiara; Coscia, Alessandra; Bertino, Enrico; Li Volti, Giovanni; Galvano, Fabio; Barbagallo, Ignazio; Gazzolo, Diego

2017-11-01

Under some circumstances human milk (HM) extraction and refrigerated storage may be necessary. Depending on the length and on the type of cold storage, milk may lose some important properties, but current advices on safe HM storage are discordant. Moreover until now no data in literature were present on the effect of prolonged cold storage on biologically active components of the HM such as adrenomedullin (AM). This important peptide is involved in response to hypoxia and inflammation, associated with neovascularization, in several tissues. The aim is to evaluate: (a) the presence of AM in preterm and term HM and (b) the concentration of AM in refrigerated milk at 4°C at 24-hour intervals, up to 96 hours of storage. The experiment was repeated four times. Immediately after collection, each HM sample deriving from each mother was divided into two parts as follows: "Pool" line and "Single Mother" line. One part (Pool line) was pooled and then divided into five aliquots. The other part (Single Mother line) was divided into five aliquots. From each line, one aliquot was analyzed within 3 hours, while the others were stored in the refrigerator for 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours, respectively, and then analyzed. AM levels were determined using a specific ELISA test. AM was detectable in all samples. Its concentration was significantly higher in preterm milk with respect to term milk (p < 0.05). Significant differences were observed during the cold storage: the AM levels decreased steadily during the storage and the remaining concentration at 96 hours is ∼2%. This study provides evidences regarding the presence of AM in HM, regardless of the gestational age. In particular, the refrigeration of fresh HM in controlled conditions significantly affected its bioactivity and nutritional quality related with AM, already at 24 hours.

Impact of the 1993 flood on the distribution of organic contaminants in bed sediments of the Upper Mississippi River

USGS Publications Warehouse

Barber, L.B.; Writer, J.H.

1998-01-01

The 1500 km Upper Mississippi River (UMR) consists of 29 navigation pools and can be divided into the upper reach (pools 1-4), the middle reach (pools 5-13), and the lower reach (pools 14-26). Comparison of composite bed sediment samples collected from the downstream third of 24 pools before and after the 1993 UMR flood provides fieldscale data on the effect of the flood on sediment organic compound distributions. The sediments were analyzed for organic carbon, coprostanol, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons including pyrene, linear alkylbenzene-sulfonates, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides. Most of the target compounds were detected in all of the sediment samples, although concentrations were generally <1 mg/kg. The highest concentrations typically occurred in the upper reach, an urbanized area on a relatively small river. Pool 4 (Lake Pepin) is an efficient sediment trap, and concentrations of the compounds below pool 4 were substantially lower than those in pools 2-4. Differences in concentrations before and after the 1993 flood also were greatest in the upper reach. In pools 1-4, concentrations of pyrene and PCBs decreased after the flood whereas coprostanol increased. These results suggest that bed sediments stored in the pools were diluted or buried by sediments with different organic compound compositions washed in from urban and agricultural portions of the watershed.The 1500 km Upper Mississippi River (UMR) consists of 29 navigation pools and can be divided into the upper reach (pools 1-4), the middle reach (pools 5-13), and the lower reach (pools 14-26). Comparison of composite bed sediment samples collected from the downstream third of 24 pools before and after the 1993 UMR flood provides field-scale data on the effect of the flood on sediment organic compound distributions. The sediments were analyzed for organic carbon, coprostanol, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons including pyrene, linear alkylbenzene-sulfonates, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides. Most of the target compounds were detected in all of the sediment samples, although concentrations were generally <1 mg/kg. The highest concentrations typically occurred in the upper reach, an urbanized area on a relatively small river. Pool 4 (Lake Pepin) is an efficient sediment trap, and concentrations of the compounds below pool 4 were substantially lower than those in pools 2-4. Differences in concentrations before and after the 1993 flood also were greatest in the upper reach. In pools 1-4, concentrations of pyrene and PCBs decreased after the flood whereas coprostanol increased. These results suggest that bed sediments stored in the pools were diluted or buried by sediments with different organic compound compositions washed in from urban and agricultural portions of the watershed.

Optimizing stream water mercury sampling for calculation of fish bioaccumulation factors

USGS Publications Warehouse

Riva-Murray, Karen; Bradley, Paul M.; Journey, Celeste A.; Brigham, Mark E.; Scudder Eikenberry, Barbara C.; Knightes, Christopher; Button, Daniel T.

2013-01-01

Mercury (Hg) bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) for game fishes are widely employed for monitoring, assessment, and regulatory purposes. Mercury BAFs are calculated as the fish Hg concentration (Hgfish) divided by the water Hg concentration (Hgwater) and, consequently, are sensitive to sampling and analysis artifacts for fish and water. We evaluated the influence of water sample timing, filtration, and mercury species on the modeled relation between game fish and water mercury concentrations across 11 streams and rivers in five states in order to identify optimum Hgwater sampling approaches. Each model included fish trophic position, to account for a wide range of species collected among sites, and flow-weighted Hgwater estimates. Models were evaluated for parsimony, using Akaike’s Information Criterion. Better models included filtered water methylmercury (FMeHg) or unfiltered water methylmercury (UMeHg), whereas filtered total mercury did not meet parsimony requirements. Models including mean annual FMeHg were superior to those with mean FMeHg calculated over shorter time periods throughout the year. FMeHg models including metrics of high concentrations (80th percentile and above) observed during the year performed better, in general. These higher concentrations occurred most often during the growing season at all sites. Streamflow was significantly related to the probability of achieving higher concentrations during the growing season at six sites, but the direction of influence varied among sites. These findings indicate that streamwater Hg collection can be optimized by evaluating site-specific FMeHg - UMeHg relations, intra-annual temporal variation in their concentrations, and streamflow-Hg dynamics.

Interference of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor on the analysis for oxides of nitrogen by chemiluminescence

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Maahs, H. G.

1975-01-01

The interference of small concentrations (less than 4 percent by volume) of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor on the analysis for oxides of nitrogen by chemiluminescence was measured. The sample gas consisted primarily of nitrogen, with less than 100 parts per million concentration of nitric oxide, and with small concentrations of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor added. Results obtained under these conditions indicate that although oxygen does not measurably affect the analysis for nitric oxide, the presence of carbon dioxide and water vapor causes the indicated nitric oxide concentration to be too low. An interference factor - defined as the percentage change in indicated nitric oxide concentration (relative to the true nitric oxide concentration) divided by the percent interfering gas present - was determined for carbon dioxide to be -0.60 + or - 0.04 and for water vapor to be -2.1 + or - 0.3.

The potential of mid- and near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy for determining major- and trace-element concentrations in soils from a geochemical survey of North America

USGS Publications Warehouse

Reeves, J. B.; Smith, D.B.

2009-01-01

In 2004, soils were collected at 220 sites along two transects across the USA and Canada as a pilot study for a planned soil geochemical survey of North America (North American Soil Geochemical Landscapes Project). The objective of the current study was to examine the potential of diffuse reflectance (DR) Fourier Transform (FT) mid-infrared (mid-IR) and near-infrared (NIRS) spectroscopy to reduce the need for conventional analysis for the determination of major and trace elements in such continental-scale surveys. Soil samples (n = 720) were collected from two transects (east-west across the USA, and north-south from Manitoba, Canada to El Paso, Texas (USA), n = 453 and 267, respectively). The samples came from 19 USA states and the province of Manitoba in Canada. They represented 31 types of land use (e.g., national forest, rangeland, etc.), and 123 different land covers (e.g., soybeans, oak forest, etc.). The samples represented a combination of depth-based sampling (0-5 cm) and horizon-based sampling (O, A and C horizons) with 123 different depths identified. The set was very diverse with few samples similar in land use, land cover, etc. All samples were analyzed by conventional means for the near-total concentration of 49 analytes (Ctotal, Ccarbonate and Corganic, and 46 major and trace elements). Spectra were obtained using dried, ground samples using a Digilab FTS-7000 FT spectrometer in the mid- (4000-400 cm-1) and near-infrared (10,000-4000 cm-1) at 4 cm-1 resolution (64 co-added scans per spectrum) using a Pike AutoDIFF DR autosampler. Partial least squares calibrations were develop using: (1) all samples as a calibration set; (2) samples evenly divided into calibration and validation sets based on spectral diversity; and (3) samples divided to have matching analyte concentrations in calibration and validation sets. In general, results supported the conclusion that neither mid-IR nor NIRS would be particularly useful in reducing the need for conventional analysis of soils from this continental-scale geochemical survey. The extreme sample diversity, likely caused by the widely varied parent material, land use at the site of collection (e.g., grazing, recreation, agriculture, etc.), and climate resulted in poor calibrations even for Ctotal, Corganic and Ccarbonate. The results indicated potential for mid-IR and NIRS to differentiate soils containing high concentrations (>100 mg/kg) of some metals (e.g., Co, Cr, Ni) from low-level samples (<50 mg/kg). However, because of the small number of high-level samples, it is possible that differentiation was based on factors other than metal concentration. Results for Mg and Sr were good, but results for other metals examined were fair to poor, at best. In essence, it appears that the great variation in chemical and physical properties seen in soils from this continental-scale survey resulted in each sample being virtually unique. Thus, suitable spectroscopic calibrations were generally not possible.

Analysis of Tank 13H (HTF-13-14-156, 157) Surface and Subsurface Supernatant Samples in Support of Enrichment Control, Corrosion Control and Sodium Aluminosilicate Formation Potential Programs

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Oji, L. N.

2015-02-18

The 2H Evaporator system includes mainly Tank 43H (feed tank) and Tank 38H (drop tank) with Tank 22H acting as the DWPF recycle receipt tank. The Tank 13H is being characterized to ensure that it can be transferred to the 2H evaporator. This report provides the results of analyses on Tanks 13H surface and subsurface supernatant liquid samples to ensure compliance with the Enrichment Control Program (ECP), the Corrosion Control Program and Sodium Aluminosilicate Formation Potential in the Evaporator. The U-235 mass divided by the total uranium averaged 0.00799 (0.799 % uranium enrichment) for both the surface and subsurface Tankmore » 13H samples. This enrichment is slightly above the enrichment for Tanks 38H and 43H, where the enrichment normally ranges from 0.59 to 0.7 wt%. The U-235 concentration in Tank 13H samples ranged from 2.01E-02 to 2.63E-02 mg/L, while the U-238 concentration in Tank 13H ranged from 2.47E+00 to 3.21E+00 mg/L. Thus, the U-235/total uranium ratio is in line with the prior 2H-evaporator ECP samples. Measured sodium and silicon concentrations averaged, respectively, 2.46 M and 1.42E-04 M (3.98 mg/L) in the Tank 13H subsurface sample. The measured aluminum concentration in Tanks 13H subsurface samples averaged 2.01E-01 M.« less

Logistic model of nitrate in streams of the upper-midwestern United States

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mueller, D.K.; Ruddy, B.C.; Battaglin, W.A.

1997-01-01

Nitrate in surface water can have adverse effects on aquatic life and, in drinking-water supplies, can be a risk to human health. As part of a regional study, nitrates as N (NO3-N) was analyzed in water samples collected from streams throughout 10 Midwestern states during synoptic surveys in 1989, 1990, and 1994. Data from the period immediately following crop planting at 124 sites were analyzed during logistic regression to relate discrete categories of NO3-N concentrations to characteristics of the basins upstream from the sites. The NO3-N data were divided into three categories representing probable background concentrations (10 mg L-1). Nitrate-N concentrations were positively correlated to streamflow, upstream area planted in corn (Zea mays L.), and upstream N- fertilizers application rates. Elevated NO3-N concentrations were associated with poorly drained soils and were weakly correlated with population density. Nitrate-N and streamflow data collected during 1989 and 1990 were used to calibrate the model, and data collected during 1994 were used for verification. The model correctly estimated NO3-N concentration categories for 79% of the samples in the calibration data set and 60% of the samples in the verification data set. The model was used to indicate where NO3-N concentrations might be elevated or exceed the NO3-N MCL in streams throughout the study area. The potential for elevated NO3-N concentrations was predicted to be greatest for streams in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and western Ohio.

Electrostatic dust collectors compared to inhalable samplers for measuring endotoxin concentrations in farm homes.

PubMed

Kilburg-Basnyat, B; Peters, T M; Perry, S S; Thorne, P S

2016-10-01

Paired electrostatic dust collectors (EDCs) and daily, inhalable button samplers (BS) were used concurrently to sample endotoxin in 10 farm homes during 7-day periods in summer and winter. Winter sampling included an optical particle counter (OPC) to measure PM2.5 and PM2.5-10 . Electrostatic dust collectors and BS filters were analyzed for endotoxin using the kinetic chromogenic Limulus amebocyte lysate assay. Optical particle counter particulate matter (PM) data were divided into two PM categories. In summer, geometric mean (geometric standard deviation) endotoxin concentrations were 0.82 EU/m(3) (2.7) measured with the BS and 737 EU/m(2) (1.9) measured with the EDC. Winter values were 0.52 EU/m(3) (3.1) for BS and 538 EU/m(2) (3.0) for EDCs. Seven-day endotoxin values of EDCs were highly correlated with the 7-day BS sampling averages (r = 0.70; P < 0.001). Analysis of variance indicated a 2.4-fold increase in EDC endotoxin concentrations for each unit increase of the ratio of PM2.5 to PM2.5-10 . There was also a significant correlation between BS and EDCs endotoxin concentrations for winter (r = 0.67; P < 0.05) and summer (r = 0.75; P < 0.05). Thus, EDCs sample comparable endotoxin concentrations to BS, making EDCs a feasible, easy to use alternative to BS for endotoxin sampling. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Absorption kinetics of flurbiprofen axetil microspheres in cerebrospinal fluid: A pilot study
.

PubMed

Zhang, Hong; Gu, Jian; Feng, Yi; An, Haiyan

2017-11-01

The purpose of this study is to investigate the absorption dynamics of flurbiprofen axetil in cerebrospinal fluid. We analyzed the concentrations of flurbiprofen in peripheral venous blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to explore the absorption dynamics of flurbiprofen axetil loaded in lipid microspheres in CSF. 72 adult patients who planned to undergo selective operations under spinal anesthesia or combined spinal-epidural anesthesia were intravenously injected with flurbiprofen axetil (1 mg/kg) and randomly divided into nine groups according to the sampling time after administration: 5 (T5), 10 (T10), 15 (T15), 20 (T20), 25 (T25), 30 (T30), 35 (T35), 40 (T40), and 45 minutes (T45). The CSF and venous blood samples collected from patients were analyzed by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography to determine the concentrations of flurbiprofen. With the exception of 3 CSF samples in T5 and 4 CSF samples in T10, flurbiprofen was detected in all CSF and blood specimens. Significant differences between the CSF concentrations and CSF/plasma drug concentration ratios were observed among the nine time points (p < 0.001), whereas no significant difference in plasma concentration was found (p > 0.05). The findings suggest that lipid microspheres loaded with flurbiprofen can penetrate through the blood-brain barrier into CSF after intravenous injection. The fact that the flurbiprofen concentration rose continuously for 45 minutes after injection indicates that flurbiprofen-loaded lipid microspheres may exert analgesic action via the central nervous system.
.

Survey and Experimental Infection of Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli in Common Marmosets (Callithrix jacchus).

PubMed

Hayashimoto, Nobuhito; Inoue, Takashi; Morita, Hanako; Yasuda, Masahiko; Ueno, Masami; Kawai, Kenji; Itoh, Toshio

2016-01-01

Common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) are frequently used for biomedical research but can be afflicted with diarrhea-a serious and potentially lethal health problem. Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is thought to be the causative pathogen of hemorrhagic typhlocolitis in common marmosets, but the actual incidence of the disease and the relationship between EPEC and hematochezia are unknown. This study investigated the prevalence of EPEC infection in common marmosets and the association between EPEC and hematochezia. A total of 230 stool or rectal swab samples were collected from 230 common marmosets (98 clinically healthy, 85 diarrhea, and 47 bloody stool samples) and tested by culture-based detection and PCR amplification of VT1, VT2, LT, ST, eae, and bfp genes. Healthy animals were divided into three groups (n = 4 each for high and low concentration groups and n = 2 as negative control), and those in the experimental groups were perorally inoculated with a 2-ml of suspension of EPEC R811 strain adjusted to 5 × 108 (high concentration) and 5 × 104 (low concentration) CFU/ ml. Two animals in each group were examined 3 and 14 days post-inoculation (DPI). EPEC was detected in 10 of 98 clinically healthy samples (10.2%), 17 of 85 diarrhea samples (20%), and all 47 bloody stool samples (100%), with a significant difference detected between presence of EPEC and sample status (P < 0.01). Acute hematochezia was observed in all animals of the high-concentration group but not in other groups at 1 or 2 DPI. A histopathological examination revealed the attachment of gram-negative bacilli to epithelial apical membranes and desquamated epithelial cells in the cecum of animals in the high-concentration group at 3 DPI. These findings suggest that EPEC is a causative agent of hemorrhagic typhlocolitis in common marmosets.

Cosmogenic 10Be Depth Profile in top 560 m of West Antarctic Ice Sheet Divide Ice Core

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Welten, K. C.; Woodruff, T. E.; Caffee, M. W.; Edwards, R.; McConnell, J. R.; Bisiaux, M. M.; Nishiizumi, K.

2009-12-01

Concentrations of cosmogenic 10Be in polar ice samples are a function of variations in solar activity, geomagnetic field strength, atmospheric mixing and annual snow accumulation rates. The 10Be depth profile in ice cores also provides independent chronological markers to tie Antarctic to Greenland ice cores and to tie Holocene ice cores to the 14C dendrochronology record. We measured 10Be concentrations in 187 samples from depths of 0-560 m of the main WAIS Divide core, WDC06A. The ice samples are typically 1-2 kg and represent 2-4 m of ice, equivalent to an average temporal resolution of ~12 years, based on the preliminary age-depth scale proposed for the WDC core, (McConnell et al., in prep). Be, Al and Cl were separated using ion exchange chromatography techniques and the 10Be concentrations were measured by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) at PRIME lab. The 10Be concentrations range from 8.1 to 19.1 x 10^3 at/g, yielding an average of (13.1±2.1) x 10^3 at/g. Adopting an average snow accumulation rate of 20.9 cm weq/yr, as derived from the age-depth scale, this value corresponds to an average 10Be flux of (2.7±0.5) x 10^5 atoms/yr/cm2. This flux is similar to that of the Holocene part of the Siple Dome (Nishiizumi and Finkel, 2007) and Dome Fuji (Horiuchi et al. 2008) ice cores, but ~30% lower than the value of 4.0 x 10^5 atoms/yr/cm2 for GISP2 (Finkel and Nishiizumi, 1997). The periods of low solar activity, known as Oort, Wolf, Spörer, Maunder and Dalton minima, show ~20% higher 10Be concentrations/fluxes than the periods of average solar activity in the last millennium. The maximum 10Be fluxes during some of these periods of low solar activity are up to ~50% higher than average 10Be fluxes, as seen in other polar ice cores, which makes these peaks suitable as chronologic markers. We will compare the 10Be record in the WAIS Divide ice core with that in other Antarctic as well as Greenland ice cores and with the 14C treering record. Acknowledgment. This work was supported by NSF grants ANT-0538427, 0636815, 0636964 and 0739780. Finkel R. C. and Nishiizumi K. 1997. J. Geophys. Res. 102, 26,699-26,706. Horiuchi K., et al. 2008. Quatern. Geochron. 3, 253-261. Nishiizumi K. and Finkel R. C. 2007. Boulder, Colorado USA: National Snow and Ice Data Center. Digital media.

Analysis of lactate concentrations in canine synovial fluid.

PubMed

Proot, J L J; de Vicente, F; Sheahan, D E

2015-01-01

To report synovial fluid lactate concentrations in normal and pathological canine joints. Controlled, prospective study. Lactate was measured in synovial fluid using a hand-held meter and the rest of the fluid was sent to a commercial laboratory for analysis. Samples were divided into four groups; group 1: control, group 2: osteoarthritis, group 3: immune-mediated inflammatory arthritis, and group 4: septic arthritis. Statistical analysis was performed to compare lactate concentrations between the four groups and to examine the predictive value of lactate in the diagnosis of septic arthritis. A correlation was sought between synovial fluid lactate and synovial fluid total nucleated cell count and total protein. Seventy-four samples were investigated from 55 dogs. Statistical analysis found that lactate concentrations were significantly higher in the septic arthritis group than in each of the other three groups. No significant correlation could be found between synovial fluid lactate concentrations and synovial fluid total nucleated cell count or synovial fluid total protein. Lactate concentration was found to be a useful predictor of septic arthritis, with a low concentration pointing towards exclusion rather than a high concentration to the diagnosis of septic arthritis. Synovial fluid lactate concentration is not a good marker for osteoarthritis or immune-mediated inflammatory arthritis, but it is significantly increased in septic arthritis and could help the clinician in ruling out this condition in a quick and cost-effective way.

A comparison of geochemical exploration techniques and sample media within accretionary continental margins: an example from the Pacific Border Ranges, Southern Alaska, U.S.A.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sutley, S.J.; Goldfarb, R.J.; O'Leary, R. M.; Tripp, R.B.

1990-01-01

The Pacific Border Ranges of the southern Alaskan Cordillera are composed of a number of allochthonous tectonostratigraphic terranes. Within these terranes are widespread volcanogenic, massive sulfide deposits in and adjacent to portions of accreted ophiolite complexes, bands and disseminations of chromite in accreted island-arc ultramafic rocks, and epigenetic, gold-bearing quartz veins in metamorphosed turbidite sequences. A geochemical pilot study was undertaken to determine the most efficient exploration strategy for locating these types of mineral deposits within the Pacific Border Ranges and other typical convergent continental margin environments. High-density sediment sampling was carried out in first- and second-order stream channels surrounding typical gold, chromite and massive sulfide occurrences. At each site, a stream-sediment and a panned-concentrate sample were collected. In the laboratory, the stream sediments were sieved into coarse-sand, fine- to medium-sand, and silt- to clay-size fractions prior to analysis. One split of the panned concentrates was retained for analysis; a second split was further concentrated by gravity separation in heavy liquids and then divided into magnetic, weakly magnetic and nonmagnetic fractions for analysis. A number of different techniques including atomic absorption spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and semi-quantitative emission spectrography were used to analyze the various sample media. Comparison of the various types of sample media shows that in this tectonic environment it is most efficient to include a silt- to clay-size sediment fraction and a panned-concentrate sample. Even with the relatively low detection limits for many elements by plasma spectrometry and atomic absorption spectrometry, anomalies reflecting the presence of gold veins could not be identified in any of the stream-sediment fractions. Unseparated panned-concentrate samples should be analyzed by emission spectroscopy and atomic absorption spectrometry for Ag and Au. If, however, magnetic and nonmagnetic concentrate fractions are used in a reconnaissance program, semiquantitative emission spectrography is adequate for all analytical work. ?? 1990.

Stability of methacholine chloride in isotonic sodium chloride using a capillary electrophoresis assay.

PubMed

Henn, S; Monfort, P; Vigneron, J H; Hoffman, M A; Hoffman, M

1999-10-01

To investigate the stability of methacholine chloride in 0.9% sodium chloride solutions. Methacholine powder was mixed with diluent to a final concentration of 5 and 10 mg/ml. Duplicates of each admixture were divided and stored in glass vials at 25 degrees C, 4 degrees C and -20 degrees C for 12 months. At appropriate times intervals, samples were removed from solutions and analysed. Methacholine concentrations were measured using a high performance capillary electrophoresis assay. No colour or other visual changes were seen in any sample. However, an additional peak was observed in some samples. Methacholine chloride solutions 5 mg/ml were stable in isotonic sodium chloride after refrigeration or freezing over a period of one year; methacholine chloride solutions 10 mg/ml were stable for one year after freezing. The solutions stored at ambient temperature were stable for 35 days and for less than 14 days, respectively, for the 5 and the 10 mg/ml solutions.

Auditing as part of the terminology design life cycle.

PubMed

Min, Hua; Perl, Yehoshua; Chen, Yan; Halper, Michael; Geller, James; Wang, Yue

2006-01-01

To develop and test an auditing methodology for detecting errors in medical terminologies satisfying systematic inheritance. This methodology is based on various abstraction taxonomies that provide high-level views of a terminology and highlight potentially erroneous concepts. Our auditing methodology is based on dividing concepts of a terminology into smaller, more manageable units. First, we divide the terminology's concepts into areas according to their relationships/roles. Then each multi-rooted area is further divided into partial-areas (p-areas) that are singly-rooted. Each p-area contains a set of structurally and semantically uniform concepts. Two kinds of abstraction networks, called the area taxonomy and p-area taxonomy, are derived. These taxonomies form the basis for the auditing approach. Taxonomies tend to highlight potentially erroneous concepts in areas and p-areas. Human reviewers can focus their auditing efforts on the limited number of problematic concepts following two hypotheses on the probable concentration of errors. A sample of the area taxonomy and p-area taxonomy for the Biological Process (BP) hierarchy of the National Cancer Institute Thesaurus (NCIT) was derived from the application of our methodology to its concepts. These views led to the detection of a number of different kinds of errors that are reported, and to confirmation of the hypotheses on error concentration in this hierarchy. Our auditing methodology based on area and p-area taxonomies is an efficient tool for detecting errors in terminologies satisfying systematic inheritance of roles, and thus facilitates their maintenance. This methodology concentrates a domain expert's manual review on portions of the concepts with a high likelihood of errors.

Effects of wind direction on coarse and fine particulate matter concentrations in southeast Kansas.

PubMed

Guerra, Sergio A; Lane, Dennis D; Marotz, Glen A; Carter, Ray E; Hohl, Carrie M; Baldauf, Richard W

2006-11-01

Field data for coarse particulate matter ([PM] PM10) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) were collected at selected sites in Southeast Kansas from March 1999 to October 2000, using portable MiniVol particulate samplers. The purpose was to assess the influence on air quality of four industrial facilities that burn hazardous waste in the area located in the communities of Chanute, Independence, Fredonia, and Coffeyville. Both spatial and temporal variation were observed in the data. Variation because of sampling site was found to be statistically significant for PM10 but not for PM2.5. PM10 concentrations were typically slightly higher at sites located within the four study communities than at background sites. Sampling sites were located north and south of the four targeted sources to provide upwind and downwind monitoring pairs. No statistically significant differences were found between upwind and downwind samples for either PM10 or PM2.5, indicating that the targeted sources did not contribute significantly to PM concentrations. Wind direction can frequently contribute to temporal variation in air pollutant concentrations and was investigated in this study. Sampling days were divided into four classifications: predominantly south winds, predominantly north winds, calm/variable winds, and winds from other directions. The effect of wind direction was found to be statistically significant for both PM10 and PM2.5. For both size ranges, PM concentrations were typically highest on days with predominantly south winds; days with calm/variable winds generally produced higher concentrations than did those with predominantly north winds or those with winds from "other" directions. The significant effect of wind direction suggests that regional sources may exert a large influence on PM concentrations in the area.

Determination of sperm acrosin activity in the arctic fox (Alopex lagopus L.)--using method developed for human spermatozoa.

PubMed

Stasiak, K; Janicki, B; Glogowski, J

2012-01-01

The aim of the study was to adapt a method to determine acrosin activity of human spermatozoa to arctic fox (Alopex lagopus L.) spermatozoa. We modified this method by reducing sperm count per sample from 1 divided by 10 x 10(6) to 25 divided by 200 x 10(3), incubation time from 180 minutes to 60 minutes, and Triton X-100 concentration in the reaction mixture from 0.01% to 0.005% per 100 cm3. It has also confirmed that arctic fox seminal plasma is rich in proteinases and their inhibitors. To completely abolish the inhibitory effect of seminal plasma on acrosin activity it is recommended to wash the spermatozoa four times. Benzamidine served an inhibitor of acrosin activity.

Organochlorine pesticide levels in umbilical cord blood of newborn in Veracruz, Mexico.

PubMed

Herrero-Mercado, Margarita; Waliszewski, S M; Caba, M; Martínez-Valenzuela, C; Hernández-Chalate, F

2010-10-01

Organochlorine pesticides accumulate in lipid rich compartments of organisms. During pregnancy, the compounds pass through the placental barrier appear in cord blood. The aim of this study was to monitor the levels of organochlorine pesticides in 70 umbilical cord blood samples taken during deliveries in Veracruz in 2009. For organochlorine pesticides, only the presence β-HCH (4%, 3.9 μg/L median concentration on wet weight), pp'DDE (100%, 0.7 μg/L) and pp'DDT (4%, 1.4 μg/L) were detected. The total pool of samples divided according to sex of new born babies, showed no statistical differences among median concentrations. The number of deliveries considered as a determinant contamination factor affirmed there were no statistical differences among median concentrations; however pp'DDE levels increased from the one to two childbirth groups. Age of pregnant women as a discriminate factor manifests in a significant increase in contamination levels among first, second and third tertile. In general, umbilical cord blood samples in Veracruz contained organochlorine pesticides, especially pp'DDE, confirming the presence of these compounds in the environment and their transfer from the mother to the developing fetus.

Emission characteristics and chemical components of size-segregated particulate matter in iron and steel industry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jia, Jia; Cheng, Shuiyuan; Yao, Sen; Xu, Tiebing; Zhang, Tingting; Ma, Yuetao; Wang, Hongliang; Duan, Wenjiao

2018-06-01

As one of the highest energy consumption and pollution industries, the iron and steel industry is regarded as a most important source of particulate matter emission. In this study, chemical components of size-segregated particulate matters (PM) emitted from different manufacturing units in iron and steel industry were sampled by a comprehensive sampling system. Results showed that the average particle mass concentration was highest in sintering process, followed by puddling, steelmaking and then rolling processes. PM samples were divided into eight size fractions for testing the chemical components, SO42- and NH4+ distributed more into fine particles while most of the Ca2+ was concentrated in coarse particles, the size distribution of mineral elements depended on the raw materials applied. Moreover, local database with PM chemical source profiles of iron and steel industry were built and applied in CMAQ modeling for simulating SO42- and NO3- concentration, results showed that the accuracy of model simulation improved with local chemical source profiles compared to the SPECIATE database. The results gained from this study are expected to be helpful to understand the components of PM in iron and steel industry and contribute to the source apportionment researches.

Monitoring of organochlorine pesticide residue levels in adipose tissue of Veracruz, Mexico inhabitants.

PubMed

Waliszewski, Stefan M; Caba, M; Herrero-Mercado, M; Saldariaga-Noreña, H; Meza, E; Zepeda, R; Martínez-Valenzuela, C; Infanzon, R; Hernández-Chalate, F

2011-11-01

The objective of the present study was to monitor the levels of organochlorine pesticides HCB, α-β-γ-HCH, pp'DDE, op'DDT and pp'DDT in 150 adipose tissue samples of Veracruz, Mexico inhabitants. In analyzed samples, the following pesticides were detected: p,p'-DDE in 100% of the samples at mean 1.643 mg/kg; p,p'-DDT in 99.3.% of the samples at mean 0.227 mg/kg; β-HCH in 97.3% of the samples at mean 0.063 mg/kg; and op'DDT in 93.3% of the samples at mean 0.022 mg/kg. Comparing mean, median and geometric mean concentrations of organochlorine pesticides shows a decrease in values from mean to median and to geometric mean which points out a prevalence of lower concentrations among the total samples and the existence of occasional cases of extreme exposure expressed in range values. The pooled samples divided according to sex, showed only significant differences of pp'DDE median concentrations between sexes. The other organochlorine pesticides indicated no statistical differences between sexes, including the pp'DDE/pp'DDT ratio. The samples grouped according to age, showed that the third tertile was more contaminated for both sexes, indicating age as a positively associated factor with organochlorine pesticide levels in adipose tissue of Veracruz inhabitants. Comparing organochlorine pesticide levels between 2008 and 2010 years, a decreased tendency for β-HCH, pp'DDE, Σ-DDT and pp'DDE/pp'DDT ratio levels was observed.

Preparation of the low molecular weight serum proteome for mass spectrometry analysis.

PubMed

Waybright, Timothy J; Chan, King C; Veenstra, Timothy D; Xiao, Zhen

2013-01-01

The discovery of viable biomarkers or indicators of disease states is complicated by the inherent complexity of the chosen biological specimen. Every sample, whether it is serum, plasma, urine, tissue, cells, or a host of others, contains thousands of large and small components, each interacting in multiple ways. The need to concentrate on a group of these components to narrow the focus on a potential biomarker candidate becomes, out of necessity, a priority, especially in the search for immune-related low molecular weight serum biomarkers. One such method in the field of proteomics is to divide the sample proteome into groups based on the size of the protein, analyze each group, and mine the data for statistically significant items. This chapter details a portion of this method, concentrating on a method for fractionating and analyzing the low molecular weight proteome of human serum.

A method to eliminate the influence of incident light variations in spectral analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Yongshun; Li, Gang; Fu, Zhigang; Guan, Yang; Zhang, Shengzhao; Lin, Ling

2018-06-01

The intensity of the light source and consistency of the spectrum are the most important factors influencing the accuracy in quantitative spectrometric analysis. An efficient "measuring in layer" method was proposed in this paper to limit the influence of inconsistencies in the intensity and spectrum of the light source. In order to verify the effectiveness of this method, a light source with a variable intensity and spectrum was designed according to Planck's law and Wien's displacement law. Intra-lipid samples with 12 different concentrations were prepared and divided into modeling sets and prediction sets according to different incident lights and solution concentrations. The spectra of each sample were measured with five different light intensities. The experimental results showed that the proposed method was effective in eliminating the influence caused by incident light changes and was more effective than normalized processing.

Total morphine stability in urine specimens stored under various conditions.

PubMed

Chang, B L; Huang, M K; Tsai, Y Y

2000-09-01

The stability of total morphine in urine stored under various conditions was studied using control and experimental specimens. Samples in the control group were prepared using drug-free urine spiked with morphine at three concentration levels (300, 1000, and 2500 ng/mL), each with the pH adjusted to 5.5, 6.5, and 7.5. Samples in the experimental group came from 20 alleged heroin addicts (provided by Taipei Municipal Psychiatric Hospital). Samples in both groups were divided into two categories--one with and one without the precipitate (formed at 0 degrees C) removed. Samples in each of these two categories were further divided into two sub-groups--one with and one without sodium azide (0.05%) added. Total morphine contents in these samples were first determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry prior to storage and at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months following storage at -20, 4, 25, and 35 degrees C. Effects of sample treatment (azide addition and precipitate removal), pH, and storage temperature and length were evaluated by examining the percentage of total morphine remaining at the four time intervals following the initial determination. Major findings were as follows: (1) total morphine decomposition was minimal when stored for 12 months at -20 degrees C, which is a common current practice; (2) samples with lower initial sample pH had slower total morphine decomposition rates; and (3) azide addition appeared to have no detectable effect, whereas precipitate removal appeared to marginally reduce the decomposition rate, especially for samples with lower pH.

The Impact of Freeze-Thaw Cycles on Epinephrine.

PubMed

Beasley, Heather; Ng, Pearlly; Wheeler, Albert; Smith, William R; McIntosh, Scott E

2015-12-01

Epinephrine is the first-line medical treatment for anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic syndrome. To treat anaphylaxis, backcountry recreationalists and guides commonly carry epinephrine autoinjectors. Epinephrine may be exposed to cold temperatures and freezing during expeditions. An epinephrine solution must contain 90% to 115% of the labeled epinephrine amount to meet United States Pharmacopeia standards. The purpose of this study was to determine whether freeze-thaw cycles alter epinephrine concentrations in autoinjectors labeled to contain 1.0 mg/mL epinephrine. A further objective was to determine whether samples continued to meet United States Pharmacopeia concentration standards after freeze-thaw cycles. Epinephrine from 6 autoinjectors was extracted and divided into experimental and control samples. The experimental samples underwent 7 consecutive 12-hour freeze cycles followed by 7 12-hour thaw cycles. The control samples remained at an average temperature of 23.1°C for the duration of the study. After the seventh thaw cycle, epinephrine concentrations were measured using a high-performance liquid chromatography assay with mass spectrometry detection. The mean epinephrine concentration of the freeze-thaw samples demonstrated a statistically significant increase compared with the control samples: 1.07 mg/mL (SD ± 8.78; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.11) versus 0.96 mg/mL (SD ± 6.81; 95% CI, 0.94 to 0.99), respectively. The maximal mean epinephrine concentration in the experimental freeze-thaw group was 1.12 mg/mL, which still fell within the range of United States Pharmacopeia standards for injectables (0.90 to 1.15 mg/mL). Although every attempt should be made to prevent freezing of autoinjectors, this preliminary study demonstrates that epinephrine concentrations remain within 90% to 115% of 1.0 mg/mL after multiple freeze-thaw cycles. Copyright © 2015 Wilderness Medical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effect of exercise intensity on cerebrospinal fluid interleukin-6 concentration during recovery from exhaustive exercise in rats.

PubMed

Kılıç, M; Ulusoy, Ö; Cırrık, S; Hindistan, I E; Ozkaya, Y Gül

2014-03-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible role of moderate and strenuous swimming training on plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) IL-6 (interleukin-6) levels during recovery from exhaustive exercise in rats. Wistar rats were divided into three groups: sedentary control (C), moderately trained (MT) and strenuously trained (ST). MT rats underwent swimming exercise for one hour/day and 5 days/week for 8 weeks. Animals in the ST group began swimming with 1 h/day and swimming duration was progressively increased by 30 min/wk, reaching 2.5 h/day by week 4 and stayed constant for an additional 4 weeks. After all animals underwent an acute exhaustive swimming exercise, animals were divided into 3 groups, and decapitated immediately, 24 and 48 hours after exhaustion to obtain tissue samples. Muscle citrate synthase activity, plasma and CSF IL-6 levels were determined. The citrate synthase activity was found to be higher in MT and ST groups compared to the C group. Although plasma IL-6 levels were found unaltered among all groups, the CSF IL-6 concentration was found to be increased 24 hours after exhaustive exercise of the ST group. We conclude that exercise training intensity is an important factor determining cerebrospinal IL-6 concentration after exhaustive exercise.

Oxidative status of human milk and its variations during cold storage.

PubMed

Miranda, María; Muriach, María; Almansa, Inmaculada; Jareño, Enrique; Bosch-Morell, Francisco; Romero, Francisco J; Silvestre, Dolores

2004-01-01

Breastfeeding and human milk are widely accepted as optimal for human infants' nutrition. Nowadays lifestyle often makes it difficult to maintain or even initiate human lactation. This situation is mostly related to the workload of women away from home. New approaches are needed to enable maternal lactation under these circumstances. Human breastmilk storage for differed use is one possibility. The aim of this study was to assess changes in glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and in the concentration of the lipid peroxidation marker, malondialdehyde (MDA), when human milk was kept refrigerated or frozen. Thirty-two human milk samples were assayed for GPx activity and MDA concentration. Samples were divided in three aliquot portions, the first to be immediately analysed, the second to be refrigerated at 4 degrees C and analysed 24 h thereafter, and the third to be frozen at -20 degrees C and assayed after 10 days. GPx activity was significantly decreased in refrigerated and in frozen milk, when compared to their control samples. MDA was increased only in refrigerated milk but not in frozen samples. Thus, freezing seems better than refrigeration in order to prevent lipid peroxidation in stored human milk samples.

Differences in results of analyses of concurrent and split stream-water samples collected and analyzed by the US Geological Survey and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, 1985-91

USGS Publications Warehouse

Melching, C.S.; Coupe, R.H.

1995-01-01

During water years 1985-91, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) cooperated in the collection and analysis of concurrent and split stream-water samples from selected sites in Illinois. Concurrent samples were collected independently by field personnel from each agency at the same time and sent to the IEPA laboratory, whereas the split samples were collected by USGS field personnel and divided into aliquots that were sent to each agency's laboratory for analysis. The water-quality data from these programs were examined by means of the Wilcoxon signed ranks test to identify statistically significant differences between results of the USGS and IEPA analyses. The data sets for constituents and properties identified by the Wilcoxon test as having significant differences were further examined by use of the paired t-test, mean relative percentage difference, and scattergrams to determine if the differences were important. Of the 63 constituents and properties in the concurrent-sample analysis, differences in only 2 (pH and ammonia) were statistically significant and large enough to concern water-quality engineers and planners. Of the 27 constituents and properties in the split-sample analysis, differences in 9 (turbidity, dissolved potassium, ammonia, total phosphorus, dissolved aluminum, dissolved barium, dissolved iron, dissolved manganese, and dissolved nickel) were statistically significant and large enough to con- cern water-quality engineers and planners. The differences in concentration between pairs of the concurrent samples were compared to the precision of the laboratory or field method used. The differences in concentration between pairs of the concurrent samples were compared to the precision of the laboratory or field method used. The differences in concentration between paris of split samples were compared to the precision of the laboratory method used and the interlaboratory precision of measuring a given concentration or property. Consideration of method precision indicated that differences between concurrent samples were insignificant for all concentrations and properties except pH, and that differences between split samples were significant for all concentrations and properties. Consideration of interlaboratory precision indicated that the differences between the split samples were not unusually large. The results for the split samples illustrate the difficulty in obtaining comparable and accurate water-quality data.

Speciation of mercury in sludge solids: washed sludge

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bannochie, C. J.; Lourie, A. P.

2017-10-24

The objective of this applied research task was to study the type and concentration of mercury compounds found within the contaminated Savannah River Site Liquid Waste System (SRS LWS). A method of selective sequential extraction (SSE), developed by Eurofins Frontier Global Sciences1,2 and adapted by SRNL, utilizes an extraction procedure divided into seven separate tests for different species of mercury. In the SRNL’s modified procedure four of these tests were applied to a washed sample of high level radioactive waste sludge.

Analysis of particle-associated semi-volatile aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons in urban particulate matter on a daily basis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schnelle-Kreis, Jürgen; Sklorz, Martin; Peters, Anette; Cyrys, Josef; Zimmermann, Ralf

PM 2.5 Particle-associated semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOC) were determined in the city of Augsburg, Germany. Daily samples were collected at a central monitoring station from late summer to late autumn 2002. The concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), oxidized PAH (O-PAH), n-alkanes, hopanes and long chain linear alkylbenzenes were determined by direct thermal desorption-gas chromatography-time of flight mass spectrometry (DTD-GC-TOFMS). Additionally, PM 2.5 particle mass and number concentrations were measured. The sampling campaign can be divided into two parts, distinguished by a lower temperature level in the second part of the campaign. The particulate mass concentration showed no significant changes, whereas most of the SVOC had significant higher mean and peak concentrations in the colder period. The analysis of the data showed an increased influence of non-traffic sources in the colder period, reflected by a weak shift in the PAH profile and a significant shift in the hopane pattern. Statistical analysis of the inter-group correlations was carried out. Eight clusters partly representing different sources of the aerosol have been identified.

Simultaneous Determination of Residue from 58 Pesticides in the Wheat Flour Consumed in Tehran, Iran by GC/MS

PubMed Central

Rezaei, Mohammad; Shariatifar, Nabi; Shoeibi, Shahram; Amir Ahmadi, Maryam; Jahed Khaniki, Gholamreza

2017-01-01

Food safety has a direct impact on human health and as such is a growing concern worldwide. Presence of harmful pesticide residue in food is a serious cause for concern among consumers so it is important to monitor levels of pesticides in foods. The aim of this study was simultaneous determination of concentrations of 58 pesticides in 40 wheat flour samples collected from Tehran market in January, 2014. The city under study (Tehran) was divided into five districts and samples were collected independently from each district and sourced from different bakeries (n=40). A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry single quadrupole selected ion monitoring «GC/MS-SQ-SIM» method was used to quantify residue of 58 pesticides in the wheat flour samples. Four of the 40 samples showed contamination with Malathion (2 samples: 50.96 ± 11.38 and 62.088 ± 11.38 ppb) and 2, 4-DDE (2 samples: 19.88±15.24 and 13.7 ± 15.24 ppb). that had levels below MRLs of these pesticides in Iran. Averages of recovery of pesticides at 6 concentration levels were in the range of 81.61-118.41%. The method was proven as repeatable with RSDr in the range of 6.5-29.45% for all concentration levels. The limit of quantification for 37 of the tested pesticides was calculated as 15 ppb and for the other 21 tested pesticides, the concentration was 25 ppb. In summary, results of these tests suggested that the wheat flour consumed in Tehran, was within safety limits in terms of levels of pesticide residues. PMID:29201093

Auditing as Part of the Terminology Design Life Cycle

PubMed Central

Min, Hua; Perl, Yehoshua; Chen, Yan; Halper, Michael; Geller, James; Wang, Yue

2006-01-01

Objective To develop and test an auditing methodology for detecting errors in medical terminologies satisfying systematic inheritance. This methodology is based on various abstraction taxonomies that provide high-level views of a terminology and highlight potentially erroneous concepts. Design Our auditing methodology is based on dividing concepts of a terminology into smaller, more manageable units. First, we divide the terminology’s concepts into areas according to their relationships/roles. Then each multi-rooted area is further divided into partial-areas (p-areas) that are singly-rooted. Each p-area contains a set of structurally and semantically uniform concepts. Two kinds of abstraction networks, called the area taxonomy and p-area taxonomy, are derived. These taxonomies form the basis for the auditing approach. Taxonomies tend to highlight potentially erroneous concepts in areas and p-areas. Human reviewers can focus their auditing efforts on the limited number of problematic concepts following two hypotheses on the probable concentration of errors. Results A sample of the area taxonomy and p-area taxonomy for the Biological Process (BP) hierarchy of the National Cancer Institute Thesaurus (NCIT) was derived from the application of our methodology to its concepts. These views led to the detection of a number of different kinds of errors that are reported, and to confirmation of the hypotheses on error concentration in this hierarchy. Conclusion Our auditing methodology based on area and p-area taxonomies is an efficient tool for detecting errors in terminologies satisfying systematic inheritance of roles, and thus facilitates their maintenance. This methodology concentrates a domain expert’s manual review on portions of the concepts with a high likelihood of errors. PMID:16929044

Thyroid Hormones Concentrations during the Mid-Dry Period: An Early Indicator of Fatty Liver in Holstein-Friesian Dairy Cows

PubMed Central

Šamanc, Horea; Stojić, Velibor; Kirovski, Danijela; Jovanović, Milijan; Cernescu, Horia; Vujanac, Ivan

2010-01-01

Relationship between postpartal fatty liver and thyroid gland activity during the peripartal and mid dry periods was studied. Twenty one dry cows were chosen. Blood samples were obtained on days −30, −2, and +12 related to calving and analized for thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). A T3/T4 ratio was calculated. Liver tissue samples were taken 12 d after calving and tested for the lipid content. Cows were divided into three groups: mild (<20% fat), moderate (20 to 30%), or severe fatty liver (>30%). Cows, that were affected with severe fatty liver, were hypothyroid prior to development of the condition due to lower T4 concentrations, and had significantly lower concentration of T3 and higher T3/T4 ratios than cows with mild and moderate fatty liver. Thus, hypothyroid state during mid-dry period may be an early indicator of postpartal fatty liver and may provoke T3/T4 ratio increase in this group of cows. PMID:21048844

Aqueous solubility calculation for petroleum mixtures in soil using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography analysis data.

PubMed

Mao, Debin; Lookman, Richard; Van De Weghe, Hendrik; Vanermen, Guido; De Brucker, Nicole; Diels, Ludo

2009-04-03

An assessment of aqueous solubility (leaching potential) of soil contaminations with petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) is important in the context of the evaluation of (migration) risks and soil/groundwater remediation. Field measurements using monitoring wells often overestimate real TPH concentrations in case of presence of pure oil in the screened interval of the well. This paper presents a method to calculate TPH equilibrium concentrations in groundwater using soil analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography followed by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (HPLC-GCXGC). The oil in the soil sample is divided into 79 defined hydrocarbon fractions on two GCXGC color plots. To each of these fractions a representative water solubility is assigned. Overall equilibrium water solubility of the non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) present in the sample and the water phase's chemical composition (in terms of the 79 fractions defined) are then calculated using Raoult's law. The calculation method was validated using soil spiked with 13 different TPH mixtures and 1 field-contaminated soil. Measured water solubilities using a column recirculation equilibration experiment agreed well to calculated equilibrium concentrations and water phase TPH composition.

The effect of pasteurization on transforming growth factor alpha and transforming growth factor beta 2 concentrations in human milk.

PubMed

McPherson, R J; Wagner, C L

2001-01-01

Transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) and beta 2 (TGF-beta2) are present in human milk and are involved in growth differentiation and repair of neonatal intestinal epithelia. Heat treatment at 56 degrees C has been shown effective for providing safe banked donor milk, with good retention of other biologically active factors. The purpose of our study was to determine the effect of heat sterilization on TGF-alpha and TGF-beta2 concentrations in human milk. Twenty milk samples were collected from 20 lactating mothers in polypropylene containers and frozen at -20 degrees C for transport or storage. Before heat treatment by holder pasteurization, the frozen milk was thawed and divided into 1-mL aliquots. All samples were heated in an accurately regulated water bath until a holding temperature was achieved, then held for 30 minutes using constant agitation. Holding temperature ranged from 56.5 degrees C to 56.9 degrees C. The milk was then stored at 4 degrees C overnight for analysis the following day. The concentration of TGF-alpha was measured by radioimmunoassay. Mean concentration +/- SD of TGF-alpha in raw milk samples was 119+/-50 pg/mL, range 57 to 234. The mean concentration +/- SD of TGF-alpha in heat treated samples was 113+/-50 pg/mL, range 51 to 227. TGF-alpha concentration was minimally affected by pasteurization, with an overall loss of 6.1%. Of 19 samples, 4 had increased and 15 had decreased concentrations after pasteurization (mean percent SEM: 94%+/-7% of raw milk, range 72%+/-107%). The concentration of acid-activated TGF-beta2 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Mean concentration +/- SD of TGF-beta2 in raw milk samples was 5624+/-5038 pg/mL, range 195 to 15480. The mean concentration +/- SD of TGF-beta2 in heat-treated samples was 5073+/-4646 pg/mL, range 181 to 15140. TGF-beta2 survived with relatively little loss (0.6%): of 18 samples, 11 had increased and 7 had decreased concentrations after pasteurization (mean percent +/- SEM: 99.4+/-6.7% of raw milk, range 79%-120%). In conclusion, both TGF-alpha and TGF-beta2 were well-preserved in whole milk after holder pasteurization at 56.5 degrees C. The relative increase in growth factor concentration in some of the samples may be attributable to the release of that factor from the cellular and/or fat compartments into the aqueous fraction of human milk. These findings have implications regarding use of donor milk as an alternate source of growth factors and cytokines for the newborn gut when mother's milk is unavailable.

Assessment of arsenic levels in body samples and chronic exposure in people using water with a high concentration of arsenic: a field study in Kutahya.

PubMed

Arikan, Inci; Namdar, Nazli Dizen; Kahraman, Cuneyt; Dagci, Merve; Ece, Ezgi

2015-01-01

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of skin lesions, which is a health effect of chronic arsenic (As) exposure, and determine the hair/blood arsenic concentrations of people living in Kutahya villages who are using and drinking tap water with a high concentration of arsenic. A total of 303 people were included in the present cross-sectional study. A prepared questionnaire form was used to collect the participants' information and environmental history. Skin examination was performed on all participants. Hair, blood and water samples were analyzed using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The cumulative arsenic index (CAI) was calculated for all participants. Villages were divided into two groups according to the arsenic level (<20 μg/L, Group I; >20 μg/L, Group II) in their water. The prevalence of skin lesions, hair and blood arsenic level, and CAI were found to be higher in the Group II participants. There was a positive association between body arsenic levels and CAI in the participants of each group. The number of skin lesions and arsenic concentrations in body samples were found to increase with the water arsenic level and exposure time. We hope that sharing this study's results with local administrators will help accelerate the rehabilitation of water sources in Kutahya.

A dominance shift from the zebra mussel to the invasive quagga mussel may alter the trophic transfer of metals.

PubMed

Matthews, Jonathan; Schipper, Aafke M; Hendriks, A Jan; Yen Le, T T; Bij de Vaate, Abraham; van der Velde, Gerard; Leuven, Rob S E W

2015-08-01

Bioinvasions are a major cause of biodiversity and ecosystem changes. The rapid range expansion of the invasive quagga mussel (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) causing a dominance shift from zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) to quagga mussels, may alter the risk of secondary poisoning to predators. Mussel samples were collected from various water bodies in the Netherlands, divided into size classes, and analysed for metal concentrations. Concentrations of nickel and copper in quagga mussels were significantly lower than in zebra mussels overall. In lakes, quagga mussels contained significantly higher concentrations of aluminium, iron and lead yet significantly lower concentrations of zinc66, cadmium111, copper, nickel, cobalt and molybdenum than zebra mussels. In the river water type quagga mussel soft tissues contained significantly lower concentrations of zinc66. Our results suggest that a dominance shift from zebra to quagga mussels may reduce metal exposure of predator species. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Genes are differentially expressed at transcriptional level of Neocaridina denticulata following short-term exposure to nonylphenol.

PubMed

Liu, Chang-Lun; Sung, Hung-Hung

2011-09-01

To assess the toxicity of nonylphenol towards aquatic crustaceans, Neocaridina denticulata were exposed short-term to sublethal concentration (0.001-0.5 mg/L). Following treatment, differentially expressed genes were identified using suppression subtractive hybridization on samples prepared from whole specimens. There were 20 differentially expressed sequence tags that corresponded to known genes and could be divided into six functional classes: defence, translation, metabolism, ribosomal gene expression, respiration, and genes involved in the stress response. Using semi-quantitative RT-PCR, we found that 14 of the differentially expressed sequence tags significantly responded to nonylphenol, including six at a nominal concentration of 0.01 mg/L; among them, 12 genes were down-regulated. These results suggest that under non-lethal concentrations of nonylphenol, the polluted aquatic environment may still present a potential risk to N. denticulata.

Evaluation of metal ion release from Ti6Al4V and Co-Cr-Mo casting alloys: in vivo and in vitro study.

PubMed

El Sawy, Amal A; Shaarawy, Mohammed A

2014-02-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the amount of ions released from Ti6Al4V and Co-Cr-Mo alloys both in vivo and in vitro. Twenty-one discs of each alloy were constructed and divided into seven groups. Three specimens from each group were immersed in a buffered saline solution over a period of 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. Twenty-eight participants were also included in the study, where the study group consisted of 14 mandibular partially edentulous patients, and the control group consisted of 14 volunteers. The study group was further divided into two equal groups: the first group received removable partial dentures (RPDs) constructed from Co-Cr-Mo alloy, while the second group received RPDs constructed from Ti6Al4V alloy. Saliva samples were collected from each participant over the same study period. The conditioning media and saliva samples were analyzed using a spectrophotometer. One-way ANOVA and Tukey tests were used for statistical analysis (p < 0.05). The concentrations of metal ions released from the studied alloys were significantly higher in the in vitro than in the in vivo study group during the follow-up periods. A statistically significant increase in ion concentrations of the different elements for both alloys was found with time (p < 0.05). The amounts of released metallic ions from Co-Cr-Mo and Ti6Al4V alloys were higher in the buffered saline solutions than in the studied saliva samples and control groups; however, these amounts were still within the physiological limit of trace elements in the human body. © 2013 by the American College of Prosthodontists.

Thermal desorption behavior of helium in aged titanium tritide films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, G. J.; Shi, L. Q.; Zhou, X. S.; Liang, J. H.; Wang, W. D.; Long, X. G.; Yang, B. F.; Peng, S. M.

2015-11-01

The desorption behavior of helium in TiT(1.5∼1.8)-x3Hex film samples (x = 0.0022-0.22) was investigated by thermal desorption technique in vacuum condition in this paper. The thermal helium desorption spectrometry (THDS) of aging titanium tritide films prepared by electron beam evaporation revealed that, depending on the decayed 3He concentration in the samples, there are more than four states of helium existing in the films. The divided four zones in THDS based on helium states represent respectively: (1) the mobile single helium atoms with low activation energy in all aging samples resulted from the interstitial sites or dissociated from interstitial clusters, loops and dislocations, (2) helium bubbles inside the grain lattices, (3) helium bubbles in the grain boundaries and interconnected networks of dislocations in the helium concentration of 3Hegen/Ti > 0.0094, and (4) helium bubbles near or linked to the film surface by interconnected channel for later aging stage with 3Hegen/Ti > 0.18. The proportion of helium desorption in each zone was estimated, and dissociated energies of helium for different trapping states were given.

Soluble CD30 in renal transplant recipients: is it a good biomarker to predict rejection?

PubMed

Azarpira, Negar; Aghdaie, Mahdokht Hosein; Malekpour, Zahra

2010-01-01

It has been suggested that the serum soluble CD30 (sCD30) level may be a poten-tial marker for the prediction of acute allograft rejection in kidney transplant recipients. Therefore, its serum concentrations might offer a promising non-invasive tool to recognize patients with an increased risk for developing an acute graft rejection. We retrospectively correlate pre and post transplant level on post transplant graft survival, incidence of acute rejection and graft function using stored serum samples. Ninety-nine patients were divided in two separate groups: Group A in whom sample collection was done one day before transplantation and Group B where sample collection was done five days after transplantation. Younger recipients (aged less than 20 years) had higher sCD30 levels (P= 0.02). There was neither significant difference in the incidence of acute rejection nor incomplete response rate after anti rejection therapy in relation to pre transplant or post transplant sCD30. We could not find a significantly inferior graft survival rate in the high sCD30 group. In conclusion, younger patients had higher sCD30 concentrations however no correlation existed between the serum concentrations and occurrence of rejection episodes or graft survival.

Monitoring of antifouling booster biocides in water and sediment from the port of Osaka, Japan.

PubMed

Harino, Hiroya; Mori, Yoshiaki; Yamaguchi, Yoshitaka; Shibata, Kiyoshi; Senda, Tetsuya

2005-04-01

Concentrations of booster antifouling compounds in the port of Osaka, Japan were assessed. Concentrations of Sea-Nine 211 (4,5-dichloro-2-n-octyl-3-isothiazolone), thiabendazole (2-(4-thiazolyl)-benzimidazole), IPBC (3-iodo-2-propynyl butylcarbamate), Diuron (3,4-dichlorophenyl-N, N-dimethylurea), Irgarol 1051 (2-methylthio-4-t-butylamino-6-cyclopropylamino-s-triazine), and M1 (2-methylthio-4-t-butylamino-6-amino-s-triazine) in port water samples were in the range of <0.003-0.004 microg L(-1), <0.0008-0.020 microg L(-1), <0.0007-1.54 microg L(-1), <0.0008-0.267 microg L(-1), and <0.0019-0.167 microg L(-1), respectively. IPBC was not detected in the water samples, but the concentration of Diuron was higher than any previously reported. The concentrations of Sea-Nine 211, thiabendazole, Diuron, Irgarol 1051, and M1 in sediment samples were in the range of <0.04-2.4 microg kg(-1) dry, <0.08-1.2 microg kg(-1) dry, <0.64-1350 microg kg(-1) dry, <0.08-8.2 microg kg(-1) dry, and <0.18-2.9 microg kg(-1) dry, respectively. IPBC was again not detected. The levels of Sea-Nine 211, Diuron, and Irgarol 1051 in water and sediment samples were high in a poorly flushed mooring area for small and medium-hull vessels. Levels of Diuron and Irgarol 1051 were highest in summer. The concentration of Sea-Nine 211 in water increased between August and October 2002. Except for M1, increases in the levels of booster biocides in sediment were observed during the study period. The sediment-water partition (Kd) was calculated by dividing the concentrations in sediment by the concentrations in water. The Kd values for Sea-Nine 211, thiabendazole, Diuron, Irgarol 1051, and M1 were 690, 180, 2700, 300, and 870. The Kd value for these alternative compounds was lower than for TBT.

Adrenal activity in maned wolves is higher on farmlands and park boundaries than within protected areas.

PubMed

Spercoski, Katherinne M; Morais, Rosana N; Morato, Ronaldo G; de Paula, Rogério C; Azevedo, Fernanda C; May-Júnior, Joares A; Santos, Jean P; Reghelin, Angela L; Wildt, David E; Songsasen, Nucharin

2012-11-01

In this study we measured excreted fecal corticoid metabolites (FCM) in maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) living within a protected reserve, on farmlands or in a boundary zone between the two habitats, and determined the impacts of season and reproductive status on adrenal activity. Feces were collected within a national park (n=191 samples), a park boundary zone (n=39) and on nearby farmlands (n=27), processed and analyzed by enzyme immunoassay. FCM amounts from samples collected on farmlands were higher (P<0.05) than in those collected inside the reserve and from the boundary zone. In relation to seasonality, FCM were elevated (P<0.05) in spring (September-November) when wolf pairs were raising young. We then divided the samples collected during breeding season (March-August) into cycling females and male/non-cycling females based on fecal progesterone: fecal testosterone ratio. FCM concentrations of the former collected inside the park were higher than (P<0.05) than the latter group. However, there were no differences in FCM levels between the two groups for samples collected in the boundary zone and on farmlands. Furthermore, FCM concentrations of male/non-cycling females samples collected on farmlands were 2- to 5-fold higher (P<0.05) than in counterparts collected inside the park. The consistently high FCM concentrations in samples collected on farmlands indicate that, in addition to seasonality, gender and reproductive status, anthropogenic pressures also contribute to elevating adrenal steroid for individuals living in altered habitat. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

40 CFR 53.32 - Test procedures for methods for SO2, CO, O3, and NO2.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... continuous period divided by the time period. Integration of the instantaneous concentration may be performed.../fall time differences between the candidate and reference methods. Details of the means of integration... instantaneous concentration over a 24-hour continuous period divided by the time period. This integration may be...

40 CFR 53.32 - Test procedures for methods for SO2, CO, O3, and NO2.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... continuous period divided by the time period. Integration of the instantaneous concentration may be performed.../fall time differences between the candidate and reference methods. Details of the means of integration... instantaneous concentration over a 24-hour continuous period divided by the time period. This integration may be...

40 CFR 53.32 - Test procedures for methods for SO2, CO, O3, and NO2.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... continuous period divided by the time period. Integration of the instantaneous concentration may be performed.../fall time differences between the candidate and reference methods. Details of the means of integration... instantaneous concentration over a 24-hour continuous period divided by the time period. This integration may be...

40 CFR 53.32 - Test procedures for methods for SO2, CO, O3, and NO2.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... continuous period divided by the time period. Integration of the instantaneous concentration may be performed.../fall time differences between the candidate and reference methods. Details of the means of integration... instantaneous concentration over a 24-hour continuous period divided by the time period. This integration may be...

The macronutrients in human milk change after storage in various containers.

PubMed

Chang, Yu-Chuan; Chen, Chao-Huei; Lin, Ming-Chih

2012-06-01

The concentrations of macronutrients in human milk can be influenced by various processes, such as storage, freezing, and thawing, that are performed by lactating working mothers and breast milk banks. We evaluated the impact of various containers on the nutrient concentrations in human milk. A total of 42 breast milk samples from 18 healthy lactating mothers were collected. A baseline macronutrient concentration was determined for each sample. Then, the breast milk samples were divided and stored in nine different commercial milk containers. After freezing at -20°C for 2 days, the milk samples were thawed and analyzed again. A midinfrared human milk analyzer (HMA) was used to measure the protein, fat, and carbohydrate contents. There was a significant decrease in the fat content following the storage, freezing, and thawing processes, ranging from 0.27-0.30 g/dL (p=0.02), but no significant decrease in energy content (p=0.069) was noted in the nine different containers. There were statistically significant increases in protein and carbohydrate concentrations in all containers (p=0.021 and 0.001, respectively), however there were no significant differences between the containers in terms of fat, protein, carbohydrate, or energy contents. Human milk, when subjected to storage, freezing, and thawing processes, demonstrated a significant decrease in fat content (up to 9% reduction) in various containers. It is better for infants to receive milk directly from the mother via breastfeeding. More studies are warranted to evaluate the effects of milk storage on infant growth and development. Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Transfer of Cadmium from Soil to Vegetable in the Pearl River Delta area, South China

PubMed Central

Zhang, Huihua; Chen, Junjian; Zhu, Li; Yang, Guoyi; Li, Dingqiang

2014-01-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the regional Cadmium (Cd) concentration levels in soils and in leaf vegetables across the Pearl River Delta (PRD) area; and reveal the transfer characteristics of Cadmium (Cd) from soils to leaf vegetable species on a regional scale. 170 paired vegetables and corresponding surface soil samples in the study area were collected for calculating the transfer factors of Cadmium (Cd) from soils to vegetables. This investigation revealed that in the study area Cd concentration in soils was lower (mean value 0.158 mg kg−1) compared with other countries or regions. The Cd-contaminated areas are mainly located in west areas of the Pearl River Delta. Cd concentrations in all vegetables were lower than the national standard of Safe vegetables (0.2 mg kg−1). 88% of vegetable samples met the standard of No-Polluted vegetables (0.05 mg kg−1). The Cd concentration in vegetables was mainly influenced by the interactions of total Cd concentration in soils, soil pH and vegetable species. The fit lines of soil-to-plant transfer factors and total Cd concentration in soils for various vegetable species were best described by the exponential equation (), and these fit lines can be divided into two parts, including the sharply decrease part with a large error range, and the slowly decrease part with a low error range, according to the gradual increasing of total Cd concentrations in soils. PMID:25247431

Transfer of cadmium from soil to vegetable in the Pearl River Delta area, South China.

PubMed

Zhang, Huihua; Chen, Junjian; Zhu, Li; Yang, Guoyi; Li, Dingqiang

2014-01-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the regional Cadmium (Cd) concentration levels in soils and in leaf vegetables across the Pearl River Delta (PRD) area; and reveal the transfer characteristics of Cadmium (Cd) from soils to leaf vegetable species on a regional scale. 170 paired vegetables and corresponding surface soil samples in the study area were collected for calculating the transfer factors of Cadmium (Cd) from soils to vegetables. This investigation revealed that in the study area Cd concentration in soils was lower (mean value 0.158 mg kg(-1)) compared with other countries or regions. The Cd-contaminated areas are mainly located in west areas of the Pearl River Delta. Cd concentrations in all vegetables were lower than the national standard of Safe vegetables (0.2 mg kg(-1)). 88% of vegetable samples met the standard of No-Polluted vegetables (0.05 mg kg(-1)). The Cd concentration in vegetables was mainly influenced by the interactions of total Cd concentration in soils, soil pH and vegetable species. The fit lines of soil-to-plant transfer factors and total Cd concentration in soils for various vegetable species were best described by the exponential equation (y = ax(b)), and these fit lines can be divided into two parts, including the sharply decrease part with a large error range, and the slowly decrease part with a low error range, according to the gradual increasing of total Cd concentrations in soils.

Dose estimation and dating of pottery from Turkey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Altay Atlıhan, M.; Şahiner, Eren; Soykal Alanyalı, Feriştah

2012-06-01

The luminescence method is a widely used technique for environmental dosimetry and dating archaeological, geological materials. In this study, equivalent dose (ED) and annual dose rate (AD) of an archaeological sample were measured. The age of the material was calculated by means of equivalent dose divided by the annual dose rate. The archaeological sample was taken from Antalya, Turkey. Samples were prepared by the fine grain technique and equivalent dose was found using multiple-aliquot-additive-dose (MAAD) and single aliquot regeneration (SAR) techniques. Also the short shine normalization-MAAD and long shine normalization-MAAD were applied and the results of the methods were compared with each other. The optimal preheat temperature was found to be 200 °C for 10 min. The annual doses of concentrations of the major radioactive isotopes were determined using a high-purity germanium detector and a low-level alpha counter. The age of the sample was found to be 510±40 years.

Questa baseline and pre-mining ground-water quality investigation. 2. Low-flow (2001) and snowmelt (2002) synoptic/tracer water chemistry for the Red River, New Mexico

USGS Publications Warehouse

McCleskey, R. Blaine; Nordstrom, D. Kirk; Steiger, Judy I.; Kimball, Briant A.; Verplanck, Philip L.

2003-01-01

Water analyses are reported for 259 samples collected from the Red River, New Mexico, and its tributaries during low-flow(2001) and spring snowmelt (2002) tracer studies. Water samples were collected along a 20-kilometer reach of the Red River beginning just east of the town of Red River and ending at the U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging station located east of Questa, New Mexico. The study area was divided into three sections where separate injections and synoptic sampling events were performed during the low-flow tracer study. During the spring snowmelt tracer study, three tracer injections and synoptic sampling events were performed bracketing the areas with the greatest metal loading into the Red River as determined from the low-flow tracer study. The lowflow tracer synoptic sampling events were August 17, 20, and 24, 2001. The synoptic sampling events for the spring snowmelt tracer were March 30, 31, and April 1, 2002. Stream and large inflow water samples were sampled using equal-width and depth-integrated sampling methods and composited into half-gallon bottles. Grab water samples were collected from smaller inflows. Stream temperatures were measured at the time of sample collection. Samples were transported to a nearby central processing location where pH and specific conductance were measured and the samples processed for chemical analyses. Cations, trace metals, iron redox species, and fluoride were analyzed at the U.S. Geological Survey laboratory in Boulder, Colorado. Cations and trace metal concentrations were determined using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Arsenic concentrations were determined using hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry, iron redox species were measured using ultraviolet-visible spectrometry, and fluoride concentrations were determined using an ion-selective electrode. Alkalinity was measured by automated titration, and sulfate, chloride, and bromide were analyzed by ion chromatography at the U.S. Geological Survey laboratory in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Height-resolved large-sample INAA of a 1 m long, 13 cm diameter ditch-bottom sample

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blaauw, M.; Baas, H. W.; Donze, M.

2003-06-01

A facility for instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) of large samples (up to 1 m long and 15 cm diameter) has been built. Correction methods for the simultaneous occurrence of neutron self-shielding and gamma-ray self-attenuation effects have been implemented and tested with a variety of samples. Now, the method has been extended to allow for the interpretation of scanned, collimated measurements, where results are obtained for individual voxels. As a validation and demonstration, a ditch-bottom sample of the maximum size was taken in a frozen condition. It was cut in 2 cm slices, still frozen, and put together again with each slice in a 2 cm height Petri dish divided in three sections. This allowed for verification of the results by ordinary INAA. Possible explanations for the discrepancies we observed between ordinary and large-sample INAA in the region where the concentration gradients are the steepest are discussed.

Radon exhalation rates from building materials using electret ion chamber radon monitors in accumulators.

PubMed

Kotrappa, Payasada; Stieff, Frederick

2009-08-01

An electret ion chamber (EIC) radon monitor in a sealed accumulator measures the integrated average radon concentration at the end of the accumulation duration. Theoretical equations have been derived to relate such radon concentrations (Bq m(-3) ) to the radon emanation rate (Bq d(-1)) from building materials enclosed in the accumulator. As an illustration, a 4-L sealable glass jar has been used as an accumulator to calculate the radon emanation rate from different granite samples. The radon emanation rate was converted into radon flux (Bq mm(-2) d(-1)) by dividing the emanation rate by surface area of the sample. Fluxes measured on typical, commercially available granites ranged from 20-30 Bq m(-2) d(-1). These results are similar to the results reported in the literature. The lower limit of detection for a 2-d measurement works out to be 7 Bq m(-2) d(-1). Equations derived can also be used for other sealable accumulators and other integrating detectors, such as alpha track detectors.

Study of the newborn feeding behaviors and fentanyl concentration in colostrum after an analgesic dose of epidural and intravenous fentanyl in cesarean section.

PubMed

Goma, Hala M; Said, Reem N; El-Ela, Amr M

2008-05-01

To compare the effects of epidural and intravenous fentanyl on breast feeding behaviors and fentanyl concentration in the colostrum after an analgesic dose. This study was conducted at the Obstetrics Department of Kasr El-Aini Hospital-Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. The studied mothers were 100 multipara, who have been subjected to cesarean section, and have a previous history of successful breast feeding. The study was conducted from May 2005 to May 2007. They were divided into 2 groups: group I included 50 patients who received epidural anesthesia with fentanyl, and group II included 50 patients who received spinal anesthesia with intravenous fentanyl, and both groups were observed for initial breast feeding behaviors of newborns, and fentanyl concentration in the colostrum at 45 minutes, and 24 hours after birth. The study included 100 multipara, 2 samples of colostrum were taken from each patients at 45 minutes, and at 24 hours. The levels of fentanyl concentration were greatest at 45 minutes of the initial sampling time, reaching 0.40+/-0.059 ng/ml in the epidural group, and 0.19+/-0.019 ng/ml in intravenous fentanyl group. There was no statistical difference in breast feeding behaviors at birth, or at 24 hours of age in both groups. Although the levels of fentanyl concentration were greatest at 45 minutes of the initial sampling time, it can be used safely as intravenous or epidural without affecting the initial breast feeding behaviors of the newborn.

Relationship between halitosis and periodontal disease - associated oral bacteria in tongue coatings.

PubMed

Amou, T; Hinode, D; Yoshioka, M; Grenier, D

2014-05-01

The objective of our study was to investigate the relationship between halitosis and oral bacteria in tongue coating (TC) and saliva samples from patients with halitosis, and to evaluate the effect of tongue cleaning on halitosis. Ninety-four participants complaining of oral malodour were included in the study. Organoleptic (OR) values, volatile sulphur compound (VSC) concentrations determined by gas chromatography and TC scores were used as clinical parameters of halitosis. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reactions were used to determine the numbers of periodontal disease-associated oral bacteria. There was a significant correlation between TC scores and OR values, methylmercaptan (CH3 SH) concentrations and VSC concentrations (Spearman's rank-correlation coefficient test, P < 0.01). There was also a positive correlation between the clinical parameters of halitosis and total bacterial numbers and Prevotella intermedia, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Campylobacter rectus concentrations in the TC samples. However, there was no similar correlation with respect to the saliva samples. The participants were sub-divided into two groups based on whether they had the habit of tongue cleaning or not. The participants with the habit of tongue cleaning had significantly lower OR scores, VSC concentrations and P. intermedia, F. nucleatum and C. rectus levels than the other participants (Mann-Whitney U-test, P < 0.05). These results suggested that periodontal disease-associated oral bacteria in TCs are closely related to halitosis and that tongue cleaning may be an effective method for improving halitosis. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Quantifying Surface Water, Porewater, and Groundwater Interactions Using Tracers: Tracer Fluxes, Water Fluxes, and End-member Concentrations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cook, Peter G.; Rodellas, Valentí; Stieglitz, Thomas C.

2018-03-01

Tracer approaches to estimate both porewater exchange (the cycling of water between surface water and sediments, with zero net water flux) and groundwater inflow (the net flow of terrestrially derived groundwater into surface water) are commonly based on solute mass balances. However, this requires appropriate characterization of tracer end-member concentrations in exchanging or discharging water. Where either porewater exchange or groundwater inflow to surface water occur in isolation, then the water flux is easily estimated from the net tracer flux if the end-member is appropriately chosen. However, in most natural systems porewater exchange and groundwater inflow will occur concurrently. Our analysis shows that if groundwater inflow (Qg) and porewater exchange (Qp) mix completely before discharging to surface water, then the combined water flux (Qg + Qp) can be approximated by dividing the combined tracer flux by the difference between the porewater and surface water concentrations, (cp - c). If Qg and Qp do not mix prior to discharge, then (Qg + Qp) can only be constrained by minimum and maximum values. The minimum value is obtained by dividing the net tracer flux by the groundwater concentration, and the maximum is obtained by dividing by (cp - c). Dividing by the groundwater concentration gives a maximum value for Qg. If porewater exchange and groundwater outflow occur concurrently, then dividing the net tracer flux by (cp - c) will provide a minimum value for Qp. Use of multiple tracers, and spatial and temporal replication should provide a more complete picture of exchange processes and the extent of subsurface mixing.

Efficient purification and concentration of viruses from a large body of high turbidity seawater.

PubMed

Sun, Guowei; Xiao, Jinzhou; Wang, Hongming; Gong, Chaowen; Pan, Yingjie; Yan, Shuling; Wang, Yongjie

2014-01-01

Marine viruses are the most abundant entities in the ocean and play crucial roles in the marine ecological system. However, understanding of viral diversity on large scale depends on efficient and reliable viral purification and concentration techniques. Here, we report on developing an efficient method to purify and concentrate viruses from large body of high turbidity seawater. The developed method characterizes with high viral recovery efficiency, high concentration factor, high viral particle densities and high-throughput, and is reliable for viral concentration from high turbidity seawater. Recovered viral particles were used directly for subsequent analysis by epifluorescence microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and metagenomic sequencing. Three points are essential for this method:•The sampled seawater (>150 L) was initially divided into two parts, water fraction and settled matter fraction, after natural sedimentation.•Both viruses in the water fraction concentrated by tangential flow filtration (TFF) and viruses isolated from the settled matter fraction were considered as the whole viral community in high turbidity seawater.•The viral concentrates were re-concentrated by using centrifugal filter device in order to obtain high density of viral particles.

Current Mercury Exposure from Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Bombana, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia-Future Significant Health Risks.

PubMed

Sakakibara, Masayuki; Sera, Koichiro

2017-02-08

The rapid expansion of the artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) industry in developing countries has marginalized the local communities in poverty, and resulted in occupational exposure to mercury via the gold extraction process. We investigated the mercury exposure of the mining workers lived inside and outside the mining area. Based on the occupations of the contributors, the hair samples were divided into three subgroups: directly exposed, indirectly exposed, and a control. A total of 81 hair samples were analyzed by particle-induced X-ray emission spectrometry. The median mercury concentration was highest in the hair from the directly exposed group (12.82 μg/g hair) (control group median: 4.8 μg/g hair, p < 0.05), and the concentrations in hair from 45 respondents exceeded the Human Biomonitoring I (HBM I) threshold limit. Mercury concentrations were also elevated in the hair from the indirectly exposed group (median 7.64 μg/g hair, p < 0.05), and concentrations in hair from 24 respondents exceeded the HBM I threshold limits. Exposure to mercury during ASGM presents health risks and is harmful for the miners; mercury is also at hazardous levels for people who live in the mining area but who are not engaged in mercury-based gold extraction.

Refrigerator storage of expressed human milk in the neonatal intensive care unit.

PubMed

Slutzah, Meredith; Codipilly, Champa N; Potak, Debra; Clark, Richard M; Schanler, Richard J

2010-01-01

To provide recommendations for refrigerator storage of human milk, the overall integrity (bacterial growth, cell counts, and component concentrations) of milk was examined during 96 hours of storage at 4 degrees C. Fresh milk samples (n = 36) were divided and stored at 4 degrees C for 0, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours. At each time, pH, white cell count, and osmolality were measured and additional samples were stored at -80 degrees C until analyzed for bacteria and concentrations of lactoferrin, secretory (s)IgA, fat, fatty acids, and protein. There were no significant changes for osmolality, total and Gram-negative bacterial colony counts or concentrations of sIgA, lactoferrin, and fat. Gram-positive colony counts (2.9 to 1.6 x 10(5) colony-forming units per mL), pH (7.21 to 6.68), white blood cell counts (2.31 to 1.85 x 10(6) cells per mL), and total protein (17.5 to 16.7 g/L) declined, and free fatty acid concentrations increased (0.35 to 1.28 g/L) as storage duration increased, P < .001. Changes were minimal and the overall integrity of milk during refrigerator storage was preserved. Fresh mother's milk may be stored at refrigerator temperature for as long as 96 hours.

Locally harvested foods support serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D sufficiency in an indigenous population of Western Alaska.

PubMed

Luick, Bret; Bersamin, Andrea; Stern, Judith S

2014-01-01

Low serum vitamin D is associated with higher latitude, age, body fat percentage and low intake of fatty fish. Little documentation of vitamin D concentrations is available for Alaska Native populations. This study was undertaken to investigate serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations of the Yup'ik people of southwestern Alaska in relation to demographic and lifestyle variables, particularly with the use of locally harvested (local) foods. Cross-sectional study. We estimated 25(OH)D, dietary vitamin D and calcium, percent of energy from local foods and demographic variables in 497 Yup'ik people (43% males) aged 14-92 residing in southwestern Alaska. Sampling was approximately equally divided between synthesizing and non-synthesizing seasons, although the preponderance of samples were drawn during months of increasing daylight. Mean vitamin D intake was 15.1 ± 20.2 µg/d, while local foods accounted for 22.9 ± 17.1% of energy intake. The leading sources of vitamin D were local fish (90.1%) followed by market foods. Mean 25(OH)D concentration was 95.6 ± 40.7 nmol/L. Participants in the upper 50th percentile of 25(OH)D concentration tended to be older, male, of lower body mass index, sampled during the synthesizing season, and among the upper 50th percentile of local food use. A shift away from locally harvested foods will likely increase the risk for serum 25(OH)D insufficiency in this population.

Calculating the refractive index for pediatric parenteral nutrient solutions.

PubMed

Nelson, Scott; Barrows, Jason; Haftmann, Richard; Helm, Michael; MacKay, Mark

2013-02-15

The utility of refractometric analysis for calculating the refractive index (RI) of compounded parenteral nutrient solutions for pediatric patients was examined. An equation for calculating the RI of parenteral nutrient solutions was developed by chemical and linear regression analysis of 154 pediatric parenteral nutrient solutions. This equation was then validated by analyzing 1057 pediatric parenteral nutrition samples. The RI for the parenteral nutrient solutions could be calculated by summing the RI contribution for each ingredient and then adding the RI of water. The RI contribution for each ingredient was determined by multiplying the RI of the manufacturer's concentrate by the volume of the manufacturer's concentrate mixed into the parenteral nutrient solution divided by the total volume of the parenteral nutrient solution. The calculated RI was highly correlated with the measured RI (R(2) = 0.94, p < 0.0001). Using a range of two standard deviations (±0.0045), 99.8% of the samples fell into the comparative range. RIs of electrolytes, vitamins, and trace elements in the concentrations used did not affect the RI, similar to the findings of other studies. There was no statistical difference between the calculated RI and the measured RI in the final product of a pediatric parenteral nutrient solution. This method of quality control can be used by personnel compounding parenteral nutrient solutions to confirm the compounding accuracy of dextrose and amino acid concentrations in the final product, and a sample can be sent to the hospital laboratory for electrolyte verification.

Chronic Effects of Fusarium Mycotoxins in Rations with or without Increased Concentrate Proportion on the Insulin Sensitivity in Lactating Dairy Cows

PubMed Central

Kinoshita, Asako; Keese, Christina; Meyer, Ulrich; Starke, Alexander; Wrenzycki, Christine; Dänicke, Sven

2018-01-01

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of long-term exposure to a Fusarium toxin deoxynivalenol (DON, 5 mg/kg DM) on the energy metabolism in lactating cows fed diets with different amounts of concentrate. In Period 1 27 German Holstein cows were assigned to two groups and fed a control or mycotoxin-contaminated diet with 50% concentrate for 11 weeks. In Period 2 each group was further divided and fed either a diet containing 30% or 60% concentrate for 16 weeks. Blood samples were collected in week 0, 4, 8, 15, 21, and 27 for calculation of the Revised Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index and biopsy samples of skeletal muscle and the liver in w 0, 15, and 27 for analysis by real-time RT-qPCR. The DON-fed groups presented lower insulin sensitivities than controls at week 27. Concomitantly, muscular mRNA expression of insulin receptors and hepatic mRNA expression of glucose transporter 2 and key enzymes for gluconeogenesis and fatty acid metabolism were lower in DON-fed cows compared to the control. The study revealed no consistent evidence that DON effects were modified by dietary concentrate levels. In conclusion, long-term dietary DON intake appears to have mild effects on energy metabolism in lactating dairy cows. PMID:29738450

The relationship between salivary histatin levels and oral yeast carriage.

PubMed

Jainkittivong, A; Johnson, D A; Yeh, C K

1998-06-01

Candida species are common commensal inhabitants of the oral cavity. Human saliva contains antifungal proteins called histatins. We tested the hypothesis that oral yeast status is related to salivary histatin levels. Thirty subjects were divided into two groups based on the presence (n = 15) or absence (n = 15) of yeast on oral mucosa surfaces. Unstimulated and stimulated submandibular and sublingual and parotid saliva was collected from each subject. Salivary flow rates were measured and histatin concentrations were determined in the stimulated saliva samples. The yeast colony positive group showed lower median unstimulated parotid saliva flow rates as well as lower median concentrations of total histatins in submandibular and sublingual saliva. There was a negative correlation between yeast colony-forming units and unstimulated parotid saliva flow rates and between yeast colony-forming units and submandibular and sublingual saliva histatin concentration and secretion. The results suggest that oral yeast status may be influenced by unstimulated parotid saliva flow rates and by submandibular and sublingual histatin concentration and secretion.

Ground and surface water quality along a dambo transect in Chihota smallholder farming area, Marondera district, Zimbabwe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wuta, M.; Nyamadzawo, G.; Mlambo, J.; Nyamugafata, P.

2016-04-01

In many smallholder farms in sub-Saharan Africa dambos are used for grazing and crop production especially horticultural crops. Increased use of dambos especially for crop production can result in ground and surface water pollution. Ground and surface water quality along a dambo transect in Chihota, Zimbabwe, was investigated between October 2013 and February 2014. The transect was divided into; upland (control), dambo gardens (mid-slope) and the river (valley bottom). Water samples for quality assessment were collected in October 2013 (peak of dry season) and February 2014 (peak of rainy season). The collected water samples were analysed for pH, faecal coliforms, total nitrogen, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), and some selected nutrients (P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, and Cu). Water pH was 7.0, 6.4 and 6.1 for river water, garden and upland wells respectively. During the wet season total nitrogen (TN) concentrations were 233 mg/L for uplands, 242 mg/L for gardens and 141 mg/L for the river. During the dry season, TN concentrations were all below 20 mg/L, and were not significantly different among sampling stations along the dambo transect. Dry season faecal coliform units (fcu) were significantly different and were 37.2, 30.0 and 5.0 for upland wells, garden wells and river respectively. Wet season faecal coliforms were also significantly different and were 428.5, 258.0 and 479.4 fcu for upland wells, garden wells and river respectively. The other measured physico-chemical parameters also varied with sampling position along the transect. It was concluded that TN and fcu in sampled water varied with season and that wet season concentrations were significantly higher than dry season concentrations. High concentrations of faecal coliforms and total N during the wet season was attributed to increased water movement. Water from upland wells, garden wells and river was not suitable for human consumption according to WHO standards during both the dry and wet seasons.

Predicting ambient aerosol Thermal Optical Reflectance (TOR) measurements from infrared spectra: organic carbon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dillner, A. M.; Takahama, S.

2014-11-01

Organic carbon (OC) can constitute 50% or more of the mass of atmospheric particulate matter. Typically, the organic carbon concentration is measured using thermal methods such as Thermal-Optical Reflectance (TOR) from quartz fiber filters. Here, methods are presented whereby Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) absorbance spectra from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE or Teflon) filters are used to accurately predict TOR OC. Transmittance FT-IR analysis is rapid, inexpensive, and non-destructive to the PTFE filters. To develop and test the method, FT-IR absorbance spectra are obtained from 794 samples from seven Interagency Monitoring of PROtected Visual Environment (IMPROVE) sites sampled during 2011. Partial least squares regression is used to calibrate sample FT-IR absorbance spectra to artifact-corrected TOR OC. The FTIR spectra are divided into calibration and test sets by sampling site and date which leads to precise and accurate OC predictions by FT-IR as indicated by high coefficient of determination (R2; 0.96), low bias (0.02 μg m-3, all μg m-3 values based on the nominal IMPROVE sample volume of 32.8 m-3), low error (0.08 μg m-3) and low normalized error (11%). These performance metrics can be achieved with various degrees of spectral pretreatment (e.g., including or excluding substrate contributions to the absorbances) and are comparable in precision and accuracy to collocated TOR measurements. FT-IR spectra are also divided into calibration and test sets by OC mass and by OM / OC which reflects the organic composition of the particulate matter and is obtained from organic functional group composition; this division also leads to precise and accurate OC predictions. Low OC concentrations have higher bias and normalized error due to TOR analytical errors and artifact correction errors, not due to the range of OC mass of the samples in the calibration set. However, samples with low OC mass can be used to predict samples with high OC mass indicating that the calibration is linear. Using samples in the calibration set that have a different OM / OC or ammonium / OC distributions than the test set leads to only a modest increase in bias and normalized error in the predicted samples. We conclude that FT-IR analysis with partial least squares regression is a robust method for accurately predicting TOR OC in IMPROVE network samples; providing complementary information to the organic functional group composition and organic aerosol mass estimated previously from the same set of sample spectra (Ruthenburg et al., 2014).

The effect of carbon dioxide on the shelf life of ready-to-eat shredded chicken breast stored under refrigeration.

PubMed

Rodriguez, M B R; Junior, C A Conte; Carneiro, C S; Franco, R M; Mano, S B

2014-01-01

The objective of the present study was to determine the shelf life of ready-to-eat cooked chicken breast fillets (shredded) stored in atmospheres that were modified with different concentrations of CO2 and to establish a relationship between the concentration of this gas and bacterial growth. The samples were divided into 7 groups with different packaging conditions: aerobiosis, vacuum, and 10, 30, 50, 70, and 90% CO2 (with the remaining volume filled with N2). All of the samples were stored at 4 ± 2°C for 28 d. During this period, pH tests and counts of aerobic heterotrophic mesophyll bacteria (AHMB), aerobic heterotrophic psychotropic bacteria (AHPB), Enterobacteriaceae, and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were performed, and the gas compositions of the packaging atmospheres were verified. The pH of the aerobic packages increased during storage. However, the other treatments resulted in the opposite trend, with the CO2 concentration decreasing over the first 24 h and then remaining constant until the end of experiment. A gradual increase in the AHMB, AHPB, Enterobacteriaceae, and LAB counts was observed during storage; this increase was faster in the meat that was packed under aerobiosis conditions than in the other treatments. The treatments with a CO2 concentration above 10% exhibited lower Enterobacteriaceae growth, whereas LAB growth was discrete in all of the treatments, independent of the CO2 concentration. The shelf life of the samples packed with 90% CO2 was 28 d. Based on the AHMB and AHPB counts, the shelf life was 3 times longer than for the samples packed under aerobiosis conditions (9 d). The increased package CO2 concentration caused a reduction in the growth rate of the examined bacteria (r = 0.99), and treatment with 90% CO2 appears promising as a method with which to increase the product's shelf life.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils from the Tibetan Plateau, China: distribution and influence of environmental factors.

PubMed

Wang, Shuang; Ni, Hong-Gang; Sun, Jian-Lin; Jing, Xin; He, Jin-Sheng; Zeng, Hui

2013-03-01

Thirty four sampling sites along an elevation transect in the Tibetan Plateau region were chosen. Soil cores were divided into several layers and a total of 175 horizon soil samples were collected from July to September 2011, for determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The measured PAHs concentration in surface soils was 56.26 ± 45.84 ng g(-1), and the low molecular weight PAHs (2-3 rings) predominated, accounting for 48% and 35%. We analyzed the spatial (altitudinal and vertical) distribution of PAHs in soil, and explored the influence of related environmental factors. Total organic carbon (TOC) showed a controlling influence on the distribution of PAHs. PAH concentrations declined with soil depth, and the composition patterns of PAHs along soil depth indicated that the heavy PAHs tended to remain in the upper layers (0-10 cm), while the light fractions were transported downward more easily. PAHs inventories (8.77-57.92 mg m(-2)) for soil cores increased with mean annual precipitation, while the topsoil concentrations decreased with it. This implies that an increase in precipitation could transfer more PAHs from the atmosphere to the soil and further transport PAHs from the topsoil to deeper layers.

Multivariate prediction of odor from pig production based on in-situ measurement of odorants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hansen, Michael J.; Jonassen, Kristoffer E. N.; Løkke, Mette Marie; Adamsen, Anders Peter S.; Feilberg, Anders

2016-06-01

The aim of the present study was to estimate a prediction model for odor from pig production facilities based on measurements of odorants by Proton-Transfer-Reaction Mass spectrometry (PTR-MS). Odor measurements were performed at four different pig production facilities with and without odor abatement technologies using a newly developed mobile odor laboratory equipped with a PTR-MS for measuring odorants and an olfactometer for measuring the odor concentration by human panelists. A total of 115 odor measurements were carried out in the mobile laboratory and simultaneously air samples were collected in Nalophan bags and analyzed at accredited laboratories after 24 h. The dataset was divided into a calibration dataset containing 94 samples and a validation dataset containing 21 samples. The prediction model based on the measurements in the mobile laboratory was able to explain 74% of the variation in the odor concentration based on odorants, whereas the prediction models based on odor measurements with bag samples explained only 46-57%. This study is the first application of direct field olfactometry to livestock odor and emphasizes the importance of avoiding any bias from sample storage in studies of odor-odorant relationships. Application of the model on the validation dataset gave a high correlation between predicted and measured odor concentration (R2 = 0.77). Significant odorants in the prediction models include phenols and indoles. In conclusion, measurements of odorants on-site in pig production facilities is an alternative to dynamic olfactometry that can be applied for measuring odor from pig houses and the effects of odor abatement technologies.

Structural and magnetic characterization of the "GASPAR" meteorite from Betéitiva, Boyacá, Colombia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flor Torres, L. M.; Pérez Alcazar, G. A.

2014-01-01

A structural and magnetic characterization has been performed of a plate obtained from the "Gaspar" meteorite from the Otengá region of the Betéitiva municipality, Boyacá, Colombia. The sample was provided by Ingeominas (Colombian Geological Agency). After the studies the sample was classified as an octahedral iron meteorite, due the Fe and Ni concentrations and the Widmanstätten pattern which was observed on the surface of the sample. The plate shows a crack which divides the sample in two regions (side A and B, respectively). Both sides were studied using techniques like X-rays diffraction (XRD), Mössbauer spectrometry, optical microscopy, and scanning electronic microscopy (with EDAX). On both sides an iron Fe-Ni matrix (kamacite) was found; a large quantity of carbon in the form of graphite and in two types: nodular and laminar; and different preferential orientation in both sides of the sample. The studies permit to prove that Gaspar is a fragment of the registered Santa Rosa de Viterbo meteorite.

The contribution of wetlands to stream nitrogen load in the Loch Vale Watershed, Colorado, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Jian-hui, Huang; Baron, Jill S.; Binkley, Dan

1996-01-01

We explored the difference between the concentrations of different N forms and other chemical properties between stream water and riparian zone wetland soil water in the Loch Vale Watershed which is located on the eastern slope of the Continental Divide in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA. The nitrate N concentration in stream water were significantly higher than in soil water of the three wetlands, while no significant difference appeared in ammonium N. The pH values were higher and conductivity values were lower in stream water than in wetland soil water. However, significant difference also appeared between nitrate N concentrations, pH and conductivity values in the water sampled from different positions of streams. The stream tributary water had higher nitrate N concentrations, higher pH and higher conducitity values. We also conducted experiments to compare the difference between the productivity, total N concentrations in biomass and soil of upper layers. At the end, we concluded that the wetlands distributed along the streams in Loch Vale Watershed had little effect on the nitrogen load of the stream water there.

[Determination of minimal concentrations of biocorrosion inhibitors by a bioluminescence method in relation to bacteria, participating in biocorrosion].

PubMed

Efremenko, E N; Azizov, R E; Makhlis, T A; Abbasov, V M; Varfolomeev, S D

2005-01-01

By using a bioluminescence ATP assay, we have determined the minimal concentrations of some biocorrosion inhibitors (Katon, Khazar, VFIKS-82, Nitro-1, Kaspii-2, and Kaspii-4) suppressing most common microbial corrosion agents: Desulfovibrio desulfuricans, Desulfovibrio vulgaris, Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. The cell titers determined by the bioluminescence method, including not only dividing cells but also their dormant living counterparts, are two- to sixfold greater than the values determined microbiologically. It is shown that the bioluminescence method can be applied to determination of cell titers in samples of oil-field waters in the presence of iron ions (up to 260 mM) and iron sulfide (to 186 mg/l) and in the absence or presence of biocidal corrosion inhibitors.

Contamination of soil and the medicinal plant Phyllanthus niruri Linn. with cadmium in ceramic industrial areas.

PubMed

Santos, Vanessa Santana Vieira; Arantes, Karen Magalhães; Gonçalves, Ester Luiza; Campos, Carlos Fernando; de Campos Júnior, Edimar Olegário; de Oliveira, Antônio Marcos Machado; Pereira, Boscolli Barbosa

2018-04-22

Phyllanthus niruri is a plant that is used to prevent calcium oxalate crystallisation and to block the stone formation in urolithiasis. Contaminants in the environment can be readily taken up by medicinal plants due to their ability to absorb chemicals into their tissues. If contaminated plants are ingested, they have the potential to negatively affect human and environmental health. The aim of this study was to assess contamination in the soil and the medicinal plant P. niruri by cadmium (Cd) in ceramic industrial areas of Monte Carmelo, Brazil. Soil samples and plant samples (divided in root, shoot and leaves) were collected from a contaminated monitoring site and from a rural area (which was used as a reference site for comparative purposes). The Cd concentrations of the samples were analysed with an atomic absorption spectrometer. P. niruri was found to be sensitive to soil contamination by Cd that was attributed to ceramic industrial emissions. The results revealed that Cd bioaccumulation in the roots and shoots of P. niruri was associated with a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the concentration of active lignan compounds (phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin) in the leaves. The identification of high concentrations of Cd and active lignan compounds suggests a risk of contamination of the site and the risk of a high dose of Cd to people exposed at the site.

Fatty acid methyl esters are detectable in the plasma and their presence correlates with liver dysfunction.

PubMed

Aleryani, Samir Lutf; Cluette-Brown, Joanne E; Khan, Zia A; Hasaba, Hasan; Lopez de Heredia, Luis; Laposata, Michael

2005-09-01

Methanol is a component of certain alcoholic beverages and is also an endogenously formed product. On this basis, we have proposed that methanol may promote synthesis of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) in the same way that ethanol promotes fatty acid ethyl ester (FAEE) synthesis. We tested the hypothesis that FAMEs appear in the blood after ethanol intake. Patient plasma samples obtained from our laboratory (n=78) were grouped according to blood ethanol concentrations (intoxicated, blood ethanol >800 mg/l) and non-intoxicated. These samples were further subdivided into groups based on whether the patient had normal or abnormal liver function tests (abnormal, defined as > or =1 abnormality of plasma alanine and aspartate aminotransferase, albumin, total bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase). A separate set of plasma samples were also divided into normal and abnormal groups based on pancreatic function tests (amylase and lipase). There were no patients with detectable ethanol in this group. Patients with abnormalities in pancreatic function tests were included upon recognition of endogenously produced FAMEs by patients with liver function test abnormalities. FAMEs were extracted from plasma and individual species of FAMEs quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Increased concentrations of FAME were found in patient samples with evidence of liver dysfunction, regardless of whether or not they were intoxicated (n=21, p=0.01). No significant differences in plasma FAME concentrations were found between patients with normal (n=15) versus abnormal pancreatic function tests (n=22, p=0.72). The presence of FAMEs in human plasma may be related to the existence of liver disease, and not to blood ethanol concentrations or pancreatic dysfunction. The metabolic pathways associated with FAME production in patients with impaired liver function remain to be identified.

Heavy metals in wild rice from northern Wisconsin

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bennett, J.P.; Chiriboga, E.; Coleman, J.; Waller, D.M.

2000-01-01

Wild rice grain samples from various parts of the world have been found to have elevated concentrations of heavy metals, raising concern for potential effects on human health. It was hypothesized that wild rice from north-central Wisconsin could potentially have elevated concentrations of some heavy metals because of possible exposure to these elements from the atmosphere or from water and sediments. In addition, no studies of heavy metals in wild rice from Wisconsin had been performed, and a baseline study was needed for future comparisons. Wild rice plants were collected from four areas in Bayfield, Forest, Langlade, Oneida, Sawyer and Wood Counties in September, 1997 and 1998 and divided into four plant parts for elemental analyses: roots, stems, leaves and seeds. A total of 194 samples from 51 plants were analyzed across the localities, with an average of 49 samples per part depending on the element. Samples were cleaned of soil, wet digested, and analyzed by ICP for Ag, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mg, Pb, Se and Zn. Roots contained the highest concentrations of Ag, As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Pb, and Se. Copper was highest in both roots and seeds, while Zn was highest just in seeds. Magnesium was highest in leaves. Seed baseline ranges for the 10 elements were established using the 95% confidence intervals of the medians. Wild rice plants from northern Wisconsin had normal levels of the nutritional elements Cu, Mg and Zn in the seeds. Silver, Cd, Hg, Cr, and Se were very low in concentration or within normal limits for food plants. Arsenic and Pb, however, were elevated and could pose a problem for human health. The pathway for As, Hg and Pb to the plants could be atmospheric.

A method for estimating the relative degree of saponification of xanthophyll sources and feedstuffs.

PubMed

Fletcher, D L

2006-05-01

Saponification of xanthophyll esters in various feed sources has been shown to improve pigmentation efficiency in broiler skin and egg yolks. Three trials were conducted to evaluate a rapid liquid chromatography procedure for estimating the relative degree of xanthophyll saponification using samples of yellow corn, corn gluten meal, alfalfa, and 6 commercially available marigold meal concentrates. In each trial, samples were extracted using a modification of the 1984 Association of Official Analytical Chemists hot saponification procedure with and without the addition of KOH. A comparison of the chromatography results was used to estimate percent saponification of the original sample by dividing the nonsaponified extraction values by the saponified extraction values. A comparison of the percent saponified xanthophylls for each product (mg/kg) was: yellow corn, 101; corn gluten meal, 78; alfalfa, 97.9; and marigold concentrates A through F, 99.8, 4.6, 99.0, 95.6, 96.8, and 6.6, respectively. These results indicate that a modification of the 1984 Association of Official Analytical Chemists procedure and liquid column chromatography can be used to quickly verify saponification and can be used to estimate the relative degree of saponification of an unknown xanthophyll source.

Concentrations of trace elements and iron in the Arctic soils of Belyi Island (the Kara Sea, Russia): patterns of variation across landscapes.

PubMed

Moskovchenko, D V; Kurchatova, A N; Fefilov, N N; Yurtaev, A A

2017-05-01

The concentrations of several trace elements and iron were determined in 26 soil samples from Belyi Island in the Kara Sea (West Siberian sector of Russian Arctic). The major types of soils predominating in the soil cover were sampled. The concentrations of trace elements (mg kg -1 ) varied within the following ranges: 119-561 for Mn, 9.5-126 for Zn, 0.082-2.5 for Cd, <0.5-19.2 for Cu, <0.5-132 for Pb, 0.011-0.081 for Hg, <0.5-10.3 for Co, and 7.6-108 for Cr; the concentration of Fe varied from 3943 to 37,899 mg kg -1 . The impact of particular soil properties (pH, carbon and nitrogen contents, particle-size distribution) on metal concentrations was analyzed by the methods of correlation, cluster, and factor analyses. The correlation analysis showed that metal concentrations are negatively correlated with the sand content and positively correlated with the contents of silt and clay fractions. The cluster analysis allowed separation of the soils into three clusters. Cluster I included the soils with the high organic matter content formed under conditions of poor drainage; cluster II, the low-humus sandy soils of the divides and slopes; and cluster III, saline soils of coastal marshes. It was concluded that the geomorphic position largely controls the soil properties. The obtained data were compared with data on metal concentrations in other regions of the Russian Arctic. In general, the concentrations of trace elements in the studied soils were within the ranges typical of the background Arctic territories. However, some soils of Belyi Island contained elevated concentrations of Pb and Cd.

Significant decreases in blood propofol concentrations during adrenalectomy for phaeochromocytoma.

PubMed

Watanabe, Tatsunori; Hiraoka, Haruhiko; Araki, Takuya; Nagano, Daisuke; Aomori, Tohru; Nakamura, Tomonori; Yamamoto, Koujirou; Baba, Hiroshi

2017-10-01

The kinetics of propofol are influenced by cardiac output. The aim of this study was to examine changes in blood propofol concentrations during phaeochromocytoma surgery using target-controlled infusion (TCI) anaesthesia with propofol. This is a prospective observational study. Ten patients with phaeochromocytoma who underwent unilateral adrenalectomy were included. Cardiac output was measured using an arterial pressure-based cardiac output analysis method. The target blood propofol concentrations were adjusted to maintain an approximate bispectral index (BIS) value of 40 before initiating surgery. The settings remained constant during surgery. Blood samples for propofol concentrations were collected from the radial artery at seven time points: two before tumour manipulation (T1, 2), two during tumour manipulation (T3, 4), and three after tumour vein ligation (T4-7). BIS values, the arterial pressure cardiac index (APCI) and haemodynamic parameters were measured at the same time points as the blood samples. The prop-ratio was calculated by dividing blood propofol concentrations by target concentrations of TCI. APCI increased during tumour manipulation and after tumour vein ligation. The prop-ratio was reduced significantly by approximately 40% and showed a significant negative correlation with APCI. BIS values increased significantly and showed a significant negative correlation with the prop-ratio. The increased APCI during tumour manipulation and after tumour vein ligation was associated with markedly reduced blood propofol concentrations. These results reveal that significant decreases in the anaesthetic effect may be observed in patients undergoing phaeochromocytoma surgery even if TCI anaesthesia is used with propofol. © 2017 The British Pharmacological Society.

The comparison of assessment of pigeon semen motility and sperm concentration by conventional methods and the CASA system (HTM IVOS).

PubMed

Klimowicz, M D; Nizanski, W; Batkowski, F; Savic, M A

2008-07-01

The aim of these experiments was to compare conventional, microscopic methods of evaluating pigeon sperm motility and concentration to those measured by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA system). Semen was collected twice a week from two groups of pigeons, each of 40 males (group I: meat-type breed; group II: fancy pigeon) using the lumbo-sacral and cloacal region massage method. Ejaculates collected in each group were diluted 1:100 in BPSE solution and divided into two equal samples. One sample was examined subjectively by microscope and the second one was analysed using CASA system. The sperm concentration was measured by CASA using the anti-collision (AC) system and fluorescent staining (IDENT). There were not any significant differences between the methods of evaluation of sperm concentration. High positive correlations in both groups were observed between the sperm concentration estimated by Thom counting chamber and AC (r=0.87 and r=0.91, respectively), and between the sperm concentration evaluated by Thom counting chamber and IDENT (r=0.85 and r=0.90, respectively). The mean values for CASA measurement of proportion of motile spermatozoa (MOT) and progressive movement (PMOT) were significantly lower than the values estimated subjectively in both groups of pigeons (p< or =0.05 and p< or =0.01, respectively). Positive correlations in MOT and PMOT were noted between both methods of evaluation. The CASA system is very rapid, objective and sensitive method in detecting subtle motility characteristics as well as sperm concentration and is recommended for future research into pigeon semen.

The effect of drinking water contaminated with perfluoroalkyl substances on a 10-year longitudinal trend of plasma levels in an elderly Uppsala cohort.

PubMed

Stubleski, Jordan; Salihovic, Samira; Lind, P Monica; Lind, Lars; Dunder, Linda; McCleaf, Philip; Eurén, Karin; Ahrens, Lutz; Svartengren, Magnus; van Bavel, Bert; Kärrman, Anna

2017-11-01

In 2012, drinking water contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), foremost perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) at levels over 20ng/L and 40ng/L, respectively, was confirmed in Uppsala, Sweden. We assessed how a longitudinally sampled cohort's temporal trend in PFAS plasma concentration was influenced by their residential location and determined the plausible association or disparity between the PFASs detected in the drinking water and the trend in the study cohort. The Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) cohort provided plasma samples three times from 2001 to 2014. Individuals maintaining the same zip code throughout the study (n = 399) were divided into a reference (no known PFAS exposure), low, intermediate and high exposure area depending on the proportion of contaminated drinking water received. Eight PFASs detected in the majority (75%) of the cohort's plasma samples were evaluated for significant changes in temporal PFAS concentrations using a random effects (mixed) model. PFHxS plasma concentrations continued to significantly increase in individuals living in areas receiving the largest percentage of contaminated drinking water (p < 0.0001), while PFOS showed an overall decrease. The temporal trend of other PFAS plasma concentrations did not show an association to the quality of drinking water received. The distribution of contaminated drinking water had a direct effect on the trend in PFHxS plasma levels among the different exposure groups, resulting in increased concentrations over time, especially in the intermediate and high exposure areas. PFOS and the remaining PFASs did not show the same relationship, suggesting other sources of exposure influenced these PFAS plasma trends. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Copper and cadmium in bottom sediments dredged from Wyścigi Pond, Warsaw, Poland--contamination and bioaccumulation study.

PubMed

Wojtkowska, Małgorzata; Karwowska, Ewa; Chmielewska, Iwona; Bekenova, Kundyz; Wanot, Ewa

2015-12-01

This research covered an evaluation of the copper and cadmium concentrations in bottom sediments dredged from one of the ponds in Warsaw. The samples of sediments, soil, and plants were analyzed in terms of Cu and Cd content. The research concerned the heap of dredged bottom sediments from Wyścigi Pond, Warsaw, Poland. Two boreholes were made to obtain sediment cores with depths of A 162.5 cm and B 190.0 cm. The cores were divided into 10 sub-samples with a thickness of about 15-20 cm. A control sample of soil was taken from the horse racecourse several hundred meters away from the heap. The vegetation was sampled directly from the heap. The predominating plants were tested: Urtica dioica, Glechoma hederacea, Euonymus verrucosus, and Drepanocladus aduncus. A control sample of U. dioica taken outside of the heap was also tested. The commercial PHYTOTOXKIT microbiotest was applied to evaluate the influence of heavy metal-contaminated sediments (used as soil) on germination and growth of the chosen test plants. The analyses of cadmium and copper concentrations revealed that the metal concentration in sediments was diverse at different depths of sampling, probably reflecting their concentration in stored layers of sediments. Moreover, the metal content in core A was four to five times lower than that in core B, which reveals heterogeneity of the sediments in the tested heap. In core A, the copper concentration ranged from 4.7 to 13.4 mg/kg d.w. (average 8.06 ± 0.71 mg/kg d.w.), while in core B, it ranged from 9.2 to 82.1 mg/kg d.w. (average 38.56 ± 2.6 mg/kg d.w.). One of the results of the heavy metal presence in soils is their bioaccumulation in plants. Comparing plant growth, more intensive growth of roots was observed in the case of plants growing on the control (reference) soil than those growing on sediments. The intensive development of both primary and lateral roots was noticed. During this early growth, metal accumulation in plants occurred.

40 CFR 1065.370 - CLD CO2 and H2O quench verification.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... gas divider that blends binary span gases with zero gas as the diluent and meets the specifications in... the maximum NO concentration expected during emission testing. (6) Zero and span the CLD analyzer... divider. Connect the NO span gas to the span port of the gas divider; connect a zero gas to the diluent...

40 CFR 1065.370 - CLD CO2 and H2O quench verification.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... gas divider that blends binary span gases with zero gas as the diluent and meets the specifications in... the maximum NO concentration expected during emission testing. (6) Zero and span the CLD analyzer... divider. Connect the NO span gas to the span port of the gas divider; connect a zero gas to the diluent...

40 CFR 1065.370 - CLD CO2 and H2O quench verification.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... gas divider that blends binary span gases with zero gas as the diluent and meets the specifications in... the maximum NO concentration expected during emission testing. (6) Zero and span the CLD analyzer... divider. Connect the NO span gas to the span port of the gas divider; connect a zero gas to the diluent...

40 CFR 1065.370 - CLD CO2 and H2O quench verification.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... gas divider that blends binary span gases with zero gas as the diluent and meets the specifications in... the maximum NO concentration expected during emission testing. (6) Zero and span the CLD analyzer... divider. Connect the NO span gas to the span port of the gas divider; connect a zero gas to the diluent...

PIXE analysis of elements in gastric cancer and adjacent mucosa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Qixin; Zhong, Ming; Zhang, Xiaofeng; Yan, Lingnuo; Xu, Yongling; Ye, Simao

1990-04-01

The elemental regional distributions in 20 resected human stomach tissues were obtained using PIXE analysis. The samples were pathologically divided into four types: normal, adjacent mucosa A, adjacent mucosa B and cancer. The targets for PIXE analysis were prepared by wet digestion with a pressure bomb system. P, K, Fe, Cu, Zn and Se were measured and statistically analysed. We found significantly higher concentrations of P, K, Cu, Zn and a higher ratio of Cu compared to Zn in cancer tissue as compared with normal tissue, but statistically no significant difference between adjacent mucosa and cancer tissue was found.

Disposition of enrofloxacin and its metabolite ciprofloxacin after intramuscular injection in juvenile Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus).

PubMed

Young, L A; Schumacher, J; Papich, M G; Jacobson, E R

1997-03-01

Eleven juvenile Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) weighing 0.75-1.75 kg were randomly divided into two groups. Blood samples were obtained through surgically placed anterior carotid artery cannulas. Six pythons received a single i.m. injection of enrofloxacin at 5 mg/kg. Blood samples were obtained at 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hr postinjection. A mean (+/- SD) maximal plasma concentration of 1.66 (+/- 0.42) micrograms/ml was measured at 5.75 hr postinjection. The harmonic mean half-life was calculated to be 6.37 hr. The second group of five snakes received enrofloxacin at 5 mg/kg i.m. s.i.d. for 5 days. Blood was collected immediately before each injection and at 6 hr after each injection. Over the 5-day period, there was a stepwise increase in mean trough plasma concentrations of enrofloxacin. Clinically effective peak plasma enrofloxacin concentrations were attained after the first injection but did not significantly increase during the sampling period. Pharmacokinetic data were assessed against minimum inhibitory concentrations of enrofloxacin for Pseudomonas ssp. isolates in snakes obtained from historical data at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of Florida. Enrofloxacin should be administered at 10 mg/kg i.m. every 48 hr when treating Pseudomonas ssp. infections in juvenile Burmese pythons. Treatment of infections of more enrofloxacin-sensitive gram-negative bacteria could be achieved with the administration of an initial i.m. dose of 10 mg/kg followed by 5 mg/kg every 48 hr.

Relationship between the degree of insulin resistance during late gestation and postpartum performance in dairy cows and factors that affect growth and metabolic status of their calves.

PubMed

Kawashima, Chiho; Munakata, Megumi; Shimizu, Takashi; Miyamoto, Akio; Kida, Katsuya; Matsui, Motozumi

2016-06-01

This study aimed to investigate the effects of insulin resistance (IR) during the close-up dry period on the metabolic status and performance of dairy cows as well as to determine the effects on body weight (BW) and metabolic status of their calves. An insulin tolerance test (ITT) was conducted by administering 0.05 IU/kg BW of insulin to 34 multiparous Holstein cows at 3 weeks prepartum. Blood samples were collected at 0, 30, 45 and 60 min after insulin injection, and cows were divided into two groups based on the time required for glucose to reach the minimum levels [non-IR (NIR), 45 min (n=28); and IR, 60 min (n=6)]. Blood or milk sampling and body condition score (BCS) estimation were performed twice weekly during the experimental period. Blood samples from calves were collected immediately after birth. Cows with IR showed lower BCS (P<0.05) and serum urea nitrogen (P<0.05) and glucose concentration (P=0.05) before calving, and lower serum non-esterified fatty acid concentration (P<0.05) and milk yield (P<0.05) and earlier resumption of luteal activity (P<0.05) after calving; their calves showed lower BW (P<0.05) and plasma insulin-like growth factor-I concentration (P<0.001) and higher plasma insulin concentration (P<0.05). In conclusion, IR at 3 weeks prepartum in dairy cows is related to postpartum metabolic status and performance along with growth and metabolic status of their calves.

The effect of Curcuma longa extracted (curcumin) on the quality of cryopreserved boar semen.

PubMed

Chanapiwat, Panida; Kaeoket, Kampon

2015-09-01

The aim of this study was to determine the optimal concentration of curcumin needed for cryopreservation of boar semen. Semen samples (n = 9) were collected from nine Duroc boars which having proven fertility were used for routine artificial insemination. Semen samples were collected and divided into six groups (groups A-F) according to various concentrations of curcumin in freezing extender (i.e. 0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.0 mmol/L, respectively). The semen was frozen by traditional liquid nitrogen vapor method and stored at -196°C in the liquid nitrogen tank. After storage, frozen semen samples were thawed at 50°C for 12 s and evaluated for progressive motility, viability and acrosome integrity. The present results indicated that the addition of curcumin at 0.25 (group C) or 0.50 mmol/L curcumin (group D) yielded the higher percentage of progressive motility (33.3 and 36.1%, respectively) (P < 0.001). A significantly higher percentage of acrosome integrity was found in groups B (29.7%), C (31.1%) and D (30.2%) than in the other groups (P < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference in percentage of viability among groups. In conclusion, addition to the freezing extender of curcumin during cryopreservation at a concentration of 0.25 or 0.50 mmol/L is the optimal concentration of curcumin for improving the quality (i.e. increased progressive motility and acrosome integrity) of cryopreserved boar semen. © 2015 Japanese Society of Animal Science.

Relationship between the degree of insulin resistance during late gestation and postpartum performance in dairy cows and factors that affect growth and metabolic status of their calves

PubMed Central

KAWASHIMA, Chiho; MUNAKATA, Megumi; SHIMIZU, Takashi; MIYAMOTO, Akio; KIDA, Katsuya; MATSUI, Motozumi

2016-01-01

This study aimed to investigate the effects of insulin resistance (IR) during the close-up dry period on the metabolic status and performance of dairy cows as well as to determine the effects on body weight (BW) and metabolic status of their calves. An insulin tolerance test (ITT) was conducted by administering 0.05 IU/kg BW of insulin to 34 multiparous Holstein cows at 3 weeks prepartum. Blood samples were collected at 0, 30, 45 and 60 min after insulin injection, and cows were divided into two groups based on the time required for glucose to reach the minimum levels [non-IR (NIR), 45 min (n=28); and IR, 60 min (n=6)]. Blood or milk sampling and body condition score (BCS) estimation were performed twice weekly during the experimental period. Blood samples from calves were collected immediately after birth. Cows with IR showed lower BCS (P<0.05) and serum urea nitrogen (P<0.05) and glucose concentration (P=0.05) before calving, and lower serum non-esterified fatty acid concentration (P<0.05) and milk yield (P<0.05) and earlier resumption of luteal activity (P<0.05) after calving; their calves showed lower BW (P<0.05) and plasma insulin-like growth factor-I concentration (P<0.001) and higher plasma insulin concentration (P<0.05). In conclusion, IR at 3 weeks prepartum in dairy cows is related to postpartum metabolic status and performance along with growth and metabolic status of their calves. PMID:26781705

Elemental analysis of silicon based minerals by ultrasonic slurry sampling electrothermal vaporisation ICP-MS.

PubMed

Rodríguez, Pablo Fernández; Marchante-Gayón, Juan Manuel; Sanz-Medel, Alfredo

2006-01-15

Ultrasonic slurry sampling electrothermal vaporisation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (USS-ETV-ICP-MS) was applied to the elemental analysis of silicate based minerals, such as talc or quartz, without any pre-treatment except the grinding of the sample. The electrothermal vaporisation device consists of a tungsten coil connected to a home-made power supply. The voltage program, carrier gas flow rate and sonication time were optimised in order to obtain the best sensitivity for elements determined. The relationship between the amount of sample in the slurry and the signal intensity was also evaluated. Unfortunately, in all cases, quantification had to be carried out by the standard additions method owing to the strong matrix interferences. The global precision of the proposed method was always better than 12%. The limits of detection, calculated as three times the standard deviation of the blank value divided by the slope of the calibration curve, were between 0.5 ng/g for As and 3.5 ng/g for Ba. The method was validated by comparing the concentrations found for Cu, Mn, Cr, V, Li, Pb, Sn, Mg, U, Ba, Sr, Zn, Sb, Rb and Ce using the proposed methodology with those obtained by conventional nebulisation ICP-MS after acid digestion of the samples in a microwave oven. The concentration range in the solid samples was between 0.2 microg/g for Cr and 60 microg/g for Ba. All results were statistically in agreement with those found by conventional nebulisation.

Effect of calyx capsule-ethanol extract Hibiscus sabdariffa L. on renal function of healthy volunteers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harun, N.; Darmawan, E.; Nurani, L. H.

2017-11-01

Hibiscus sabdariffa contains flavonoid, triterpenoid, anthocyanin which function as immunostimulant. H. sabdariffa is considered safe for animal renal; nonetheless, there are known side effects of which need to be further investigated for human renal. This research aims to investigate the effect of calyx capsule-ethanol extract H. sabdariffa for renal function of healthy male and female for 30 days period by monitoring Scr and Clcr component in their blood samples. The method of this experimental research was by pre and post-treatment by involving 20 healthy volunteers who have met inclusion and exclusion criteria. The volunteers have completed the informed consent for this experiment. Furthermore, volunteers were divided into two groups (10 male and 10 female). Each group was given orally 500 mg of calyx capsule-ethanol extract H. sabdariffa per day for 30 days period. Blood tests were taken on day 0, day 30 after consuming the capsule and day 45 (15 days after the last day of capsule intake) in order to measure the Scr and Clcr concentration in the blood samples by using Jaffe dan Cockcroft-Gault method. The results of each sampling day were further analyzed statistically and compared using Repeated ANOVA dan Friedman test. The results suggest that there was a difference in the renal function on day 0, 30 and 45 samplings. However, there was no significant difference in Scr dan Clcr concentrations on female and male volunteers (p>0.05). Specifically, the type of gender affects Scr concentration (p<0.05) however, it does not affect Clcr concentration (p>0.05). In addition, age and Body Mass Index (BMI) does not affect Scr and Clcr concentrations (p>0.05). The side effects discovered through the monitoring increased in mixturition and bloatedness. Calyx capsule-ethanol extract H. sabdariffa does not affect on renal function of healthy volunteers.

[Evaluation of Wondfo Rapid Diagnostic Kit for detecting Plasmodium ovale and analysis of influencing factors].

PubMed

Feng, Tang; Jian-Xia, Tang; Feng, Lu; Sui, Xu; Ya-Ping, Gu; De-Sheng, Tong; Guo-Ding, Zhu; Hai-Yong, Hua; Hua-Yun, Zhou; Jun, Cao

2016-03-21

To evaluate the Wondfo Rapid Diagnostic Kit (Pf-LDH/Pan -pLDH) for detecting Plasmodium ovale and analyze the influence of parasitaemia, concentration and polymorphism of pLDH on the performances. A total of 100 blood samples from P. ovale patients confirmed by PCR were detected with the Wondfo Rapid Diagnostic Kit according to the manufacturers'instructions. The parasitaemia was determined by the microscopic examination. The concentration of pLDH was measured by ELISA tests. The LDH gene of P. ovale was amplified by PCR and sequenced. The influence of these three factors on the positive rate was analyzed. The overall positive rate of Wondfo Rapid Diagnostic Kit was 70.0% (70/100). The positive rate was 27.3% for the samples with parasitaemia ≤ 500 parasites/μl and reached 75.0%-75.4% when parasitaemia > 500 parasites/μl. The positive rate was 6.7% for samples with a low pLDH concentration ( A values ≤ 0.100) and reached 95.1%-100% at a high pLDH concentration ( A values > 0.100). The results of sequence analysis indicated that all the samples could be divided into 2 types, P. o. curtisi and P. o. wallikeri . The gene homology of LDH between 2 types was 97%. There were 24 single nucleotide polymorphism (s) (SNPs) between 2 types, while only 3 SNPs were non-synonymous mutations. The homology of LDH amino acid sequences between 2 types was 99%; only 3 amino acids were different. The positive rates for P. o. curtisi and P. o. wallikeri were 73.1% (38/52) and 66.7% (32/48) respectively; there was no statistically significant difference ( P > 0.05). The Wondfo Rapid Diagnostic Kit (Pf-LDH/Pan-pLDH) performs better than most of the similar products for the detection of P. ovale , and the positive rates are closely related to the parasitaemia and concentration of pLDH, while no related to the polymorphism of pLDH gene.

Firn-air Properties and Influences at the West Antarctic Ice Sheet Divide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Battle, M. O.; Severinghaus, J. P.; Montzka, S. A.; Sofen, E. D.; Tans, P. P.

2007-12-01

In December 2005, we collected samples of firn air from a pair of dedicated boreholes drilled at the West Antarctic Ice Sheet Divide (WAIS-D), immediately adjacent to the WAIS-D deep ice coring effort currently underway at 79° 28'S, 112° 7'W at an elevation of ~1800m. The site is characterized by moderate temperatures (annual mean of -31°C) and moderate accumulation (24 cm/yr ice-equivalent). These samples were analyzed for a wide variety of atmospheric species by laboratories at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, NOAA-ESRL, University of Colorado/INSTAAR, UC Irvine and Penn. State University. In this presentation, we focus on general properties of the firn air at this site and the influences on its composition, as inferred from concentration data for CO2, CH4, and a range of halogenated species, as well as the stable isotope ratios of N2 and several noble gases. Preliminary analyses indicate the presence of a shallow convective zone (a few meters or less), a diffusive region extending down to roughly 65m and a lock-in zone from 65m to the firn-ice transition at 76.5m. There is also evidence of a thermally-driven seasonal cycle in composition in the upper 25m of the firn. Modeling studies indicate that the accumulation rate at this site is low enough that the downward advection of air accompanying firn compression has a very small influence on the firn air profile. Air at the bottom of the diffusive column has a CO2-based age of 10-15 years (depending on the definition of "mean age"), while the air at the firn-ice transition is ~38 years old. Concentrations of halogenated species in the samples collected imply atmospheric histories that are generally consistent with those derived from direct atmospheric measurements and from firn air collected at other sites. Additional properties of the air, and their controlling processes will also be presented.

Fluorescent determination of chloride in nanoliter samples.

PubMed

García, N H; Plato, C F; Garvin, J L

1999-01-01

Measurements of Cl- in nanoliter samples, such as those collected during isolated, perfused tubule experiments, have been difficult, somewhat insensitive, and/or require custom-made equipment. We developed a technique using a fluorescent Cl- indicator, 6-methoxy-N-(3-sulfopropyl) quinolinium (SPQ), to make these measurements simple and reliable. This is a simple procedure that relies on the selectivity of the dye and the fact that Cl-quenches its fluorescence. To measure millimolar quantities of Cl- in nanoliter samples, we prepared a solution of 0.25 mm SPQ and loaded it into the reservoir of a continuous-flow ultramicrofluorometer, which can be constructed from commercially available components. Samples were injected with a calibrated pipette via an injection port, and the resultant peak fluorescent deflections were recorded. The deflections represent a decrease in fluorescence caused by the quenching effect of the Cl- injected. The method yielded a linear response with Cl- concentrations from 5 to 200 mm NaCl. The minimum detectable Cl- concentration was approximately 5 mm. The coefficient of variation between 5 and 200 mm was 1.7%. Resolution, defined as two times the standard error divided by the slope, between 10 and 50 mm and between 50 and 200 mm was 1 mm and 2.6 mm, respectively. Furosemide, diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid and other nonchloride anions (HEPES, HCO3, SO4, and PO4) did not interfere with the assay, whereas 150 mm NaBr resulted in a peak height greater than 150 NaCl. In addition, the ability to measure Cl- did not vary with pH within the physiological range. We developed an easy, accurate, and sensitive method to measure Cl- concentration in small aqueous solution samples.

A prototype splitter apparatus for dividing large catches of small fish

USGS Publications Warehouse

Stapanian, Martin A.; Edwards, William H.

2012-01-01

Due to financial and time constraints, it is often necessary in fisheries studies to divide large samples of fish and estimate total catch from the subsample. The subsampling procedure may involve potential human biases or may be difficult to perform in rough conditions. We present a prototype gravity-fed splitter apparatus for dividing large samples of small fish (30–100 mm TL). The apparatus features a tapered hopper with a sliding and removable shutter. The apparatus provides a comparatively stable platform for objectively obtaining subsamples, and it can be modified to accommodate different sizes of fish and different sample volumes. The apparatus is easy to build, inexpensive, and convenient to use in the field. To illustrate the performance of the apparatus, we divided three samples (total N = 2,000 fish) composed of four fish species. Our results indicated no significant bias in estimating either the number or proportion of each species from the subsample. Use of this apparatus or a similar apparatus can help to standardize subsampling procedures in large surveys of fish. The apparatus could be used for other applications that require dividing a large amount of material into one or more smaller subsamples.

I/O impedance controller

DOEpatents

Ruesch, Rodney; Jenkins, Philip N.; Ma, Nan

2004-03-09

There is disclosed apparatus and apparatus for impedance control to provide for controlling the impedance of a communication circuit using an all-digital impedance control circuit wherein one or more control bits are used to tune the output impedance. In one example embodiment, the impedance control circuit is fabricated using circuit components found in a standard macro library of a computer aided design system. According to another example embodiment, there is provided a control for an output driver on an integrated circuit ("IC") device to provide for forming a resistor divider network with the output driver and a resistor off the IC device so that the divider network produces an output voltage, comparing the output voltage of the divider network with a reference voltage, and adjusting the output impedance of the output driver to attempt to match the output voltage of the divider network and the reference voltage. Also disclosed is over-sampling the divider network voltage, storing the results of the over sampling, repeating the over-sampling and storing, averaging the results of multiple over sampling operations, controlling the impedance with a plurality of bits forming a word, and updating the value of the word by only one least significant bit at a time.

Mutagenic activity and metabolites in the urine of workers exposed to trinitrotoluene (TNT).

PubMed Central

Ahlborg, G; Einistö, P; Sorsa, M

1988-01-01

Urine samples taken after work and after a free weekend from 50 workers employed in various activities in a chemical plant manufacturing explosives were analysed. On the basis of hygienic surveys, the subjects were divided into three categories of exposure to trinitrotoluene (TNT). The urine analyses consisted of gas chromatographic identification of TNT and its two metabolites, 4-ADNT and 2-ADNT, and a determination of the mutagenic activity. Two frame shift detector strains of Salmonella typhimurium were used, TA 98 and TA 98 NR, the latter being deficient in endogenous nitroreductase activity. On the basis of previous results on TNT mutagenicity, no exogeneous metabolic system was used to test the urine concentrates. Both tester strains showed that the mean urinary mutagenic activity was higher in the after work samples than in post weekend samples from the same subjects, showing that bacterial nitroreductase activity was not significantly responsible for the mutagenicity, although the response was higher with strain TA 98 than with TA 98 NR. The interindividual variation in urine mutagenicity was high, however, and the difference between the two sampling times was statistically significant (p less than 0.05) only for the high exposed group (workers in trotyl foundry and sieve house). Correlation between urinary mutagenicity and concentration of TNT in urine was poor; correlation was significant only with the urinary concentration of 4-ADNT. The correlation between urinary TNT and both metabolites was good (p less than 0.001). These results suggest that analysis of 4-ADNT in urine would be a sufficient biological measure for controlling exposure to TNT. PMID:3378017

Breed of boar influences the optimal concentration of gamma-oryzanol needed for semen cryopreservation.

PubMed

Chanapiwat, P; Kaeoket, K

2015-04-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of boar breed on the optimal concentration of gamma-oryzanol on the qualities of cryopreserved boar semen. Semen was collected from 20 boars (10 Duroc, 5 Large white and 5 Landrace boars). The semen sample was divided into five groups (A-E) according to the concentration of gamma-oryzanol in extender II, that is 0, 0.08, 0.16, 0.24 and 0.32 mM, respectively. The semen was cryopreserved by nitrogen vapour and storage in nitrogen tank (-196°C). After storage for a week, samples were thawed at 50°C for 12 s and evaluated for progressive motility, sperm viability and acrosome integrity. The results demonstrated that gamma-oryzanol significantly improved progressive motility, viability and acrosome integrity of frozen-thawed boar semen. Considering the influence of breeds on the optimal concentration of gamma-oryzanol, for Duroc boar, gamma-oryzanol at 0.16 mM (group C) yielded the highest percentage of progressive motility, sperm viability and acrosome integrity. For Large white and Landrace boars, gamma-oryzanol at 0.24 mM (group D) showed a significantly higher percentage of progressive motility, viability (not significant in Landrace) and acrosome integrity than other concentrations. In conclusion, the optimal concentration of gamma-oryzanol needed for boar semen cryopreservation in lactose-egg yolk (LEY) freezing extender is not only depended on individual boar but also breed of boar, that is 0.16 mM for Duroc and 0.24 mM for Large white and Landrace. © 2015 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Correcting for Systematic Bias in Sample Estimates of Population Variances: Why Do We Divide by n-1?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mittag, Kathleen Cage

An important topic presented in introductory statistics courses is the estimation of population parameters using samples. Students learn that when estimating population variances using sample data, we always get an underestimate of the population variance if we divide by n rather than n-1. One implication of this correction is that the degree of…

Snow Melt Chemistry: Major and Trace Cation Contributions to Downstream Systems from the Llewellyn and Matthes Glaciers, Juneau Icefield

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huston, K.; Gianotti, Z.; Fortner, S. K.; John, C.; Kehrwald, N. M.; Kennedy, J.

2017-12-01

Previous work has revealed very little information on melt chemistry of the temperate Juneau Icefield. Improving this understanding is central to evaluating how current changes in climate will impact nutrient delivery to downstream ecosystems. The study focused on evaluating late melt season concentrations of major and trace cations on the Juneau Icefield. During the 2016 season, 30 supraglacial stream samples from the Llewellyn Glacier had K, Mg, Ca, and Na concentrations that varied across two to three orders of magnitude. For example, Ca ranged from 2-2023 ug/L. We collected surface snow from a transect across the Matthes and Llewellyn glaciers in late July and early August 2017 to retrieve data on actively melting snow of the Juneau Icefield. We collected these samples across a glacial flow divide to assess spatial variation in surface chemistry. We have used physical observations and chemical signatures (e.g. sea salt, eolian deposits) to identify the source and post-depositional fate of glacier chemistry. Additionally, we have compared our chemical results with existing datasets for greater understanding of chemical cycling through glacier systems.

Chemical Composition of Rainwater in Córdoba City, Argentina

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

López, M. L.; Asar, M. L.; Ceppi, S.; Bürgesser, R. E.; Avila, E.

2013-05-01

Sampling and chemical analysis of rainwater has proved to be a useful technique for studying its chemical composition and provides a greater understanding of local and regional dispersion of pollutants and their potential impacts to ecosystems through deposition processes. Samples of rainwater were collected during 2009-2012, in Córdoba city, Argentina. Two kind of sampling were performed: event-specific and sequential. The objective of the first of these was to determine the chemical concentration of the total rain, while the objective of the second one was to analyze the variability of the chemical concentration during an individual rain event. The total volume of each sample was divided in halves. One half was filtered through 0.45 μm membrane filter. After this, all the samples were reduced by evaporation to a final volume of 10 ml. The non-filtered samples were acidified and digested in accordance to the method 3050B of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for acid digestion of sediments. Multi-elemental standard solutions in different concentrations were prepared by adequate dilutions. Gallium was added as an internal standard in all standard solutions and samples. Exactly 5 μL of these solutions were deposited on acrylic supports. When these droplets were dried, Synchrotron Radiation Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence technique was used for determining the chemical elements. Spectra were analyzed with the AXIL package for spectrum analysis. Due to the intrinsic characteristics of the total reflection technique, the background of the measurements is significantly reduced and there are no matrix effects, therefore quantification can be obtained from the linear correlation between fluorescence intensity and the concentration of the element of interest. The elements quantified were S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Sr, and Pb. For all of them a calibration curve was performed in order to quantify their concentrations on the samples. The results show that the average pH in city rainwater was pH=6.5; the elements found in the samples were S, Ca, Cu, Cr, Sr, P, Fe, Mn, Pb, K, Ti, V, Zn and the average concentrations of these elements were below the limits established by World Health Organization for drinking water, and show a high natural variability. The temporal evolution of inorganic ion concentration during rain events was analyzed and the scavenging coefficients were calculated and compared with data from literature. A comparison was made between the rainwater chemical composition and chemical composition in the aerosols scavenging during the rain. This study is the first in Córdoba city to analyze the chemical composition of rainwater and constitute a base for future comparison of variability in pH and elemental composition.

EFFECT OF A SHORT PERIOD WHOLE BODY VIBRATION WITH 10 HZ ON BLOOD BIOMARKERS IN WISTAR RATS.

PubMed

Monteiro, Milena de Oliveira Bravo; de Sá-Caputo, Danúbia da Cunha; Moreira-Marconi, Eloá; Frederico, Éric Heleno Freire Ferreira; de Sousa-Gonçalves, Cintia Renata; Bernardo, Luciana Camargo; Guimarães, Carlos Alberto Sampaio; Bernardo-Filho, Mario

2017-01-01

Exposure to whole body vibration exercises (WBVE), besides some biological effects, causes alterations in the concentration of some blood biomarkers. The aim of this study is to evaluate the action of vibration (10 Hz) of WBVE on the concentration of blood biomarkers in Wistar rats. Wistar rats were divided in 2 groups. The experimental group (EG) was subjected to vibrations of 10Hz (one min per day, one week, total time of seven min), while the control group (CG) has not experienced vibration. Samples of whole blood were drawn for biochemical analysis of the concentration of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, VLDL, glucose, CPK, albumin, alkaline phosphates, TGP, TGO, γGT, lipase, amylase, urea and creatinine. White blood cell count and a platelet-hemogram were also performed. Significant (p<0.05) increase in TGP, TGO and white blood cells and decrease in LDL concentration was found after exposure of 10Hz mechanical vibration. Although these findings were obtained with rats, they might contribute to try to understand better these mechanisms that occur following exposure to a frequency of 10Hz.

Differential localization of cytoplasmic myosin II isoforms A and B in avian interphase and dividing embryonic and immortalized cardiomyocytes and other cell types in vitro

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Conrad, A. H.; Jaffredo, T.; Conrad, G. W.; Spooner, B. S. (Principal Investigator)

1995-01-01

Two principal isoforms of cytoplasmic myosin II, A and B (CMIIA and CMIIB), are present in different proportions in different tissues. Isoform-specific monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies to avian CMIIA and CMIIB reveal the cellular distributions of these isoforms in interphase and dividing embryonic avian cardiac, intestinal epithelial, spleen, and dorsal root ganglia cells in primary cell culture. Embryonic cardiomyocytes react with antibodies to CMIIB but not to CMIIA, localize CMIIB in stress-fiber-like-structures during interphase, and markedly concentrate CMIIB in networks in the cleavage furrow during cytokinesis. In contrast, cardiac fibroblasts localize both CMIIA and CMIIB in stress fibers and networks during interphase, and demonstrate slight and independently regulated concentration of CMIIA and CMIIB in networks in their cleavage furrows. V-myc-immortalized cardiomyocytes, an established cell line, have regained the ability to express CMIIA, as well as CMIIB, and localize both CMIIA and CMIIB in stress fibers and networks in interphase cells and in cleavage furrows in dividing cells. Conversely, some intestinal epithelial, spleen, and dorsal root ganglia interphase cells express only CMIIA, organized primarily in networks. Of these, intestinal epithelial cells express both CMIIA and CMIIB when they divide, whereas some dividing cells from both spleen and dorsal root ganglia express only CMIIA and concentrate it in their cleavage furrows. These results suggest that within a given tissue, different cell types express different isoforms of CMII, and that cells expressing either CMIIA or CMIIB alone, or simultaneously, can form a cleavage furrow and divide.

Degree of contamination and sources of polychlorinated biphenyls in Meandering Road Creek and Woods Inlet of Lake Worth, Fort Worth, Texas, 2004 and 2006-07

USGS Publications Warehouse

Braun, Christopher L.; Wilson, Jennifer T.; Van Metre, Peter C.

2008-01-01

Lake Worth is a reservoir on the West Fork Trinity River on the western edge of Fort Worth, Texas. Air Force Plant 4 (AFP4) is on the eastern shore of Woods Inlet, an arm of Lake Worth that extends south from the main body of the lake. Two previous reports documented ele-vated polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations in surficial sediment in Woods Inlet relative to those in surficial sediment in other parts of Lake Worth. This report presents the results of another USGS study, done in cooperation with the U.S. Air Force, to indicate the degree of PCB contamination of Meandering Road Creek and Woods Inlet and to identify possible sources of PCBs in Meandering Road Creek and Woods Inlet on the basis of suspended, streambed, and lake-bottom sediment samples collected there in 2004 and 2006-07. About 40 to 80 percent of total PCB concentrations (depending on how total PCB concentration is computed) in suspended sediment exceed the threshold effect concentration, a concentration below which adverse effects to benthic biota rarely occur. About 20 percent of total PCB concentrations (computed as sum of three Aroclors) in suspended sediment exceed the probable effect concentration, a concentration above which adverse effects to benthic biota are expected to occur frequently. About 20 to 30 percent of total PCB concentrations in streambed sediment exceed the threshold effect concentration; and about 6 to 20 percent of total PCB concentrations in lake-bottom (Woods Inlet) sediment exceed the threshold effect concentration. No streambed or lake-bottom sediment concentrations exceed the probable effect concentration. The sources of PCBs to Meandering Road Creek and Woods Inlet were investigated by comparing the relative distributions of PCB congeners of suspended sediment to those of streambed and lake-bottom sediment. The sources of PCBs were identified using graphical analysis of normalized concentrations (congener ratios) of 11 congeners. For graphical analysis, the sampling sites were divided into three groups with each group associated with one of the three outfalls sampled: SSO, OF4, and OF5. The variations of normalized PCB congener concentrations from Woods Inlet, from outfalls along Meandering Road Creek, and from streambed sediment sampling sites along Meandering Road Creek generally form similar patterns within sample groups, which is indicative of a common source of PCBs to each group. Overall, the variations in congener ratios indicate that PCBs in surficial lake-bottom sediment of Woods Inlet probably entered Woods Inlet primarily from Meandering Road Creek, and that runoff from AFP4 is a prominent source of PCBs in Meandering Road Creek. Sixteen of the 20 box core sites in Woods Inlet had lower PCB concentrations in the 2006 cores compared to those in the 2003 cores.

Water-quality trend analysis and sampling design for the Devils Lake Basin, North Dakota, January 1965 through September 2003

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ryberg, Karen R.; Vecchia, Aldo V.

2006-01-01

This report presents the results of a study conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the North Dakota State Water Commission, the Devils Lake Basin Joint Water Resource Board, and the Red River Joint Water Resource District, to analyze historical water-quality trends in three dissolved major ions, three nutrients, and one dissolved trace element for eight stations in the Devils Lake Basin in North Dakota and to develop an efficient sampling design to monitor the future trends. A multiple-regression model was used to detect and remove streamflow-related variability in constituent concentrations. To separate the natural variability in concentration as a result of variability in streamflow from the variability in concentration as a result of other factors, the base-10 logarithm of daily streamflow was divided into four components-a 5-year streamflow anomaly, an annual streamflow anomaly, a seasonal streamflow anomaly, and a daily streamflow anomaly. The constituent concentrations then were adjusted for streamflow-related variability by removing the 5-year, annual, seasonal, and daily variability. Constituents used for the water-quality trend analysis were evaluated for a step trend to examine the effect of Channel A on water quality in the basin and a linear trend to detect gradual changes with time from January 1980 through September 2003. The fitted upward linear trends for dissolved calcium concentrations during 1980-2003 for two stations were significant. The fitted step trends for dissolved sulfate concentrations for three stations were positive and similar in magnitude. Of the three upward trends, one was significant. The fitted step trends for dissolved chloride concentrations were positive but insignificant. The fitted linear trends for the upstream stations were small and insignificant, but three of the downward trends that occurred during 1980-2003 for the remaining stations were significant. The fitted upward linear trends for dissolved nitrite plus nitrate as nitrogen concentrations during 1987-2003 for two stations were significant. However, concentrations during recent years appear to be lower than those for the 1970s and early 1980s but higher than those for the late 1980s and early 1990s. The fitted downward linear trend for dissolved ammonia concentrations for one station was significant. The fitted linear trends for total phosphorus concentrations for two stations were significant. Upward trends for total phosphorus concentrations occurred from the late 1980s to 2003 for most stations, but a small and insignificant downward trend occurred for one station. Continued monitoring will be needed to determine if the recent trend toward higher dissolved nitrite plus nitrate as nitrogen and total phosphorus concentrations continues in the future. For continued monitoring of water-quality trends in the upper Devils Lake Basin, an efficient sampling design consists of five major-ion, nutrient, and trace-element samples per year at three existing stream stations and at three existing lake stations. This sampling design requires the collection of 15 stream samples and 15 lake samples per year rather than 16 stream samples and 20 lake samples per year as in the 1992-2003 program. Thus, the design would result in a program that is less costly and more efficient than the 1992-2003 program but that still would provide the data needed to monitor water-quality trends in the Devils Lake Basin.

A fiberoptic reflection oximeter.

PubMed

Landsman, M L; Knop, N; Kwant, G; Mook, G A; Zijlstra, W G

1978-03-20

A catheter tip oximeter is described consisting of a cardiac catheter containing optical fibers, and incandescent light source, a light detection unit and a processing unit. Half of the optical fibers guide the light to the blood at the tip of the catheter, the other half the backscattered (reflected) light to the detection unit. The detection unit contains a dichroic mirror, transmitting most of the light with lambda less than 800 nm and reflecting most of the light with lambda greater than 900 nm, thus splitting the light into two beams. These pass through interference filters with nominal wavelengths of 640 and 920 nm respectively, and are focused on silicium barrier layer photocells. The photocell signals are amplified and fed into a divider giving the ratio of measuring (R640) and compensating (R920) photocell output. The relationship between log R640/R920 and oxygen saturation is represented by a slightly curved line. The relation may be linearized by subtracting a constant voltage from the divided output before taking the logarithm. The slope of the calibration line is dependent on the total haemoglobin concentration. Nonetheless an average calibration line can be used between 70 and 100% oxygen saturation. For 78 measurements of pig blood samples in this range (haemoglobin concentration between 96 and 161 g.1(-1)), the standard deviation of the difference between the fiberoptic oximeter and a Radiometer OSM1 oxygen saturation meter was 1.9% saturation, for 152 samples over the entire saturation range the standard deviation of the difference was 3.1% saturation. The influence of the flow velocity of blood on the light reflection depends on wavelength as well as on oxygen saturation. Therefore, complete compensation for the flow effect is not possible by simple means.

Fast method for the simultaneous quantification of toxic polyphenols applied to the selection of genotypes of yam bean (Pachyrhizus sp.) seeds.

PubMed

Lautié, E; Rozet, E; Hubert, P; Vandelaer, N; Billard, F; Felde, T Zum; Grüneberg, W J; Quetin-Leclercq, J

2013-12-15

The purpose of the research was to develop and validate a rapid quantification method able to screen many samples of yam bean seeds to determine the content of two toxic polyphenols, namely pachyrrhizine and rotenone. The analytical procedure described is based on the use of an internal standard (dihydrorotenone) and is divided in three steps: microwave assisted extraction, purification by solid phase extraction and assay by ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC). Each step was included in the validation protocol and the accuracy profiles methodology was used to fully validate the method. The method was fully validated between 0.25 mg and 5 mg pachyrrhizin per gram of seeds and between 0.58 mg/g and 4 mg/g for rotenone. More than one hundred samples from different accessions, locations of growth and harvest dates were screened. Pachyrrhizine concentrations ranged from 3.29 mg/g to lower than 0.25 mg/g while rotenone concentrations ranged from 3.53 mg/g to lower than 0.58 mg/g. This screening along with principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant analysis (DA) analyses allowed the selection of the more interesting genotypes in terms of low concentrations of these two toxic polyphenols. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Release of serum S-100β protein and neuron-specific enolase after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting with and without intracranial and cervical artery stenosis.

PubMed

Tamura, Atsushi; Imamaki, Mizuho; Shimura, Hitoshi; Niitsuma, Yuriko; Miyazaki, Masaru

2011-01-01

The aim of this study was to quantify the amount of brain damage suffered by patients who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) in which S-100β protein and neuron-specific enolase were used. Thirty-four patients undergoing scheduled OPCAB were enrolled in the study. The patients were divided into two groups according to the results of their magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and cervical ultrasonography: 13 patients had cervical or intracranial arterial stenosis (Group A), and 21 patients did not (Group B). Blood samples were collected from the arterial catheters immediately before surgery, upon arrival to the intensive care unit, and 6 and 24 hours after surgery. In blood samples collected from patients upon arrival to the intensive care unit, the maximum concentration of serum s-100β protein in Group A was significantly higher than that of Group B (p = 0.029). Though patients in Group A tended to have higher maximum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) concentrations, there were no significant differences in NSE concentrations at any point between the two groups. Our findings show a correlation between the stenosis detected by MRA or cervical ultrasonography and brain damage after OPCAB.

X-ray microfluorescence as a tool to analyze elemental changes in femur head induced by chemotherapy drugs for the treatment of breast cancer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pickler, A.; Mota, C. L.; Mantuano, A.; Salata, C.; Nogueira, L. P.; Almeida, A. P.; Alessio, R.; Sena, G.; Braz, D.; de Almeida, C. E. V.; Barroso, R. C.

2015-11-01

Recently some developments in a large number of investigative techniques have been made with the objective to obtain a micrometer spatial resolution imaging of elemental concentrations. The X-ray microfluorescence analysis (μXRF) is one of those techniques which is based on the localized excitation of a small area on the surface of sample, providing information of all elements contained in the material under study. Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in Brazilian women. The main treatment strategies for the breast cancer are surgery and chemotherapy. As bone loss is one of the possible chemotherapy side effects, in this work was used μXRF technique on femoral head samples of female Wistar rats to evaluate Ca, Fe and Zn concentrations in order to investigate possible elemental changes in bone caused by the chemotherapy. Fifteen female rats were divided randomly in groups (five rats each). G1 group received doses of doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide drugs and G2 group was treated with docetaxel/cyclophosphamide drugs. μXRF measurements were carried out at the X-ray XRF beamline in the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory. The results showed significant decrease especially in Ca concentrations when comparing the treated groups with the control group.

Early-life house dust mite allergens, childhood mite sensitization, and respiratory outcomes.

PubMed

Casas, L; Sunyer, J; Tischer, C; Gehring, U; Wickman, M; Garcia-Esteban, R; Lehmann, I; Kull, I; Reich, A; Lau, S; Wijga, A; Antó, J M; Nawrot, T S; Heinrich, J; Keil, T; Torrent, M

2015-07-01

Exposure to indoor allergens during early life may play a role in the development of the immune system and inception of asthma. To describe the house dust mite (HDM) allergen concentrations in bedroom dust during early life and to evaluate its associations with HDM sensitization, wheezing, and asthma, from birth to school age, in 5 geographically spread European birth cohorts. We included 4334 children from INMA-Menorca (Spain), BAMSE (Sweden), LISAplus and MAS (Germany), and PIAMA-NHS (the Netherlands). Dust samples were collected from bedrooms during early life and analyzed for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p1) and Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f1). HDM concentrations were divided into four categories. Sensitization was determined by specific IgE. Wheezing and asthma information up to 8/10 years was collected through questionnaires. We performed mixed-effects logistic regression models and expressed associations as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. House dust mite concentrations varied across cohorts. Mean allergen concentrations were highest in INMA-Menorca (geometric mean (GM) Der p1 = 3.3 μg/g) and LISAplus (GM Der f1 = 2.1 μg/g) and lowest in BAMSE (GM Der p1 = 0.1 μg/g, Der f1 = 0.3 μg/g). Moderate and high HDM concentrations were significantly (P-values < 0.05) associated with 50-90% higher prevalence of HDM sensitization. No significant associations were observed with respiratory outcomes. Our study based on geographically spread regions, a large sample size, and a wide range of allergen concentration shows that HDM allergen concentrations vary across regions and that exposure during early life plays a role in the development of allergic sensitization but not in the development of respiratory outcomes. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

[Effects of antiseptic on the analysis of greenhouse gases concentrations in lake water].

PubMed

Xiao, Qi-Tao; Hu, Zheng-Hu; James, Deng; Xiao, Wei; Liu, Shou-Dong; Li, Xu-Hui

2014-01-01

To gain insight into antiseptic effects on the concentrations of CO2, CH4, and N2O in lake water, antisepetic (CuSO4 and HgCl2) were added into water sample, and concentrations of greenhouse gases were measured by the gas chromatography based on water equilibrium method. Experiments were conducted as following: the control group without antisepetic (CK), the treatment group with 1 mL CuSO4 solution (T1), the treatment group with 5 mL CuSO4 solution (T2), and the treatment group with 0.5 mL HgCl2 solution (T3). All groups were divided into two batches: immediately analysis (I), and after 2 days analysis (II). Results showed that CuSO4 and HgCl2 significantly increased CO2 concentration, the mean CO2 concentration (Mco2) of CK (I) and CK (II) were (11.5 +/- 1.47) micromol x L(-1) and (14.38 +/- 1.59) micromol x L(-1), respectively; the Mco2 of T1 (I) and T1 (II) were (376 +/- 70) micromol x L(-1) and (448 +/- 246.83) micromol x L(-1), respectively; the Mco2 of T2 (I) and T2 (II) were (885 +/- 51.53) micromol x L(-1) and (988.83 +/- 101.96) micromol x L(-1), respectively; the Mco2 of T3 (I) and T3 (II) were (287.19 +/- 30.01) micromol x L(-1) and (331.33 +/- 22.06) micromol x L(-1), respectively. The results also showed that there was no difference in CH4 and N2O concentrations among treatments. Water samples should be analyzed as soon as possible after pretreatment. Our findings suggest that adding antiseptic may lead an increase in CO2 concentration.

Organic contaminants, trace and major elements, and nutrients in water and sediment sampled in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill

USGS Publications Warehouse

Nowell, Lisa H.; Ludtke, Amy S.; Mueller, David K.; Scott, Jonathon C.

2012-01-01

Beach water and sediment samples were collected along the Gulf of Mexico coast to assess differences in contaminant concentrations before and after landfall of Macondo-1 well oil released into the Gulf of Mexico from the sinking of the British Petroleum Corporation's Deepwater Horizon drilling platform. Samples were collected at 70 coastal sites between May 7 and July 7, 2010, to document baseline, or "pre-landfall" conditions. A subset of 48 sites was resampled during October 4 to 14, 2010, after oil had made landfall on the Gulf of Mexico coast, called the "post-landfall" sampling period, to determine if actionable concentrations of oil were present along shorelines. Few organic contaminants were detected in water; their detection frequencies generally were low and similar in pre-landfall and post-landfall samples. Only one organic contaminant--toluene--had significantly higher concentrations in post-landfall than pre-landfall water samples. No water samples exceeded any human-health benchmarks, and only one post-landfall water sample exceeded an aquatic-life benchmark--the toxic-unit benchmark for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) mixtures. In sediment, concentrations of 3 parent PAHs and 17 alkylated PAH groups were significantly higher in post-landfall samples than pre-landfall samples. One pre-landfall sample from Texas exceeded the sediment toxic-unit benchmark for PAH mixtures; this site was not sampled during the post-landfall period. Empirical upper screening-value benchmarks for PAHs in sediment were exceeded at 37 percent of post-landfall samples and 22 percent of pre-landfall samples, but there was no significant difference in the proportion of samples exceeding benchmarks between paired pre-landfall and post-landfall samples. Seven sites had the largest concentration differences between post-landfall and pre-landfall samples for 15 alkylated PAHs. Five of these seven sites, located in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, had diagnostic geochemical evidence of Macondo-1 oil in post-landfall sediments and tarballs. For trace and major elements in water, analytical reporting levels for several elements were high and variable. No human-health benchmarks were exceeded, although these were available for only two elements. Aquatic-life benchmarks for trace elements were exceeded in 47 percent of water samples overall. The elements responsible for the most exceedances in post-landfall samples were boron, copper, and manganese. Benchmark exceedances in water could be substantially underestimated because some samples had reporting levels higher than the applicable benchmarks (such as cobalt, copper, lead and zinc) and some elements (such as boron and vanadium) were analyzed in samples from only one sampling period. For trace elements in whole sediment, empirical upper screening-value benchmarks were exceeded in 57 percent of post-landfall samples and 40 percent of pre-landfall samples, but there was no significant difference in the proportion of samples exceeding benchmarks between paired pre-landfall and post-landfall samples. Benchmark exceedance frequencies could be conservatively high because they are based on measurements of total trace-element concentrations in sediment. In the less than 63-micrometer sediment fraction, one or more trace or major elements were anthropogenically enriched relative to national baseline values for U.S. streams for all sediment samples except one. Sixteen percent of sediment samples exceeded upper screening-value benchmarks for, and were enriched in, one or more of the following elements: barium, vanadium, aluminum, manganese, arsenic, chromium, and cobalt. These samples were evenly divided between the sampling periods. Aquatic-life benchmarks were frequently exceeded along the Gulf of Mexico coast by trace elements in both water and sediment and by PAHs in sediment. For the most part, however, significant differences between pre-landfall and post-landfall samples were limited to concentrations of PAHs in sediment. At five sites along the coast, the higher post-landfall concentrations of PAHs were associated with diagnostic geochemical evidence of Deepwater Horizon Macondo-1 oil.

Reduction of interferences in graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry by multiple linear regression modelling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grotti, Marco; Abelmoschi, Maria Luisa; Soggia, Francesco; Tiberiade, Christian; Frache, Roberto

2000-12-01

The multivariate effects of Na, K, Mg and Ca as nitrates on the electrothermal atomisation of manganese, cadmium and iron were studied by multiple linear regression modelling. Since the models proved to efficiently predict the effects of the considered matrix elements in a wide range of concentrations, they were applied to correct the interferences occurring in the determination of trace elements in seawater after pre-concentration of the analytes. In order to obtain a statistically significant number of samples, a large volume of the certified seawater reference materials CASS-3 and NASS-3 was treated with Chelex-100 resin; then, the chelating resin was separated from the solution, divided into several sub-samples, each of them was eluted with nitric acid and analysed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (for trace element determinations) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (for matrix element determinations). To minimise any other systematic error besides that due to matrix effects, accuracy of the pre-concentration step and contamination levels of the procedure were checked by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric measurements. Analytical results obtained by applying the multiple linear regression models were compared with those obtained with other calibration methods, such as external calibration using acid-based standards, external calibration using matrix-matched standards and the analyte addition technique. Empirical models proved to efficiently reduce interferences occurring in the analysis of real samples, allowing an improvement of accuracy better than for other calibration methods.

Determination of caramel colorants' by-products in liquid foods by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS).

PubMed

Goscinny, Séverine; Hanot, Vincent; Trabelsi, Hasna; Van Loco, Joris

2014-01-01

2-Methylimidazole, 4-methylimidazole (2-MI and 4-MI), 2-acetyl-4-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydroxybutyl) imidazole (THI) and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) are neo-formed compounds generated during the manufacture of caramel colours and are transferred to the processed food. These contaminants are known to have a toxicological profile that may pose health risks. Hence, to characterise THI, 2- and 4-MI and 5-HMF levels in liquid foods, an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed and sample preparation was divided into two analytical strategies depending on the concentration range expected in the type of foods targeted. For the determination of the imidazole substitutes (THI, 2- and 4-MI), a sample enrichment and clean-up step by strong cation solid-phase extraction was developed. This method is capable of quantifying over a range of 5 ng ml⁻¹ (LOQ) to 500 ng ml⁻¹ with recoveries of 75.4-112.4% and RSDs of 1.5-15%. For determination of 5-HMF, a standard addition method was applied covering the linear range of 0.25-30 µg ml⁻¹ with RSDs from 2.8% (for intraday precision) to 9.2% (for intermediate precision). The validated analytical methods were applied to 28 liquid food samples purchased from local markets. THI was found only in the beer samples at levels up to 141.2 ng ml⁻¹. For 2-MI, non-quantifiable traces were observed for all samples, while 4-MI was observed in all samples with large concentration variations (from < LOQ to 563.9 ng ml⁻¹). 5-HMF was found at expected concentrations, except for a sherry vinegar sample (113 µg ml⁻¹), which required a high level of dilution before following the standard addition protocol.

Pesticide toxicity index for freshwater aquatic organisms

USGS Publications Warehouse

Munn, Mark D.; Gilliom, Robert J.

2001-01-01

The U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program is designed to assess current water-quality conditions, changes in water quality over time, and the effects of natural and human factors on water quality for the Nation's streams and ground-water resources. For streams, one of the most difficult parts of the assessment is to link chemical conditions to effects on aquatic biota, particularly for pesticides, which tend to occur in streams as complex mixtures with strong seasonal patterns. A Pesticide Toxicity Index (PTI) was developed that combines pesticide exposure of aquatic biota (measured concentrations of pesticides in stream water) with toxicity estimates (standard endpoints from laboratory bioassays) to produce a single index value for a sample or site. The development of the PTI was limited to pesticide compounds routinely measured in NAWQA studies and to toxicity data readily available from existing databases. Qualifying toxicity data were found for one or more types of test organisms for 75 of the 83 pesticide compounds measured in NAWQA samples, but with a wide range of bioassays per compound (1 to 65). There were a total of 2,824 bioassays for the 75 compounds, including 287 48-hour EC50 values (concentration at which 50 percent of test organisms exhibit a nonlethal response) for freshwater cladocerans, 585 96-hour LC50 values (concentration lethal to 50 percent of test organisms) for freshwater benthic invertebrates, and 1,952 96-hour LC50 values for freshwater fish. The PTI for a particular sample is the sum of toxicity quotients (measured concentration divided by the median toxicity concentration from bioassays) for each detected pesticide. The PTI can be calculated for specific groups of pesticides and for specific taxonomic groups.While the PTI does not determine whether water in a sample is toxic, its values can be used to rank or compare the toxicity of samples or sites on a relative basis for use in further analysis or additional assessments. The PTI approach may be useful as a basis for comparing the potential significance of pesticides in different streams on a common basis, for evaluating relations between pesticide exposure and observed biological conditions, and for prioritizing where further studies are most needed.

Effect of freezing time on macronutrients and energy content of breastmilk.

PubMed

García-Lara, Nadia Raquel; Escuder-Vieco, Diana; García-Algar, Oscar; De la Cruz, Javier; Lora, David; Pallás-Alonso, Carmen

2012-08-01

In neonatal units and human milk banks freezing breastmilk at less than -20 °C is the choice for preserving it. Scientific evidence in relation to the loss of nutritional quality during freezing is rare. Our main aim in this study is to determine the effect of freezing time up to 3 months on the content of fat, total nitrogen, lactose, and energy. Our secondary aim is to assess whether ultrasonic homogenization of samples enables a more suitable reading of breastmilk macronutrients with a human milk analyzer (HMA) (MIRIS, Uppsala, Sweden). Refrigerated breastmilk samples were collected. Each sample was divided into six pairs of aliquots. One pair was analyzed on day 0, and the remaining pairs were frozen and analyzed, one each at 7, 15, 30, 60, and 90 days later. For each pair, one aliquot was homogenized by stirring, and the other by applying ultrasound. Samples were analyzed with the HMA. By 3 months from freezing with the two homogenization methods, we observed a relevant and significant decline in the concentration of fat and energy content. The modification of total nitrogen and lactose was not constant and of lower magnitude. The absolute concentration of all macronutrients and calories was greater with ultrasonic homogenization. After 3 months from freezing at -20 °C, an important decrease in fat and caloric content is observed. Correct homogenization is fundamental for correct nutritional analysis.

The Role of Concentration and Solvent Character in the Molecular Organization of Humic Acids.

PubMed

Klučáková, Martina; Věžníková, Kateřina

2016-10-27

The molecular organization of humic acids in different aqueous solutions was studied over a wide concentration range (0.01-10 g·dm -3 ). Solutions of humic acids were prepared in three different media: NaOH, NaCl, and NaOH neutralized by HCl after dissolution of the humic sample. Potentiometry, conductometry, densitometry, and high resolution ultrasound spectrometry were used in order to investigate conformational changes in the humic systems. The molecular organization of humic acids in the studied systems could be divided into three concentration ranges. The rearrangements were observed at concentrations of ~0.02 g·dm -3 and ~1 g·dm -3 . The first "switch-over point" was connected with changes in the hydration shells of humic particles resulting in changes in their elasticity. The compressibility of water in the hydration shells is less than the compressibility of bulk water. The transfer of hydration water into bulk water increased the total compressibility of the solution, reducing the ultrasonic velocity. The aggregation of humic particles and the formation of rigid structures in systems with concentrations higher than 1 g·dm -3 was detected.

Interactions among the branched-chain amino acids and their effects on methionine utilization in growing pigs: effects on plasma amino- and keto-acid concentrations and branched-chain keto-acid dehydrogenase activity.

PubMed

Langer, S; Scislowski, P W; Brown, D S; Dewey, P; Fuller, M F

2000-01-01

The present experiment was designed to elucidate the mechanism of the methionine-sparing effect of excess branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) reported in the previous paper (Langer & Fuller, 2000). Twelve growing gilts (30-35 kg) were prepared with arterial catheters. After recovery, they received for 7 d a semipurified diet with a balanced amino acid pattern. On the 7th day blood samples were taken before (16 h postabsorptive) and after the morning meal (4 h postprandial). The animals were then divided into three groups and received for a further 7 d a methionine-limiting diet (80% of requirement) (1) without any amino acid excess; (2) with excess leucine (50% over requirement); or (3) with excesses of all three BCAA (leucine, isoleucine, valine, each 50% over the requirement). On the 7th day blood samples were taken as in the first period, after which the animals were killed and liver and muscle samples taken. Plasma amino acid and branched-chain keto acid (BCKA) concentrations in the blood and branched-chain keto-acid dehydrogenase (BCKDH; EC 1.2.4.4) activity in liver and muscle homogenates were determined. Compared with those on the balanced diet, pigs fed on methionine-limiting diets had significantly lower (P < 0.05) plasma methionine concentrations in the postprandial but not in the postabsorptive state. There was no effect of either leucine or a mixture of all three BCAA fed in excess on plasma methionine concentrations. Excess dietary leucine reduced (P < 0.05) the plasma concentrations of isoleucine and valine in both the postprandial and postabsorptive states. Plasma concentrations of the BCKA reflected the changes in the corresponding amino acids. Basal BCKDH activity in the liver and total BCKDH activity in the biceps femoris muscle were significantly (P < 0.05) increased by excesses of leucine or all BCAA.

The PK/PD Interactions of Doxycycline against Mycoplasma gallisepticum

PubMed Central

Zhang, Nan; Gu, Xiaoyan; Ye, Xiaomei; Wu, Xun; Zhang, Bingxu; Zhang, Longfei; Shen, Xiangguang; Jiang, Hongxia; Ding, Huanzhong

2016-01-01

Mycoplasma gallisepticum is one of the most important pathogens that cause chronic respiratory disease in chicken. This study investigated the antibacterial activity of doxycycline against M. gallisepticum strain S6. In static time–killing studies with constant antibiotic concentrations [0–64 minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)], M. gallisepticum colonies were quantified and kill rates were calculated to estimate the drug effect. The half-life of doxycycline in chicken was 6.51 ± 0.63 h. An in vitro dynamic model (the drug concentrations are fluctuant) was also established and two half-lives of 6.51 and 12 h were simulated. The samples were collected for drug concentration determination and viable counting of M. gallisepticum. In static time–killing studies, doxycycline produced a maximum antimycoplasmal effect of 5.62log10 (CFU/mL) reduction and the maximum kill rate was 0.11 h−1. In the in vitro dynamic model, doxycycline had a mycoplasmacidal activity in the two regimens, and the maximum antimycoplasmal effects were 4.1 and 4.75log10 (CFU/mL) reduction, respectively. Furthermore, the cumulative percentage of time over a 48-h period that the drug concentration exceeds the MIC (%T > MIC) was the pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic index that best correlated with antimicrobial efficacy (R2 = 0.986, compared with 0.897 for the peak level divided by the MIC and 0.953 for the area under the concentration–time curve over 48 h divided by the MIC). The estimated %T > MIC values for 0log10 (CFU/mL) reduction, 2log10 (CFU/mL) reduction and 3log10 (CFU/mL) reduction were 32.48, 45.68, and 54.36%, respectively, during 48 h treatment period of doxycycline. In conclusion, doxycycline shows excellent effectiveness and time-dependent characteristics against M. gallisepticum strain S6 in vitro. Additionally, these results will guide optimal dosing strategies of doxycycline in M. gallisepticum infection. PMID:27199972

A microbiological method for determining serum levels of broad spectrum β-lactam antibiotics in critically ill patients.

PubMed

Fridlund, Jimmy; Woksepp, Hanna; Schön, Thomas

2016-10-01

Recent studies show that suboptimal blood levels of β-lactam antibiotics are present in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. A common reference method for assessing drug concentrations is liquid chromatography coupled with mass-spectrometry (LC-MS) which is highly accurate but rarely available outside reference centres. Thus, our aim was to develop a microbiological method for monitoring β-lactam antibiotic serum levels which could be used at any hospital with a microbiological laboratory. The method was developed as a 96-well broth microdilution format to assess the concentrations of cefotaxime (CTX), meropenem (MER), and piperacillin (PIP). Patient serum containing antibiotics were diluted in suspensions of bacteria with known minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Serum antibiotic concentrations were calculated by dividing the MIC with the dilution factor at which the serum inhibited growth of the bacterial suspension. Serum (n=88) from ICU patients at four hospitals in south-east Sweden were analysed and compared to LC-MS analysis. The overall accuracy and precision for spiked samples and patient samples was within the pre-set target of ±20.0% for all drugs. There was a significant correlation between the microbiological assay and LC-MS for the patient samples (CTX: r=0.86, n=31; MER: r=0.96, n=11; PIP: r=0.88, n=39) and the agreement around the clinical cut-off for CTX (4.0mg/l), MER (2.0mg/l) and PIP (16.0mg/l) was 90%, 100% and 87%, respectively. The microbiological method has a performance for determination of serum levels of meropenem, piperacillin and cefotaxime suitable for clinical use. It is an inexpensive method applicable in any microbiology laboratory. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Comparative evaluation of human pulp tissue dissolution by different concentrations of chlorine dioxide, calcium hypochlorite and sodium hypochlorite: An in vitro study

PubMed Central

Taneja, Sonali; Mishra, Neha; Malik, Shubhra

2014-01-01

Introduction: Irrigation plays an indispensable role in removal of tissue remnants and debris from the complicated root canal system. This study compared the human pulp tissue dissolution by different concentrations of chlorine dioxide, calcium hypochlorite and sodium hypochlorite. Materials and Methods: Pulp tissue was standardized to a weight of 9 mg for each sample. In all,60 samples obtained were divided into 6 groups according to the irrigating solution used- 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 5.25% NaOCl, 5% calcium hypochlorite (Ca(OCl)2), 10% Ca(OCl)2, 5%chlorine dioxide (ClO2) and 13% ClO2. Pulp tissue was placed in each test tube carrying irrigants of measured volume (5ml) according to their specified subgroup time interval: 30 minutes (Subgroup A) and 60 minutes (Subgroup B). The solution from each sample test tube was filtered and was left for drying overnight. The residual weight was calculated by filtration method. Results: Mean tissue dissolution increases with increase in time period. Results showed 5.25% NaOCl to be most effective at both time intervals followed by 2.5% NaOCl at 60 minutes, 10%Ca(OCl)2 and 13% ClO2 at 60 minutes. Least amount of tissue dissolving ability was demonstrated by 5% Ca(OCl)2 and 5% ClO2 at 30 minutes. Distilled water showed no pulp tissue dissolution. Conclusion: Withinthe limitations of the study, NaOCl most efficiently dissolved the pulp tissue at both concentrations and at both time intervals. Mean tissue dissolution by Ca(OCl)2 and ClO2 gradually increased with time and with their increase in concentration. PMID:25506141

Can the prevalence of high blood drug concentrations in a population be estimated by analysing oral fluid? A study of tetrahydrocannabinol and amphetamine.

PubMed

Gjerde, Hallvard; Verstraete, Alain

2010-02-25

To study several methods for estimating the prevalence of high blood concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol and amphetamine in a population of drug users by analysing oral fluid (saliva). Five methods were compared, including simple calculation procedures dividing the drug concentrations in oral fluid by average or median oral fluid/blood (OF/B) drug concentration ratios or linear regression coefficients, and more complex Monte Carlo simulations. Populations of 311 cannabis users and 197 amphetamine users from the Rosita-2 Project were studied. The results of a feasibility study suggested that the Monte Carlo simulations might give better accuracies than simple calculations if good data on OF/B ratios is available. If using only 20 randomly selected OF/B ratios, a Monte Carlo simulation gave the best accuracy but not the best precision. Dividing by the OF/B regression coefficient gave acceptable accuracy and precision, and was therefore the best method. None of the methods gave acceptable accuracy if the prevalence of high blood drug concentrations was less than 15%. Dividing the drug concentration in oral fluid by the OF/B regression coefficient gave an acceptable estimation of high blood drug concentrations in a population, and may therefore give valuable additional information on possible drug impairment, e.g. in roadside surveys of drugs and driving. If good data on the distribution of OF/B ratios are available, a Monte Carlo simulation may give better accuracy. 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cytotoxicity of Light-Cured Dental Materials according to Different Sample Preparation Methods

PubMed Central

Lee, Myung-Jin; Kim, Mi-Joo; Kwon, Jae-Sung; Lee, Sang-Bae; Kim, Kwang-Mahn

2017-01-01

Dental light-cured resins can undergo different degrees of polymerization when applied in vivo. When polymerization is incomplete, toxic monomers may be released into the oral cavity. The present study assessed the cytotoxicity of different materials, using sample preparation methods that mirror clinical conditions. Composite and bonding resins were used and divided into four groups according to sample preparation method: uncured; directly cured samples, which were cured after being placed on solidified agar; post-cured samples were polymerized before being placed on agar; and “removed unreacted layer” samples had their oxygen-inhibition layer removed after polymerization. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using an agar diffusion test, MTT assay, and confocal microscopy. Uncured samples were the most cytotoxic, while removed unreacted layer samples were the least cytotoxic (p < 0.05). In the MTT assay, cell viability increased significantly in every group as the concentration of the extracts decreased (p < 0.05). Extracts from post-cured and removed unreacted layer samples of bonding resin were less toxic than post-cured and removed unreacted layer samples of composite resin. Removal of the oxygen-inhibition layer resulted in the lowest cytotoxicity. Clinicians should remove unreacted monomers on the resin surface immediately after restoring teeth with light-curing resin to improve the restoration biocompatibility. PMID:28772647

Ground-water flow and water quality in the sand aquifer of Long Beach Peninsula, Washington

USGS Publications Warehouse

Thomas, B.E.

1995-01-01

This report describes a study that was undertaken to improve the understanding of ground-water flow and water quality in the coastal sand aquifer of the Long Beach Peninsula of southwestern Washington. Data collected for the study include monthly water levels at 103 wells and 28 surface-water sites during 1992, and water-quality samples from about 40 wells and 13 surface-water sites in February and July 1992. Ground water generally flows at right angles to a ground-water divide along the spine of the low-lying peninsula. Historical water-level data indicate that there was no long-term decline in the water table from 1974 to 1992. The water quality of shallow ground water was generally good with a few local problems. Natural concentrations of dissolved iron were higher than 0.3 milligrams per liter in about one-third of the samples. The dissolved-solids concentrations were generally low, with a range of 56 to 218 milligrams per liter. No appreciable amount of seawater has intruded into the sand aquifer, chloride concentrations were low, with a maximum of 52 milligrams per liter. Agricultural activities do not appear to have significantly affected the quality of ground water. Concentrations of nutrients were low in the cranberry-growing areas, and selected pesticides were not found above the analytical detection limits. Septic systems probably caused an increase in the concentration of nitrate from medians of less than 0.05 milligrams per liter in areas of low population density to 0.74 milligrams per liter in areas of high density.

Water- and air-quality monitoring of the Sweetwater Reservoir Watershed, San Diego County, California-Phase One results, continued, 1999-2001

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mendez, Gregory O.; Foreman, William T.; Sidhu, Jagdeep S.; Majewski, Michael S.

2007-01-01

In 1998, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Sweetwater Authority, began a study to assess the overall health of the Sweetwater watershed with respect to chemical contamination. The study included regular sampling of air and water at Sweetwater Reservoir for chemical contaminants, including volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides, and major and trace elements. Background water samples were collected at Loveland Reservoir for volatile organic compounds and pesticides. The purpose of this study was to monitor changes in contaminant composition and concentration in the air and water resulting from the construction and operation of State Route 125 near Sweetwater Reservoir. To accomplish this, the study was divided into two phases. Phase One sampling was designed to establish baseline conditions for target compounds in terms of detection frequency and concentration in air and water. Phase Two sampling is planned to continue at the established monitoring sites during and after construction of State Route 125 to assess the chemical impact this roadway alignment project may have on the water quality in the reservoir. In addition to the ongoing data collection, several special studies were initiated to assess the occurrence of specific chemicals of concern, such as low-use pesticides, trace metals, and wastewater compounds. This report describes the study design, and the sampling and analytical methods, and presents the results for the second and third years of the study (October 1999 to September 2001). Data collected during the first year of sampling (October 1998 to September 1999) were published in 2002.

Pesticide toxicity index for freshwater aquatic organisms, 2nd edition

USGS Publications Warehouse

Munn, Mark D.; Gilliom, Robert J.; Moran, Patrick W.; Nowell, Lisa H.

2006-01-01

The U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program is designed to assess current water-quality conditions, changes in water quality over time, and the effects of natural and human factors on water quality for the Nation's streams and ground-water resources. For streams, one of the most difficult parts of the assessment is to link chemical conditions to effects on aquatic biota, particularly for pesticides, which tend to occur in streams as complex mixtures with strong seasonal patterns. A Pesticide Toxicity Index (PTI) was developed that combines pesticide exposure of aquatic biota (measured concentrations of pesticides in stream water) with acute toxicity estimates (standard endpoints from laboratory bioassays) to produce a single index value for a sample or site. The development of the PTI was limited to pesticide compounds routinely measured in NAWQA studies and to toxicity data readily available from existing databases. Qualifying toxicity data were found for one or more types of test organisms for 124 of the 185 pesticide compounds measured in NAWQA samples, but with a wide range of available bioassays per compound (1 to 232). In the databases examined, there were a total of 3,669 bioassays for the 124 compounds, including 398 48-hour EC50 values (concentration at which 50 percent of test organisms exhibit a sublethal response) for freshwater cladocerans, 699 96-hour LC50 values (concentration lethal to 50 percent of test organisms) for freshwater benthic invertebrates, and 2,572 96-hour LC50 values for freshwater fish. The PTI for a particular sample is the sum of toxicity quotients (measured concentration divided by the median toxicity concentration from bioassays) for each detected pesticide, and thus, is based on the concentration addition model of pesticide toxicity. The PTI can be calculated for specific groups of pesticides and for specific taxonomic groups. Although the PTI does not determine whether water in a sample is toxic to aquatic organisms, its values can be used to rank or compare the toxicity of samples or sites on a relative basis for use in further analysis or additional assessments. The PTI approach may be useful as a basis for comparing the potential significance of pesticides in different streams on a common basis, for evaluating relations between pesticide exposure and observed biological conditions, and for prioritizing where further studies are most needed.

Hydrogeological investigation at Site 5, Willow Grove Naval Air Station/Joint Reserve Base, Horsham Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sloto, Ronald A.

2002-01-01

The U.S. Geological Survey conducted borehole geophysical logging, collected and analyzed water-level data, and sampled sections of a rock core to determine the concentration of volatile organic compounds in the aquifer matrix of the Stockton Formation. Borehole geophysical logs were run in three monitor wells. At well 05MW04I, the vertical gradient was upward at depths above 42 feet below land surface (ft bls), downward between 42 and 82 ft bls, and upward below 82 ft bls. At well 05MW05I, a downward vertical gradient was present. At well 05MW12I, the vertical gradient was downward above 112 ft bls and upward below 112 ft bls.Three water-bearing fractures in a 17-foot long rock core from 23.5 to 40.5 ft bls were identified and sampled. Three samples were analyzed from each water-bearing fracture—at the fracture face, 2 centimeters (cm) below the fracture, and 4 cm below the fracture. Fifteen compounds were detected; however, concentrations of seven compounds were less than 1 microgram per kilogram (mg/kg) when detected. Concentrations of benzene (from 0.39 to 3.3 mg/kg), 1,1-dichloroethene (1,1-DCE) (from 0.15 to 13 mg/kg), 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA) (from 0.17 to 22 mg/kg), and trichloroethylene (TCE) (from 0.092 to 9.6 mg/kg) were detected in all samples. The highest concentrations detected were for toluene, which was detected at a concentration of 32 and 86 mg/kg in the samples from unweathered sandstone at 2 and 4 cm below the fracture, respectively. Concentrations generally decreased with distance below the fracture in the mudstone samples. Concentrations of benzene and toluene increased with distance below the fractures in the unweathered sandstone samples. Concentrations of 1,1-DCE, TCA, and TCE were higher in the mudstone samples than in the samples from sandstone. Toluene concentrations were higher in unweathered sandstone than in weathered sandstone or mudstone.The effect of the pumping of Horsham Water and Sewer Authority public supply well 26 (HWSA-26), 0.2 mile southwest of the base boundary, on groundwater levels on the base was determined by shutting the well down for 6 days to allow water levels to recover. Water levels in 22 nearby wells were measured. The only well (02MW01I) that showed an unambiguous response to the shutdown of well HWSA-26 is 1,350 feet directly along strike from well HWSA-26. The recovery of well 05MW11I in response to the shutdown of well HWSA-26 is masked by recharge from snowmelt but probably does not exceed about 0.2 feet on the basis of the water level in well 05MW11I, which showed a response to the pumping of well HWSA-26 that ranged from 0.5 to 0.15 foot.Horizontal gradients differ with depth, and the rate and direction of ground-water flow and contaminant movement is depth dependent. The potentiometric-surface map for water levels measured in wells screened between 5 and 44 ft bls in the aquifer shows a ground-water mound that is the high point on a regional ground-water divide. From this divide, ground water flows both northwest toward Park Creek and southeast toward Pennypack Creek. The hydraulic gradient around this mound is relatively flat to the southeast and particularly flat to the northwest. The potentiometric-surface map for water levels measured in wells screened between 40 and 100 ft bls in the aquifer shows a very flat hydraulic gradient. Differences in the elevation of the potentiometric surface are less than 2 feet. The potentiometric-surface map for water levels measured in wells screened between 105 and 179 ft bls in the aquifer shows a steep hydraulic gradient between Sites 5 and 2 and a relatively flat hydraulic gradient between Sites 5 and 3. Water levels measured on October 7, 1999, showed downward vertical head gradients for all well clusters at Site 5. Vertical gradients ranged from 0.01 at well cluster 05MW10 to 0.2 at cluster 05MW11. Most gradients were between 0.01 and 0.026. Vertical head gradients vary with time. The variability is caused by a difference in the magnitude of water-level fluctuations between shallow and the deep fractures. The difference in the magnitude of water-level fluctuations is because of differences in lithology and aquifer storativity.

Lithium

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ober, J.

1998-01-01

The lithium industry can be divided into two sectors: ore concentrate producers and chemical producers. Ore concentrate producers mine lithium minerals. They beneficiate the ores to produce material for use in ceramics and glass manufacturing.

USGS-NoGaDat - A global dataset of noble gas concentrations and their isotopic ratios in volcanic systems

USGS Publications Warehouse

Abedini, Atosa A.; Hurwitz, S.; Evans, William C.

2006-01-01

The database (Version 1.0) is a MS-Excel file that contains close to 5,000 entries of published information on noble gas concentrations and isotopic ratios from volcanic systems in Mid-Ocean ridges, ocean islands, seamounts, and oceanic and continental arcs (location map). Where they were available we also included the isotopic ratios of strontium, neodymium, and carbon. The database is sub-divided both into material sampled (e.g., volcanic glass, different minerals, fumarole, spring), and into different tectonic settings (MOR, ocean islands, volcanic arcs). Included is also a reference list in MS-Word and pdf from which the data was derived. The database extends previous compilations by Ozima (1994), Farley and Neroda (1998), and Graham (2002). The extended database allows scientists to test competing hypotheses, and it provides a framework for analysis of noble gas data during periods of volcanic unrest.

An astronomer's guide to period searching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schwarzenberg-Czerny, A.

2003-03-01

We concentrate on analysis of unevenly sampled time series, interrupted by periodic gaps, as often encountered in astronomy. While some of our conclusions may appear surprising, all are based on classical statistical principles of Fisher & successors. Except for discussion of the resolution issues, it is best for the reader to forget temporarily about Fourier transforms and to concentrate on problems of fitting of a time series with a model curve. According to their statistical content we divide the issues into several sections, consisting of: (ii) statistical numerical aspects of model fitting, (iii) evaluation of fitted models as hypotheses testing, (iv) the role of the orthogonal models in signal detection (v) conditions for equivalence of periodograms (vi) rating sensitivity by test power. An experienced observer working with individual objects would benefit little from formalized statistical approach. However, we demonstrate the usefulness of this approach in evaluation of performance of periodograms and in quantitative design of large variability surveys.

[The rabbit experimental study for toxicokinetics of chlorpyrifos impacted by hemoperfusion].

PubMed

Guo, Xiang; Chen, Xiao; Zhang, Hongshun; Long, Xin; He, Qian; Sun, Chengye; Huang, Xianqing; He, Jian

2015-11-01

To investigate toxicokinetic parameters impacted by hemoperfusion after oral chlorpyrifos exposure, to investigate the adsorption effect of hemoperhusion for chlorpyrifos poisoning. 12 rabbits were divided into two groups after oral exposure with chlorpyrifos 300 mg/kg body weight. Control group: without hemoperfusion; hemoperfusion group: hemoperfusion starts 0.5 h after chlorpyrifos exposure and lasts for 2h. Blood samples were collected at different times, concentrations of chlorpyrifos were tested by GC, then, toxicokinetic parameterswere calculated and analysis by DAS3.0. In hemoperfusion group, peak time was (7.19±3.74) h, peak concentrations was (1.37±0.56) mg/L, clearance rate was (13.93±10.27) L/h/kg, apparent volume of distribution was (418.18±147.15) L/kg The difference of these parameter were statistically significant compared with control group (P<0.05). Hmoperfusion will decrease the inner exposure and load dose of rabbits with chlorpyrifos poisoning.

Precision, accuracy, cross reactivity and comparability of serum indices measurement on Abbott Architect c8000, Beckman Coulter AU5800 and Roche Cobas 6000 c501 clinical chemistry analyzers.

PubMed

Nikolac Gabaj, Nora; Miler, Marijana; Vrtarić, Alen; Hemar, Marina; Filipi, Petra; Kocijančić, Marija; Šupak Smolčić, Vesna; Ćelap, Ivana; Šimundić, Ana-Maria

2018-04-25

The aim of our study was to perform verification of serum indices on three clinical chemistry platforms. This study was done on three analyzers: Abbott Architect c8000, Beckman Coulter AU5800 (BC) and Roche Cobas 6000 c501. The following analytical specifications were verified: precision (two patient samples), accuracy (sample with the highest concentration of interferent was serially diluted and measured values compared to theoretical values), comparability (120 patients samples) and cross reactivity (samples with increasing concentrations of interferent were divided in two aliquots and remaining interferents were added in each aliquot. Measurements were done before and after adding interferents). Best results for precision were obtained for the H index (0.72%-2.08%). Accuracy for the H index was acceptable for Cobas and BC, while on Architect, deviations in the high concentration range were observed (y=0.02 [0.01-0.07]+1.07 [1.06-1.08]x). All three analyzers showed acceptable results in evaluating accuracy of L index and unacceptable results for I index. The H index was comparable between BC and both, Architect (Cohen's κ [95% CI]=0.795 [0.692-0.898]) and Roche (Cohen's κ [95% CI]=0.825 [0.729-0.922]), while Roche and Architect were not comparable. The I index was not comparable between all analyzer combinations, while the L index was only comparable between Abbott and BC. Cross reactivity analysis mostly showed that serum indices measurement is affected when a combination of interferences is present. There is heterogeneity between analyzers in the hemolysis, icteria, lipemia (HIL) quality performance. Verification of serum indices in routine work is necessary to establish analytical specifications.

Time trend tendency (1988-2014 years) of organochlorine pesticide levels in the adipose tissue of Veracruz inhabitants.

PubMed

Calderón-Garcidueñas, Ana Laura; Waliszewski, Stefan M; Ruiz-Ramos, Rubén; Del Carmen Martinez-Valenzuela, María

2018-03-10

The population that lives in areas where organochlorine pesticides were spread in the past is still exposed to them through contaminated food, particulate matter, and vapors. Due to their lipophilic properties and resistance to metabolic reactions, they accumulate in tissues and fluids rich in lipids. The aim of the study was to monitor the concentrations of organochlorine pesticides in forensic adipose tissue samples of adult inhabitants of Veracruz City, Mexico, and compare their time trend levels from 1988 to 2014. During the study, hexachlorobenzene (HCB); lindane; β-hexachorocyclohexane; p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (pp'DDE); p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (p,p'-DDT); and o,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (o,p'-DDT) were determined. Our survey was divided into two periods: first, from the years 1988 to 1999, during which DDT was allowed to fight malaria and dengue vectors and the second from the years 2001 to 2014, after the DDT ban. A total of 1435 samples were analyzed. There were substantial differences in the forecasted time trend values of p,p'-DDE and p,p'-DDT in human adipose tissue samples in the two different periods. During the first period, p,p'-DDE decrease time trend was 1.198 mg/kg on lipid base per year; for the second one, decrease was 0.128 mg/kg on lipid base per year. p,p'-DDT decreased 0.507 mg/kg on lipid base during the first period and 0.039 mg/kg on lipid base for the second. The different concentrations may be explained by the cessation of fresh exposure after the first period and a more equilibrated decontamination tendency during the second period. This model was useful to show the decrease in the concentration of pesticides in human adipose tissue samples.

Copper Capture in a Thioether-Functionalized Porous Polymer Applied to the Detection of Wilson’s Disease

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Copper is an essential nutrient for life, but at the same time, hyperaccumulation of this redox-active metal in biological fluids and tissues is a hallmark of pathologies such as Wilson’s and Menkes diseases, various neurodegenerative diseases, and toxic environmental exposure. Diseases characterized by copper hyperaccumulation are currently challenging to identify due to costly diagnostic tools that involve extensive technical workup. Motivated to create simple yet highly selective and sensitive diagnostic tools, we have initiated a program to develop new materials that can enable monitoring of copper levels in biological fluid samples without complex and expensive instrumentation. Herein, we report the design, synthesis, and properties of PAF-1-SMe, a robust three-dimensional porous aromatic framework (PAF) densely functionalized with thioether groups for selective capture and concentration of copper from biofluids as well as aqueous samples. PAF-1-SMe exhibits a high selectivity for copper over other biologically relevant metals, with a saturation capacity reaching over 600 mg/g. Moreover, the combination of PAF-1-SMe as a material for capture and concentration of copper from biological samples with 8-hydroxyquinoline as a colorimetric indicator affords a method for identifying aberrant elevations of copper in urine samples from mice with Wilson’s disease and also tracing exogenously added copper in serum. This divide-and-conquer sensing strategy, where functional and robust porous materials serve as molecular recognition elements that can be used to capture and concentrate analytes in conjunction with molecular indicators for signal readouts, establishes a valuable starting point for the use of porous polymeric materials in noninvasive diagnostic applications. PMID:27285482

Lactate and the Lactate-to-Pyruvate Molar Ratio Cannot Be Used as Independent Biomarkers for Monitoring Brain Energetic Metabolism: A Microdialysis Study in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injuries

PubMed Central

Sahuquillo, Juan; Merino, Maria-Angels; Sánchez-Guerrero, Angela; Arikan, Fuat; Vidal-Jorge, Marian; Martínez-Valverde, Tamara; Rey, Anna; Riveiro, Marilyn; Poca, Maria-Antonia

2014-01-01

Background For decades, lactate has been considered an excellent biomarker for oxygen limitation and therefore of organ ischemia. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the frequency of increased brain lactate levels and the LP ratio (LPR) in a cohort of patients with severe or moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) subjected to brain microdialysis monitoring to analyze the agreement between these two biomarkers and to indicate brain energy metabolism dysfunction. Methods Forty-six patients with an admission Glasgow coma scale score of ≤13 after resuscitation admitted to a dedicated 10-bed Neurotraumatology Intensive Care Unit were included, and 5305 verified samples of good microdialysis data were analyzed. Results Lactate levels were above 2.5 mmol/L in 56.9% of the samples. The relationships between lactate and the LPR could not be adequately modeled by any linear or non-linear model. Neither Cohen’s kappa nor Gwet’s statistic showed an acceptable agreement between both biomarkers to classify the samples in regard to normal or abnormal metabolism. The dataset was divided into four patterns defined by the lactate concentrations and the LPR. A potential interpretation for these patterns is suggested and discussed. Pattern 4 (low pyruvate levels) was found in 10.7% of the samples and was characterized by a significantly low concentration of brain glucose compared with the other groups. Conclusions Our study shows that metabolic abnormalities are frequent in the macroscopically normal brain in patients with traumatic brain injuries and a very poor agreement between lactate and the LPR when classifying metabolism. The concentration of lactate in the dialysates must be interpreted while taking into consideration the LPR to distinguish between anaerobic metabolism and aerobic hyperglycolysis. PMID:25025772

Should acidification of urine be performed before the analysis of calcium, phosphate and magnesium in the presence of crystals?

PubMed

Pratumvinit, Busadee; Reesukumal, Kanit; Wongkrajang, Preechaya; Khejonnit, Varanya; Klinbua, Cherdsak; Dangneawnoi, Weerapol

2013-11-15

Acidification of urine has been recommended before testing for calcium, phosphate, and magnesium. We investigated the necessity of pre-analytical acidification in both crystallized and non-crystallized urine samples. From 130 urine samples obtained via routine urine analysis, 65 (50%) samples were classified as non-crystallized. All samples were divided into three groups: untreated samples, acidified samples with HCl, and acidified samples after 1h room-temperature incubation. Urine samples were measured for calcium, phosphate, magnesium, and creatinine using Modular P800 and were examined for crystals using light microscopy. In crystallized samples, acidified samples with 1h incubation had significantly higher Ca/Cr, P/Cr, and Mg/Cr than did untreated samples with mean differences of 0.04, 0.03, and 0.01 mg/mg, respectively (P<0.001). In acidified samples that were analyzed immediately, crystallized samples had lower calcium concentrations than those of acidified samples with 1h incubation and a mean difference of 0.21 mg/dl (P = 0.025). None of the sample differences which exceeded the critical difference of urinary Ca, P and Mg was observed. Acidification of urine should be performed before the measurement of Ca, P, and Mg in the presence of urinary crystals. However, the lack of an acidification process does not result in a clinically significant change. © 2013.

Effect of different concentrations of soybean lecithin and virgin coconut oil in Tris-based extender on the quality of chilled and frozen-thawed bull semen

PubMed Central

Tarig, A. A.; Wahid, H.; Rosnina, Y.; Yimer, N.; Goh, Y. M.; Baiee, F. H.; Khumran, A. M.; Salman, H.; Assi, M. A.; Ebrahimi, M.

2017-01-01

Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of soybean lecithin (SL) and virgin coconut oil (VCO) in Tris-based extender on chilled and frozen-thawed bull semen quality parameters. Materials and Methods: A total of 24 ejaculates were collected from four bulls via an electroejaculator. Semen samples were diluted with 2% VCO in Tris-based extender which consists of various concentrations of SL (1, 1.25, 1.5, and 1.75%). A 20% egg yolk in Tris used as a positive control (C+). The diluted semen samples were divided into two fractions; one for chilling which were stored at 4°C for 24, 72, and 144 h before evaluated for semen quality parameters. The second fraction used for freezing was chilled for 3 h at 4°C, packed into 0.25 mL straws and then cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen. The samples were then evaluated after 7 and 14 days. Chilled and frozen semen samples were thawed at 37°C and assessed for general motility using computer-assisted semen analysis, viability, acrosome integrity and morphology (eosin-nigrosin stain), membrane integrity, and lipid peroxidation using thiobarbituric acid reaction test. Results: The results showed that all the quality parameters assessed were significantly (p<0.05) improved at 1.5% SL concentration in chilled semen. Treatment groups of 1, 1.25, 1.5, and 1.75% SL were higher in quality parameters than the control group (C+) in chilled semen. However, all the quality parameters in frozen-thawed semen were significantly higher in the C+ than the treated groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, supplementation of 1.5% SL in 2% VCO Tris-based extender enhanced the chilled bull semen. However, there was no marked improvement in the frozen-thawed quality parameters after treatment. PMID:28717321

Effect of different concentrations of soybean lecithin and virgin coconut oil in Tris-based extender on the quality of chilled and frozen-thawed bull semen.

PubMed

Tarig, A A; Wahid, H; Rosnina, Y; Yimer, N; Goh, Y M; Baiee, F H; Khumran, A M; Salman, H; Assi, M A; Ebrahimi, M

2017-06-01

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of soybean lecithin (SL) and virgin coconut oil (VCO) in Tris-based extender on chilled and frozen-thawed bull semen quality parameters. A total of 24 ejaculates were collected from four bulls via an electroejaculator. Semen samples were diluted with 2% VCO in Tris-based extender which consists of various concentrations of SL (1, 1.25, 1.5, and 1.75%). A 20% egg yolk in Tris used as a positive control (C+). The diluted semen samples were divided into two fractions; one for chilling which were stored at 4°C for 24, 72, and 144 h before evaluated for semen quality parameters. The second fraction used for freezing was chilled for 3 h at 4°C, packed into 0.25 mL straws and then cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen. The samples were then evaluated after 7 and 14 days. Chilled and frozen semen samples were thawed at 37°C and assessed for general motility using computer-assisted semen analysis, viability, acrosome integrity and morphology (eosin-nigrosin stain), membrane integrity, and lipid peroxidation using thiobarbituric acid reaction test. The results showed that all the quality parameters assessed were significantly (p<0.05) improved at 1.5% SL concentration in chilled semen. Treatment groups of 1, 1.25, 1.5, and 1.75% SL were higher in quality parameters than the control group (C+) in chilled semen. However, all the quality parameters in frozen-thawed semen were significantly higher in the C+ than the treated groups. In conclusion, supplementation of 1.5% SL in 2% VCO Tris-based extender enhanced the chilled bull semen. However, there was no marked improvement in the frozen-thawed quality parameters after treatment.

Correlation of cadmium and aluminum in blood samples of kidney disorder patients with drinking water and tobacco smoking: related health risk.

PubMed

Panhwar, Abdul Haleem; Kazi, Tasneem Gul; Afridi, Hassan Imran; Arain, Salma Aslam; Arain, Mariam Shahzadi; Brahaman, Kapil Dev; Naeemullah; Arain, Sadaf Sadia

2016-02-01

The combined exposure to aluminum (Al) and cadmium (Cd) causes more pronounced adverse health effects on humans. The kidneys are the main organs affected by internal exposure to Cd and Al via food and non-food items. The objective of present study was to measure the Al and Cd concentrations in cigarettes tobacco (branded and non-branded) and drinking water (domestic treated, ground and lake water) samples in southern part of Pakistan, to assess the risk due to ingestion of water and inhalation of cigarettes smoke containing high concentrations of both elements. The study population (kidney disorder and healthy) divided into two group based on consuming lake and ground water, while smoking non-branded cigarette as exposed, while drinking domestic treated water and smoking branded cigarette as non-exposed. Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry was used to determined Cd and Al concentrations in tobacco, drinking water and blood samples. The resulted data indicated that the levels of Al and Cd in lake and underground water were higher than the permissible limit in drinking water recommended by the World Health Organization. The biochemical parameters of exposed and referent patients, especially urinary N-acetyl-h-glucosaminidase, were used as a biomarkers of kidney disorder. Exposed kidney disorder patients have higher levels of Cd and Al than the exposed referents subjects, while difference was significant when compared to resulted data of non-exposed patients and referents (p = 0.01-0.001). The pearson correlation showed positive correlation between both toxic element concentrations in water, cigarettes versus blood samples of exposed subjects (r = 0.20-0.67 and 0.71-0.82), while lower values were observed for non-exposed subjects (r = 0.123-0.423 and 0.331-0.425), respectively.

An optimized network for phosphorus load monitoring for Lake Okeechobee, Florida

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gain, W.S.

1997-01-01

Phosphorus load data were evaluated for Lake Okeechobee, Florida, for water years 1982 through 1991. Standard errors for load estimates were computed from available phosphorus concentration and daily discharge data. Components of error were associated with uncertainty in concentration and discharge data and were calculated for existing conditions and for 6 alternative load-monitoring scenarios for each of 48 distinct inflows. Benefit-cost ratios were computed for each alternative monitoring scenario at each site by dividing estimated reductions in load uncertainty by the 5-year average costs of each scenario in 1992 dollars. Absolute and marginal benefit-cost ratios were compared in an iterative optimization scheme to determine the most cost-effective combination of discharge and concentration monitoring scenarios for the lake. If the current (1992) discharge-monitoring network around the lake is maintained, the water-quality sampling at each inflow site twice each year is continued, and the nature of loading remains the same, the standard error of computed mean-annual load is estimated at about 98 metric tons per year compared to an absolute loading rate (inflows and outflows) of 530 metric tons per year. This produces a relative uncertainty of nearly 20 percent. The standard error in load can be reduced to about 20 metric tons per year (4 percent) by adopting an optimized set of monitoring alternatives at a cost of an additional $200,000 per year. The final optimized network prescribes changes to improve both concentration and discharge monitoring. These changes include the addition of intensive sampling with automatic samplers at 11 sites, the initiation of event-based sampling by observers at another 5 sites, the continuation of periodic sampling 12 times per year at 1 site, the installation of acoustic velocity meters to improve discharge gaging at 9 sites, and the improvement of a discharge rating at 1 site.

Naturally occurring contaminants in the Piedmont and Blue Ridge crystalline-rock aquifers and Piedmont Early Mesozoic basin siliciclastic-rock aquifers, eastern United States, 1994–2008

USGS Publications Warehouse

Chapman, Melinda J.; Cravotta, Charles A.; Szabo, Zoltan; Lindsay, Bruce D.

2013-01-01

Groundwater quality and aquifer lithologies in the Piedmont and Blue Ridge Physiographic Provinces in the eastern United States vary widely as a result of complex geologic history. Bedrock composition (mineralogy) and geochemical conditions in the aquifer directly affect the occurrence (presence in rock and groundwater) and distribution (concentration and mobility) of potential naturally occurring contaminants, such as arsenic and radionuclides, in drinking water. To evaluate potential relations between aquifer lithology and the spatial distribution of naturally occurring contaminants, the crystalline-rock aquifers of the Piedmont and Blue Ridge Physiographic Provinces and the siliciclastic-rock aquifers of the Early Mesozoic basin of the Piedmont Physiographic Province were divided into 14 lithologic groups, each having from 1 to 16 lithochemical subgroups, based on primary rock type, mineralogy, and weathering potential. Groundwater-quality data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program from 1994 through 2008 from 346 wells and springs in various hydrogeologic and land-use settings from Georgia through New Jersey were compiled and analyzed for this study. Analyses for most constituents were for filtered samples, and, thus, the compiled data consist largely of dissolved concentrations. Concentrations were compared to criteria for protection of human health, such as U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) drinking water maximum contaminant levels and secondary maximum contaminant levels or health-based screening levels developed by the USGS NAWQA Program in cooperation with the USEPA, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and Oregon Health & Science University. Correlations among constituent concentrations, pH, and oxidation-reduction (redox) conditions were used to infer geochemical controls on constituent mobility within the aquifers. Of the 23 trace-element constituents evaluated, arsenic, manganese, and zinc were detected in one or more water samples at concentrations greater than established human health-based criteria. Arsenic concentrations typically were less than 1 microgram per liter (µg/L) in most groundwater samples; however, concentrations of arsenic greater than 1 µg/L frequently were detected in groundwater from clastic lacustrine sedimentary rocks of the Early Mesozoic basin aquifers and from metamorphosed clastic sedimentary rocks of the Piedmont and Blue Ridge crystalline rock aquifers. Groundwater from these rock units had elevated pH compared to other rock units evaluated in this study. Of the nine samples for which arsenic concentration was greater than 10 µg/L, six were classified as oxic and three as anoxic, and seven had pH of 7.2 or greater. Manganese concentrations typically were less than 10 µg/L in most samples; however, 8.3 percent of samples from the Piedmont and Blue Ridge crystalline-rock aquifers and 3.0 percent of samples from the Early Mesozoic basin siliciclastic rock aquifers had manganese concentrations greater than the 300-µg/L health-based screening level. The positive correlation of manganese with iron and ammonia and the negative correlation of manganese with dissolved oxygen and nitrate are consistent with the reductive dissolution of manganese oxides in the aquifer. Zinc concentrations typically were less than 10 µg/L in the groundwater samples considered in the study, but 0.4 percent and 5.5 percent of the samples had concentrations greater than the health-based screening level of 2,000 µg/L and one-tenth of the health-based screening level, respectively. The mean rank concentration of zinc in groundwater from the quartz-rich sedimentary rock lithologic group was greater than that for other lithologic groups even after eliminating samples collected from wells constructed with galvanized casing. Approximately 90 percent of 275 groundwater samples had radon-222 concentrations that were greater than the proposed alternative maximum contaminant level of 300 picocuries per liter. In contrast, only 2.0 percent of 98 samples had combined radium (radium-226 plus radium-228) concentrations greater than the maximum contaminant level of 5.0 picocuries per liter, and 0.6 percent of 310 samples had uranium concentrations greater than the maximum contaminant level of 30 µg/L. Radon concentrations were highest in the Piedmont and Blue Ridge crystalline-rock aquifers, especially in granite, and elevated median concentrations were noted in the Piedmont Early Mesozoic basin aquifers, but without the extreme maximum concentrations found in the crystalline rocks (granites). Although the siliciclastic lithologies had a greater frequency of elevated uranium concentrations, radon and radium were commonly detected in water from both siliciclastic and crystalline lithologies. Uranium concentrations in groundwater from clastic sedimentary and clastic lacustrine/evaporite sedimentary lithologic groups within the Early Mesozoic basin aquifers, which had median concentrations of 3.6 and 3.1 µg/L, respectively, generally were higher than concentrations for other siliciclastic lithologic groups, which had median concentrations less than 1 µg/L. Although 89 percent of the 260 samples from crystalline-rock aquifers had uranium concentrations less than 1 µg/L, 0.8 percent had uranium concentrations greater than the 30-µg/L maximum contaminant level, and 6.5 percent had concentrations greater than 3 µg/L.

Hydrogeochemical and stream sediment reconnaissance basic data report for Williams NTMS quadrangle, Arizona

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wagoner, J.L.

Wet and dry sediments were collected throughout the 18,500-km/sup 2/arid-to-semiarid region and water samples at available streams, springs, and wells. Samples were collected between August 1977 and January 1978. Results of neutron activation analyses of uranium and trace elements and other field and laboratory analyses are presented in tabular hardcopy and microfiche format. The report includes six full-size overlays for use with the Williams NTMS 1:250,000 quadrangle. Sediment samples are divided into five general groups according to the source rock from which the sediment was derived. Background uranium concentrations for the quadrangle are relatively low, ranging from 1.91 to 2.40more » ppM, with the highest associated with the Precambrian igneous and metamorphic complexes of the Basin and Range province. Uranium correlates best with the rare-earth elements and iron, scandium, titanium, and manganese. Known uranium occurrences are not readily identified by the stream sediment data.« less

Cryopreservation of Peruvian Paso horse spermatozoa: dimethylacetamide preserved an optimal sperm function compared to dimethyl sulfoxide, ethylene glycol and glycerol.

PubMed

Santiani, A; Evangelista-Vargas, S; Vargas, S; Gallo, S; Ruiz, L; Orozco, V; Rosemberg, M

2017-08-01

The objective was to evaluate the effect of different cryoprotectant agents in the cryopreservation of Peruvian Paso horse semen. Twenty semen samples were collected from five Peruvian Paso horse stallions. Each sample was divided into 12 parts to form the groups: dimethylacetamide (DMA), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ethylene glycol (EG) and glycerol (GLY), at 3%, 4% and 5%. Samples were frozen using a rate-controlled freezer. Sperm parameters evaluated were motility and viability/acrosomal status. After thawing, progressive motility in DMA group was higher (p < .05) than in DMSO, EG and GLY groups. Similarly, viable acrosome-intact spermatozoa were higher (p < .05) using DMA in comparison with DMSO. No differences were found when comparing concentrations for any of the cryoprotectant agents. In conclusion, DMA seems to be a good cryoprotectant agent for the cryopreservation of Peruvian Paso horse stallion semen. © 2016 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Hydrogeochemical variables regionalization--applying cluster analysis for a seasonal evolution model from an estuarine system affected by AMD.

PubMed

Grande, J A; Carro, B; Borrego, J; de la Torre, M L; Valente, T; Santisteban, M

2013-04-15

This study describes the spatial evolution of the hydrogeochemical parameters which characterise a strongly affected estuary by Acid Mine Drainage (AMD). The studied estuarine system receives AMD from the Iberian Pyrite Belt (SW Spain) and, simultaneously, is affected by the presence of an industrial chemical complex. Water sampling was performed in the year of 2008, comprising four sampling campaigns, in order to represent seasonality. The results show how the estuary can be divided into three areas of different behaviour in response to hydrogeochemical variables concentrations that define each sampling stations: on one hand, an area dominated by tidal influence; in the opposite end there is a second area including the points located in the two rivers headwaters that are not influenced by seawater; finally there is the area that can be defined as mixing zone. These areas are moved along the hydrological year due to seasonal chemical variations. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ochratoxin A in raisins and currants: basic extraction procedure used in two small marketing surveys of the occurrence and control of the heterogeneity of the toxins in samples.

PubMed

Möller, T E; Nyberg, M

2003-11-01

A basic extraction procedure for analysis of ochratoxin A (OTA) in currants and raisins is described, as well as the occurrence of OTA and a control of heterogeneity of the toxin in samples bought for two small marketing surveys 1999/2000 and 2001/02. Most samples in the surveys were divided into two subsamples that were individually prepared as slurries and analysed separately. The limit of quantification for the method was estimated as 0.1 microg kg(-1) and recoveries of 85, 90 and 115% were achieved in recovery experiments at 10, 5 and 0.1 microg kg(-1), respectively. Of all 118 subsamples analysed in the surveys, 96 (84%) contained ochratoxin A at levels above the quantification level and five samples (4%) contained more than the European Community legislation of 10 microg kg(-1). The OTA concentrations found in the first survey were in the range < 0.1-19.0 microg kg(-1) with a median concentration of 0.9 microg kg(-1). In the 2001/02 study, the range was < 0.1-34.6 microg kg(-1) with a median of 0.2 microg kg(-1). Big differences were often achieved between individual subsamples of the original sample, which indicate a wide heterogeneous distribution of the toxin. Data from the repeatability test as well as recovery experiments from the same slurries showed that preparation of slurries as described here seemed to give a homogeneous and representative sample. The extraction with the basic sodium bicarbonate-methanol mixture used in the surveys gave similar or somewhat higher OTA values on some samples tested in a comparison with a weak phosphoric acid water-methanol extraction mixture.

Water quality monitoring of Sweetwater and Loveland reservoirs--Phase one results 1998-1999

USGS Publications Warehouse

Majewski, Michael S.; Sidhu, Jagdeep S.; Mendez, Gregory O.

2002-01-01

In 1998, the U.S. Geological Survey began a study to assess the overall health of the watershed feeding the Sweetwater Reservoir in southern San Diego County, California. The study focussed on monitoring for organic chemical contamination and the effects of construction and operation of State Route 125 on water quality. Three environmental compartments (air, water, and bed sediments) are being sampled regularly for chemical contaminants, including volatile organic compounds, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, pesticides, and major and trace elements. The study is divided into two phases. Phase I sampling is designed to establish baseline conditions for target compounds in terms of detection frequency and concentration in air, water, and bed sediments. Phase II sampling will continue at the established monitoring sites during and after construction of State Route 125 to assess chemical impact on water quality in the reservoir resulting from land-use changes and development in the watershed. This report describes the study design, the sampling and analytical methods, and presents the data results for the first year of the study, September 1998 to September 1999.

Pharmacokinetics of nebulized terbinafine in Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis).

PubMed

Emery, Lee C; Cox, Sherry K; Souza, Marcy J

2012-09-01

Aspergillosis is one of the most difficult diseases to treat successfully in avian species. Terbinafine hydrochloride offers numerous potential benefits over traditionally used antifungals for treatment of this disease. Adding nebulized antifungals to treatment strategies is thought to improve clinical outcomes in lung diseases. To determine plasma concentrations of terbinafine after nebulization, 6 adult Hispaniolan Amazon parrots were randomly divided into 2 groups of 3. Each bird was nebulized for 15 minutes with 1 of 2 terbinafine solutions, one made with a crushed tablet and the second with raw drug powder. Blood samples were collected at baseline and at multiple time points up to 720 minutes after completing nebulization. Plasma and nebulization solutions were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The terbinafine concentration of the solution made with a crushed tablet (0.87 +/- 0.05 mg/mL) was significantly lower than was that made with raw powder (1.02 +/- 0.09 mg/mL). Plasma concentrations of terbinafine did not differ significantly between birds in the 2 groups. Plasma terbinafine concentrations in birds were maintained above in vitro minimum inhibitory concentrations for approximately 1 hour in birds nebulized with the crushed tablet solution and 4 hours in birds nebulized with the raw powder solution. Higher concentrations of solution, longer nebulization periods, or more frequent administration are likely needed to reach therapeutic plasma concentrations of terbinafine for clinically relevant periods in Hispaniolan Amazon parrots.

Abundance and diversity of methanogens: potential role in high arsenic groundwater in Hetao Plain of Inner Mongolia, China.

PubMed

Wang, Y H; Li, P; Dai, X Y; Zhang, R; Jiang, Z; Jiang, D W; Wang, Y X

2015-05-15

To investigate the community diversity and abundance of methanogens and their potential role in high arsenic groundwater, 17 groundwater samples from Hetao Plain of Inner Mongolia were investigated with an integrated method including 16S rRNA gene clone library, quantitative polymerase chain reaction and geochemistry analyses. Total arsenic (AsTot) concentrations were 82.7-1088.7 μg/L and arsenite (AsIII) mostly dominated in these samples with percentages of 0.04-0.79. CH₄ concentrations ranged from 0.01 to 292 μg/L and distinctly elevated only when AsTot were relatively high and SO₄(2-) were distinctly low. Principal component analysis indicated that these samples were divided into three groups according to the variations of AsTot, CH₄ and SO₄(2-). AsTot concentrations were distinctly high in the group with high CH₄ and low SO₄(2-) comparing to the other two groups (one with high CH₄ and high SO₄(2-), the other with low CH₄ and SO₄(2-)). The mcrA gene (methyl coenzyme-M reductase gene) based phylogenetic analysis of methanogens population showed that methanogenic archaea was diverse but mainly composed of Methanomicrobiales, Methanosarcinales, Methanobacteria and unidentified groups, with Methanomicrobiales being distinctly dominant (50.6%). The mcrA gene abundance in high arsenic groundwater ranged from 3.01 × 10(3) to 3.80 × 10(6)copies/L and accounted for 0-30.2% of total archaeal 16S rRNA genes. The abundance of mcrA genes was positively correlated with the concentrations of AsTot (R=0.59), AsIII (R=0.57) and FeII (R=0.79), while it was negatively correlated with oxidation-reduction potential (R=-0.66) and SO₄(2-) concentration (R=-0.64). These results implied that methanogenic archaea might accelerate As release in groundwater aquifers in Hetao Plain. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.

C-reactive protein, glucose and iron concentrations are significantly altered in dogs undergoing open ovariohysterectomy or ovariectomy.

PubMed

Moldal, Elena Regine; Kjelgaard-Hansen, Mads Jens; Peeters, Marijke Elisabeth; Nødtvedt, Ane; Kirpensteijn, Jolle

2018-05-30

There are relatively few studies about the canine surgical stress response, a sequence of events orchestrated by the body in response to a surgical trauma which is sometimes, as shown in human surgery, deleterious to the patient. There is a need to identify objective markers to quantify this response in order to estimate tissue trauma and use the markers as potential early indicators of surgical complications. The study objective was to investigate the surgical stress response, measured by C-reactive protein (CRP), glucose and iron serum concentrations, to gonadectomy in female dogs, and to compare the response to ovariohysterectomy (OHE) with the response to ovariectomy (OVE). A randomized clinical trial was performed on a sample of 42 female dogs, which were divided into two groups: one group underwent OHE, the other OVE. Blood samples were collected immediately before surgery (T0), and at 1 (T1), 6 (T6), and 24 (T24) h after surgery, and serum frozen and stored at - 80 °C for later analysis. Upon thawing, the serum samples were subjected to measurement of CRP, glucose and iron concentration. Seventeen dogs in the OHE group and 19 dogs in the OVE group were included in the statistical analysis. There was a significant increase in glucose concentration at all time points compared with T0, and an increase of CRP at T6 and T24. Iron concentration was significantly decreased at T6 and T24. Differences between the two groups could not be detected for any of the three variables. The study showed that both OHE and OVE induce a moderate surgical stress response in female dogs, measured by CRP, glucose and iron. A difference between the surgical techniques could not be detected for any of the variables, and hence; with regards to the parameters studied recommendations of one procedure over the other cannot be made and preferred technique remains the surgeon's choice.

A National Pilot Study of Mercury Contamination of Aquatic Ecosystems Along Multiple Gradients: Bioaccumulation in Fish

USGS Publications Warehouse

Brumbaugh, William G.; Krabbenhoft, David P.; Helsel, Dennis R.; Wiener, James G.; Echols, Kathy R.

2001-01-01

Water, sediment, and fish were sampled in the summer and fall of 1998 at 106 sites from 20 U.S. watershed basins to examine relations of mercury (Hg) and methylmercury (MeHg) in aquatic ecosystems. Bioaccumulation of Hg in fish from these basins was evaluated in relation to species, Hg and MeHg in surficial sediment and water, and watershed characteristics. Bioaccumulation was strongly (positively) correlated with MeHg in water (r = 0.63, p < 0.001) but only moderately with the MeHg in sediment (r = 0.33, p < 0.001) or total Hg in water (r = 0.28, p < 0.01). Of the other significantly measured parameters, pH, DOC, sulfate, sediment LOI, and the percent wetlands of each basin were also significantly correlated with Hg bioaccumulation in fish. The best model for predicting Hg bioaccumulation included Me Hg in water, PH of the water, % wetlands in the basin, and the AVS content of the sediment. These four variables accounted for 45% of the variability of the fish fillet Hg concentration normalized (divided) by total length; however, the majority was described by MeHg in water. A MeHg water concentration 0.12 ng/L was on average, associated with a fish fillet Hg concentration of 0.3 mg/kg wet weight for an age-3 fish when all species were considered. For age-3 largemouth bass, a MeHg water concentration of 0.058 ng/L was associated with the 0.3 mg/kg fillet concentration. Based on rankings for Hg in sediment, water, and fish, sampling sites from the following five study basins had the greatest Hg contamination: Nevada Basin and Range, South Florida Basin, Sacramento River Basin (California), Santee River Basin and Caostal Drainages (South Carolina), and the Long Island and New Jersey Coastal DRainags. A sampling and analysis strategy based on this pilot study is planned for all USGS/NAWQA study units over the next decade.

Groundwater-quality data in the Monterey–Salinas shallow aquifer study unit, 2013: Results from the California GAMA Program

USGS Publications Warehouse

Goldrath, Dara A.; Kulongoski, Justin T.; Davis, Tracy A.

2016-09-01

Groundwater quality in the 3,016-square-mile Monterey–Salinas Shallow Aquifer study unit was investigated by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) from October 2012 to May 2013 as part of the California State Water Resources Control Board Groundwater Ambient Monitoring and Assessment (GAMA) Program’s Priority Basin Project. The GAMA Monterey–Salinas Shallow Aquifer study was designed to provide a spatially unbiased assessment of untreated-groundwater quality in the shallow-aquifer systems in parts of Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties and to facilitate statistically consistent comparisons of untreated-groundwater quality throughout California. The shallow-aquifer system in the Monterey–Salinas Shallow Aquifer study unit was defined as those parts of the aquifer system shallower than the perforated depth intervals of public-supply wells, which generally corresponds to the part of the aquifer system used by domestic wells. Groundwater quality in the shallow aquifers can differ from the quality in the deeper water-bearing zones; shallow groundwater can be more vulnerable to surficial contamination.Samples were collected from 170 sites that were selected by using a spatially distributed, randomized grid-based method. The study unit was divided into 4 study areas, each study area was divided into grid cells, and 1 well was sampled in each of the 100 grid cells (grid wells). The grid wells were domestic wells or wells with screen depths similar to those in nearby domestic wells. A greater spatial density of data was achieved in 2 of the study areas by dividing grid cells in those study areas into subcells, and in 70 subcells, samples were collected from exterior faucets at sites where there were domestic wells or wells with screen depths similar to those in nearby domestic wells (shallow-well tap sites).Field water-quality indicators (dissolved oxygen, water temperature, pH, and specific conductance) were measured, and samples for analysis of inorganic constituents (trace elements, nutrients, major and minor ions, silica, total dissolved solids, and alkalinity) were collected at all 170 sites. In addition to these constituents, the samples from grid wells were analyzed for organic constituents (volatile organic compounds, pesticides and pesticide degradates), constituents of special interest (perchlorate and N-nitrosodimethylamine, or NDMA), radioactive constituents (radon-222 and gross-alpha and gross-beta radioactivity), and geochemical and age-dating tracers (stable isotopes of carbon in dissolved inorganic carbon, carbon-14 abundances, stable isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen in water, and tritium activities).Three types of quality-control samples (blanks, replicates, and matrix spikes) were collected at up to 11 percent of the wells in the Monterey–Salinas Shallow Aquifer study unit, and the results for these samples were used to evaluate the quality of the data from the groundwater samples. With the exception of trace elements, blanks rarely contained detectable concentrations of any constituent, indicating that contamination from sample-collection procedures was not a significant source of bias in the data for the groundwater samples. Low concentrations of some trace elements were detected in blanks; therefore, the data were re-censored at higher reporting levels. Replicate samples generally were within the limits of acceptable analytical reproducibility. The median values of matrix-spike recoveries were within the acceptable range (70 to 130 percent) for the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), but were only approximately 64 percent for pesticides and pesticide degradates.The sample-collection protocols used in this study were designed to obtain representative samples of groundwater. The quality of groundwater can differ from the quality of drinking water because water chemistry can change as a result of contact with plumbing systems or the atmosphere; because of treatment, disinfection, or blending with water from other sources; or some combination of these. Water quality in domestic wells is not regulated in California, however, to provide context for the water-quality data presented in this report, results were compared to benchmarks established for drinking-water quality. The primary comparison benchmarks were maximum contaminant levels established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the State of California (MCL-US and MCL-CA, respectively). Non-regulatory benchmarks were used for constituents without maximum contaminant levels (MCLs), including Health Based Screening Levels (HBSLs) developed by the USGS and State of California secondary maximum contaminant levels (SMCL-CA) and notification levels. Most constituents detected in samples from the Monterey–Salinas Shallow Aquifer study unit had concentrations less than their respective benchmarks.Of the 148 organic constituents analyzed in the 100 grid-well samples, 38 were detected, and all concentrations were less than the benchmarks. Volatile organic compounds were detected in 26 of the grid wells, and pesticides and pesticide degradates were detected in 28 grid wells. The special-interest constituent NDMA was detected above the HBSL in three samples, one of which also had a perchlorate concentration greater than the MCL-CA.Of the inorganic constituents, 6 were detected at concentrations above their respective MCL benchmarks in grid-well samples: arsenic (5 grid wells above the MCL of 10 micrograms per liter, μg/L), selenium (3 grid wells, MCL of 50 μg/L), uranium (4 grid wells, MCL of 30 μg/L), nitrate (16 grid wells, MCL of 10 milligrams per liter, mg/L), adjusted gross alpha particle activity (10 grid wells, MCL of 15 picocuries per liter, pCi/L), and gross beta particle activity (1 grid well, MCL of 50 pCi/L). An additional 4 inorganic constituents were detected at concentrations above their respective HBSL benchmarks in grid-well samples: boron (1 grid well above the HBSL of 6,000 μg/L), manganese (8 grid wells, HBSL of 300 μg/L), molybdenum (6 grid wells, HBSL of 40 μg/L), and strontium (6 grid wells, HBSL of 4,000 μg/L). Of the inorganic constituents, 4 were detected at concentrations above their non-health based SMCL benchmarks in grid-well samples: iron (9 grid wells above the SMCL of 300 μg/L), chloride (7 grid wells, SMCL of 500 mg/L), sulfate (14 grid wells, SMCL of 500 mg/L), and total dissolved solids (27 grid wells, SMCL of 1,000 mg/L).Of the inorganic constituents analyzed in the 70 shallow-well tap sites, 10 were detected at concentrations above the benchmarks. Of the inorganic constituents, 3 were detected at concentrations above their respective MCL benchmarks in shallow-well tap sites: arsenic (2 shallow-well tap sites above the MCL of 10 μg/L), uranium (2 shallow-well tap sites, MCL of 30 μg/L), and nitrate (24 shallow-well tap sites, MCL of 10 mg/L). An additional 3 inorganic constituents were detected above their respective HBSL benchmarks in shallow-well tap sites: manganese (4 shallow-well tap sites above the HBSL of 300 μg/L), molybdenum (4 shallow-well tap sites, HBSL of 40 μg/L), and zinc (2 shallow-well tap sites, HBSL of 2,000 μg/L). Of the inorganic constituents, 4 were detected at concentrations above their non-health based SMCL benchmarks in shallow-well tap sites: iron (6 shallow-well tap sites above the SMCL of 300 μg/L), chloride (1 shallow-well tap site, SMCL of 500 mg/L), sulfate (9 shallow-well tap sites, SMCL of 500 mg/L), and total dissolved solids (15 shallow-well tap sites, SMCL of 1,000 mg/L).

Exposure Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAHs) in Childcare Centers of Muang, Nakhon Ratchasima

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jitlada, C.; Pentamwa, P.

2018-03-01

This study aims to characterize airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as of particulate and vapor phases variation. The samples were collected from the childcare centers where divided into urban and rural areas in Nakhon Ratchasima Province of Thailand. The airborne samples were collected from five childcare centers during the dry season in the year 2017. The PAHs species were determined by the gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy (GS/MS) method. Results show that the total concentrations of PAHs were higher than vapor phase that both similar in urban area and rural area. The dominant PAHs compounds of both urban and rural areas were benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(a,h)anthracene and indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene, respectively. Furthermore, the concentrations of PAHs in municipality (urban) childcare centers were higher than rural childcare centers area of Nakhon Ratchasima province. The risks associated with exposure to PAHs were evaluated using the TEF approach. The estimated value of lifetime lung cancer risks children in urban were significantly (p < 0.05) 2 times of children in rural, thus demonstrating that exposure to PAHs at levels found at urban site may be cause potential health risks.

Migration of fresh and cryopreserved human spermatozoa in polyacrylamide gel.

PubMed

Goldstein, M C; Wix, L S; Foote, R H; Feldschuh, R; Feldschuh, J

1982-05-01

The ability of freshly collected and frozen human spermatozoa to migrate in round capillary tubes containing specially formulated polyacrylamide gel was investigated, using 33 ejaculates from 27 donors. Each semen sample was divided; one portion was left undiluted, and the other portion was diluted to 50 x 10(6) sperm/ml. Glycerol was used as the cryoprotectant. The percentage of motile sperm cells was determined before and after freezing. Fresh semen contained a higher percentage of motile cells, which migrated farther than those of cryopreserved-thawed semen. Various correlations between the percentage of motile sperm and migration distance ranged from 0.57 to 0.62. There was a low positive correlation of migration distance with sperm cell concentration per milliliter, r = 0.25 to 0.34; and thus adjusting semen samples to a standard sperm concentration improved the accuracy of the test only slightly. The regression coefficient of migration distance on the percentage of motile sperm in fresh semen was 0.65, indicating that for each 10% increase in sperm motility, migration distance is predicted to increase 6.5 mm. Five batches of polyacrylamide gel gave uniform results, and the application of this stable gel to fertility investigations is discussed.

Selective chemical detection by energy modulation of sensors

DOEpatents

Stetter, J.R.; Otagawa, T.

1991-09-10

A portable instrument for use in the field in detecting, identifying, and quantifying a component of a sampled fluid includes a sensor which chemically reacts with the component of interest or a derivative thereof, an electrical heating filament for heating the sample before it is applied to the sensor, and modulator for continuously varying the temperature of the filament (and hence the reaction rate) between two values sufficient to produce the chemical reaction. In response to this thermal modulation, the sensor produces a modulated output signal, the modulation of which is a function of the activation energy of the chemical reaction, which activation energy is specific to the particular component of interest and its concentration. Microprocessor which compares the modulated output signal with standard responses for a plurality of components to identify and quantify the particular component of interest. In particular, the concentration of the component of interest is proportional to the amplitude of the modulated output signal, while the identifying activation output energy of the chemical interaction indicative of that component is proportional to a normalized parameter equal to the peak-to-peak amplitude divided by the height of the upper peaks above a base line signal level. 5 figures.

Selective chemical detection by energy modulation of sensors

DOEpatents

Stetter, Joseph R.; Otagawa, Takaaki

1991-01-01

A portable instrument for use in the field in detecting, identifying, and quantifying a component of a sampled fluid includes a sensor which chemically reacts with the component of interest or a derivative thereof, an electrical heating filament for heating the sample before it is applied to the sensor, and modulator for continuously varying the temperature of the filament (and hence the reaction rate) between two values sufficient to produce the chemical reaction. In response to this thermal modulation, the sensor produces a modulated output signal, the modulation of which is a function of the activation energy of the chemical reaction, which activation energy is specific to the particular component of interest and its concentration. Microprocessor which compares the modulated output signal with standard responses for a plurality of components to identify and quantify the particular component of interest. In particular, the concentration of the component of interest is proportional to the amplitude of the modulated output signal, while the identifying activation output energy of the chemical interaction indicative of that component is proportional to a normalized parameter equal to the peak-to-peak amplitude divided by the height of the upper peaks above a base line signal level.

Simultaneous determination of 117 pesticides and 30 mycotoxins in raw coffee, without clean-up, by LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis.

PubMed

Reichert, Bárbara; de Kok, André; Pizzutti, Ionara Regina; Scholten, Jos; Cardoso, Carmem Dickow; Spanjer, Martien

2018-04-03

This paper describes the optimization and validation of an acetonitrile based method for simultaneous extraction of multiple pesticides and mycotoxins from raw coffee beans followed by LC-ESI-MS/MS determination. Before extraction, the raw coffee samples were milled and then slurried with water. The slurried samples were spiked with two separate standard solutions, one containing 131 pesticides and a second with 35 mycotoxins, which were divided into 3 groups of different relative concentration levels. Optimization of the QuEChERS approach included performance tests with acetonitrile acidified with acetic acid or formic acid, with or without buffer and with or without clean-up of the extracts before LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis. For the clean-up step, seven d-SPE sorbents and their various mixtures were evaluated. After method optimization a complete validation study was carried out to ensure adequate performance of the extraction and chromatographic methods. The samples were spiked at 3 concentrations levels with both mycotoxins and pesticides (with 6 replicates at each level, n = 6) and then submitted to the extraction procedure. Before LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis, the acetonitrile extracts were diluted 2-fold with methanol, in order to improve the chromatographic performance of the early-eluting polar analytes. Calibration standard solutions were prepared in organic solvent and in blank coffee extract at 7 concentration levels and analyzed 6 times each. The method was assessed for accuracy (recovery %), precision (RSD%), selectivity, linearity (r 2 ), limit of quantification (LOQ) and matrix effects (%). Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

[Determination and pharmacokinetics of main components for Psoralea corylifolia-Myristica fragrants drug pair by using UPLC-MS/MS].

PubMed

Gao, Jia-Rong; Xu, Shuang-Zhi; Han, Yan-Quan; Wei, Liang-Bing; Jiang, Hui; Song, Jun-Mei; Xue, Xue

2017-05-01

To conduct multiple-reaction monitoring(MRM) quantitative analysis with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry method(UPLC-MS/MS), determine the concentrations of psoralen, isopsoralen, bakuchiol and dehydrodiisoeugenol in plasma under positive iron mode with chloramghenicol as internal standard, and investigate the pharmacokinetics process of the main components before and after oral administration of drug pair Psoralea corylifolia -Myristica fragrants. Thirty-six SD rats were randomly divided into three group(A, B, C) and received P. corylifolia extract, P. corylifolia-M. fragrants extract, and M. fragrants extract respectively by intragastric administration. The plasma samples were collected at different time points. In the plasma samples, psoralen, isopsoralen, bakuchiol and dehydrodiisoeugenol showed good linear relationship within concentration rages of 0.098 125 to 39.25, 0.084 37 to 33.75, 0.046 875 to 18.75, and 0.11 to 2.2 mg•L⁻¹ respectively. The precision and stability results showed that the determination method of plasma concentration for such compositions was stable and reliable. The pharmacokinetic parameters obtained by DAS 2.0 showed varying differences before and after compatibility. According to the experimental results, the compatibility of P. corylifolia and M. fragrants can significantly impact the pharmacokinetic process of main components, expand their distribution and accelerate their metabolism and elimination in vivo. Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.

Application of transmission infrared spectroscopy and partial least squares regression to predict immunoglobulin G concentration in dairy and beef cow colostrum.

PubMed

Elsohaby, Ibrahim; Windeyer, M Claire; Haines, Deborah M; Homerosky, Elizabeth R; Pearson, Jennifer M; McClure, J Trenton; Keefe, Greg P

2018-03-06

The objective of this study was to explore the potential of transmission infrared (TIR) spectroscopy in combination with partial least squares regression (PLSR) for quantification of dairy and beef cow colostral immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration and assessment of colostrum quality. A total of 430 colostrum samples were collected from dairy (n = 235) and beef (n = 195) cows and tested by a radial immunodiffusion (RID) assay and TIR spectroscopy. Colostral IgG concentrations obtained by the RID assay were linked to the preprocessed spectra and divided into combined and prediction data sets. Three PLSR calibration models were built: one for the dairy cow colostrum only, the second for beef cow colostrum only, and the third for the merged dairy and beef cow colostrum. The predictive performance of each model was evaluated separately using the independent prediction data set. The Pearson correlation coefficients between IgG concentrations as determined by the TIR-based assay and the RID assay were 0.84 for dairy cow colostrum, 0.88 for beef cow colostrum, and 0.92 for the merged set of dairy and beef cow colostrum. The average of the differences between colostral IgG concentrations obtained by the RID- and TIR-based assays were -3.5, 2.7, and 1.4 g/L for dairy, beef, and merged colostrum samples, respectively. Further, the average relative error of the colostral IgG predicted by the TIR spectroscopy from the RID assay was 5% for dairy cow, 1.2% for beef cow, and 0.8% for the merged data set. The average intra-assay CV% of the IgG concentration predicted by the TIR-based method were 3.2%, 2.5%, and 6.9% for dairy cow, beef cow, and merged data set, respectively.The utility of TIR method for assessment of colostrum quality was evaluated using the entire data set and showed that TIR spectroscopy accurately identified the quality status of 91% of dairy cow colostrum, 95% of beef cow colostrum, and 89% and 93% of the merged dairy and beef cow colostrum samples, respectively. The results showed that TIR spectroscopy demonstrates potential as a simple, rapid, and cost-efficient method for use as an estimate of IgG concentration in dairy and beef cow colostrum samples and assessment of colostrum quality. The results also showed that merging the dairy and beef cow colostrum sample data sets improved the predictive ability of the TIR spectroscopy.

EFFECT OF A SHORT PERIOD WHOLE BODY VIBRATION WITH 10 HZ ON BLOOD BIOMARKERS IN WISTAR RATS

PubMed Central

Monteiro, Milena de Oliveira Bravo; de Sá-Caputo, Danúbia da Cunha; Moreira-Marconi, Eloá; Frederico, Éric Heleno Freire Ferreira; de Sousa-Gonçalves, Cintia Renata; Bernardo, Luciana Camargo; Guimarães, Carlos Alberto Sampaio; Bernardo-Filho, Mario

2017-01-01

Background: Exposure to whole body vibration exercises (WBVE), besides some biological effects, causes alterations in the concentration of some blood biomarkers. The aim of this study is to evaluate the action of vibration (10 Hz) of WBVE on the concentration of blood biomarkers in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Wistar rats were divided in 2 groups. The experimental group (EG) was subjected to vibrations of 10Hz (one min per day, one week, total time of seven min), while the control group (CG) has not experienced vibration. Samples of whole blood were drawn for biochemical analysis of the concentration of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, VLDL, glucose, CPK, albumin, alkaline phosphates, TGP, TGO, γGT, lipase, amylase, urea and creatinine. Results: White blood cell count and a platelet-hemogram were also performed. Significant (p<0.05) increase in TGP, TGO and white blood cells and decrease in LDL concentration was found after exposure of 10Hz mechanical vibration. Conclusion: Although these findings were obtained with rats, they might contribute to try to understand better these mechanisms that occur following exposure to a frequency of 10Hz. PMID:28740939

Crystal Structure Characterization of Thin Layer Zinc Oxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doyan, Aris; Susilawati; Azizatul Fitri, Siti; Ahzan, Sukainil

2017-05-01

In this research the characterization of the crystal structure of a thin layer of ZnO (zinc oxide) were synthesized by sol - gel method and spin coating deposited on a glass substrate. The samples were divided into three sol concentrations of 0.1, 0.3, 0.5 Molar and two deposition temperature is 350 °C, and 550 °C. UV-Vis. spectrophotometer results showed that in the spectrum of visible light (wavelength range 300-800 nm) has a transmittance value of which increases with increasing concentration and temperature deposition of zinc oxide, otherwise the value of the absorption and the band gap energy decreases with the addition of concentration and deposition temperature. The transmittances value of the highest and lowest absorption was 93.5% and 0.03 is at a concentration of 0.1 M and zinc oxide deposition temperature of 550 °C, with a value of band gap energy of 2.98 eV. The XRD results showed that the zinc oxide crystal orientation in the field of 013 with a crystal grain size 14.4472 nm. SEM results showed the surface morphology of zinc oxide such as rod-like.

Prediction of periodontopathic bacteria in dental plaque of periodontal healthy subjects by measurement of volatile sulfur compounds in mouth air.

PubMed

Kishi, Mitsuo; Ohara-Nemoto, Yuko; Takahashi, Masahiro; Kishi, Kayo; Kimura, Shigenobu; Aizawa, Fumie; Yonemitsu, Masami

2013-03-01

The aim of this study was to determine whether measurements of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) are useful to predict colonization of periodontopathic bacteria. For this purpose, we assessed the relationships among distributions of 4 species of periodontopathic bacteria in tongue coating and dental plaque, oral conditions including VSC concentration in mouth air, and smoking habit of periodontal healthy young subjects. The subjects were 108 young adults (mean age, 23.5±2.56 years) without clinical periodontal pockets. Information regarding smoking habit was obtained by interview. After VSC concentration in mouth, air was measured with a portable sulfide monitor (Halimeter(®)), non-stimulated saliva flow and dental caries status were assessed, and tongue coating and dental plaque samples were collected from the subjects. The tongue coating samples were weighed to determine the amount. The colonization of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Prevotella intermedia, and Treponema denticola in both tongue coating and plaque samples was investigated using species-specific polymerase chain reaction assays. Significant relationships were observed between the colonization of periodontopathic bacteria in tongue coating and plaque samples, especially that of P. gingivalis. VSC concentration showed the most significant association with colonization of P. gingivalis in both tongue coating and dental plaque. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the adjusted partial correlation coefficient [Exp(B)] values for VSC concentration with the colonization of P. gingivalis, P. intermedia, and T. denticola in dental plaque were 135, 35.4 and 10.4, respectively. In addition, smoking habit was also shown to be a significant variable in regression models [Exp(B)=6.19, 8.92 and 2.53, respectively]. Therefore, receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to predict the colonization of periodontal bacteria in dental plaque in the subjects divided by smoking habit. Based on our results, we found cut-off values that indicated likelihood ratios (LR) within the efficient range for positive findings in both groups. The present results demonstrated that measurement of VSC concentration in mouth air is a useful method to predict the presence of colonization of some periodontopathic bacteria in dental plaque. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Impact of Increasing Dietary Calcium Levels on Calcium Excretion and Vitamin D Metabolites in the Blood of Healthy Adult Cats.

PubMed

Paßlack, Nadine; Schmiedchen, Bettina; Raila, Jens; Schweigert, Florian J; Stumpff, Friederike; Kohn, Barbara; Neumann, Konrad; Zentek, Jürgen

2016-01-01

Dietary calcium (Ca) concentrations might affect regulatory pathways within the Ca and vitamin D metabolism and consequently excretory mechanisms. Considering large variations in Ca concentrations of feline diets, the physiological impact on Ca homeostasis has not been evaluated to date. In the present study, diets with increasing concentrations of dicalcium phosphate were offered to ten healthy adult cats (Ca/phosphorus (P): 6.23/6.02, 7.77/7.56, 15.0/12.7, 19.0/17.3, 22.2/19.9, 24.3/21.6 g/kg dry matter). Each feeding period was divided into a 10-day adaptation and an 8-day sampling period in order to collect urine and faeces. On the last day of each feeding period, blood samples were taken. Urinary Ca concentrations remained unaffected, but faecal Ca concentrations increased (P < 0.001) with increasing dietary Ca levels. No effect on whole and intact parathyroid hormone levels, fibroblast growth factor 23 and calcitriol concentrations in the blood of the cats were observed. However, the calcitriol precursors 25(OH)D2 and 25(OH)D3, which are considered the most useful indicators for the vitamin D status, decreased with higher dietary Ca levels (P = 0.013 and P = 0.033). Increasing dietary levels of dicalcium phosphate revealed an acidifying effect on urinary fasting pH (6.02) and postprandial pH (6.01) (P < 0.001), possibly mediated by an increase of urinary phosphorus (P) concentrations (P < 0.001). In conclusion, calcitriol precursors were linearly affected by increasing dietary Ca concentrations. The increase in faecal Ca excretion indicates that Ca homeostasis of cats is mainly regulated in the intestine and not by the kidneys. Long-term studies should investigate the physiological relevance of the acidifying effect observed when feeding diets high in Ca and P.

Thyroid hormone concentrations differ between donkeys and horses.

PubMed

Mendoza, F J; Perez-Ecija, R A; Toribio, R E; Estepa, J C

2013-03-01

Reference intervals for thyroid hormones (TH) concentrations have not been previously established for donkeys, leading to potential misdiagnosis of thyroid disease. To determine the normal values of TH in healthy adult donkeys and compare them to TH values from healthy adult horses. Thirty-eight healthy Andalusian donkeys and 19 healthy Andalusian horses from 2 different farms were used. Donkeys were divided into 3 age groups: <5, 5-10 and >11 years and into 2 gender groups. Serum concentrations of fT3, tT3, rT3, fT4 and tT4 were quantified by radioimmunoassay. All blood samples were collected the same day in the morning. None of the animals had received any treatment for 30 days prior to sampling or had any history of disease. Both farms were in close proximity and under similar management. Differences between groups were determined using a one-way ANOVA analysis followed by Fisher's LSD test. P<0.05 was considered significant. Serum TH concentrations were higher in donkeys than in horses (P<0.01). Donkeys <5 years had higher serum rT3, fT4 and tT4 concentrations than donkeys >5 years (P<0.05). Furthermore, older donkeys (>11 years) had lower serum fT3 and tT3 concentrations than younger donkeys' groups (<5 and 5-10 years, P<0.05). TH concentrations were not different between genders (fT3: P = 0.06; tT3: P = 0.08; rT3: P = 0.15; fT4: P = 0.89; and tT4: P = 0.19). Thyroid hormone concentrations are different between healthy adult donkeys and horses. Establishing species-specific TH reference ranges is important when evaluating clinicopathologic data in equids in order to avoid the misdiagnosis of thyroid gland dysfunction. Further studies to elucidate the physiological mechanisms leading to these differences are warranted. © 2012 EVJ Ltd.

Wistar rats immature testicular tissue vitrification and heterotopic grafting.

PubMed

Benvenutti, Larissa; Salvador, Rafael Alonso; Til, David; Senn, Alfred Paul; Tames, David Rivero; Amaral, Nicole Louise Lângaro; Amaral, Vera Lúcia Lângaro

2018-04-25

To evaluate the efficiency of two vitrification protocols for rat immature testicular tissue and heterotopic transplantation. Twenty-four pre-pubertal Wistar rats were divided into three groups (n=8). After orchiectomy, testicular fragments (3mm) from Groups 1 and 2 were vitrified with different cryoprotectant concentration solutions, using sterile inoculation loops as support. After warming up, the fragments were submitted to cell viability assessment by Trypan blue and histological evaluation. Vitrified (Groups 1 and 2) and fresh (Group 3) fragments were grafted to the animals periauricular region. After 8 weeks of grafting, the implant site was histologically analyzed. The viability recovery rate from Group 1 (72.09%) was higher (p=0.02) than that from Group 2 (59.19%). Histological analysis showed similar tubular integrity between fresh fragments from Groups 1 and 3. Group 2 samples presented lower tubular integrity. We ran histological analyses in the grafts from the Groups. In all groups, it was possible to see the implant site, however, no fragment of testicular tissue or signs of inflammation were histologically found in most samples from Groups 1 and 3. In one sample from Group 2, we found degenerated seminiferous tubules with necrosis and signs of an inflammatory process. In another sample from Group 2, we found seminiferous tubules in the implant site. The vitrification of pre-pubertal testicular tissue of rats showed little damage to cell viability through histological analysis when we used cryoprotectants in a lower concentration. Heterotopic transplantation could not preserve the structural organization of the testicular tissue.

Effect of Freezing Time on Macronutrients and Energy Content of Breastmilk

PubMed Central

Escuder-Vieco, Diana; García-Algar, Oscar; De la Cruz, Javier; Lora, David; Pallás-Alonso, Carmen

2012-01-01

Abstract Background In neonatal units and human milk banks freezing breastmilk at less than –20°C is the choice for preserving it. Scientific evidence in relation to the loss of nutritional quality during freezing is rare. Our main aim in this study is to determine the effect of freezing time up to 3 months on the content of fat, total nitrogen, lactose, and energy. Our secondary aim is to assess whether ultrasonic homogenization of samples enables a more suitable reading of breastmilk macronutrients with a human milk analyzer (HMA) (MIRIS®, Uppsala, Sweden). Methods Refrigerated breastmilk samples were collected. Each sample was divided into six pairs of aliquots. One pair was analyzed on day 0, and the remaining pairs were frozen and analyzed, one each at 7, 15, 30, 60, and 90 days later. For each pair, one aliquot was homogenized by stirring, and the other by applying ultrasound. Samples were analyzed with the HMA. Results By 3 months from freezing with the two homogenization methods, we observed a relevant and significant decline in the concentration of fat and energy content. The modification of total nitrogen and lactose was not constant and of lower magnitude. The absolute concentration of all macronutrients and calories was greater with ultrasonic homogenization. Conclusions After 3 months from freezing at –20°C, an important decrease in fat and caloric content is observed. Correct homogenization is fundamental for correct nutritional analysis. PMID:22047109

Uranium in the Surrounding of San Marcos-Sacramento River Environment (Chihuahua, Mexico)

PubMed Central

Rentería-Villalobos, Marusia; Cortés, Manuel Reyes; Mantero, Juan; Manjón, Guillermo; García-Tenorio, Rafael; Herrera, Eduardo; Montero-Cabrera, Maria Elena

2012-01-01

The main interest of this study is to assess whether uranium deposits located in the San Marcos outcrops (NW of Chihuahua City, Mexico) could be considered as a source of U-isotopes in its surrounding environment. Uranium activity concentrations were determined in biota, ground, and surface water by either alpha or liquid scintillation spectrometries. Major ions were analyzed by ICP-OES in surface water and its suspended matter. For determining uranium activity in biota, samples were divided in parts. The results have shown a possible lixiviation and infiltration of uranium from geological substrate into the ground and surface water, and consequently, a transfer to biota. Calculated annual effective doses by ingestion suggest that U-isotopes in biota could not negligibly contribute to the neighboring population dose. By all these considerations, it is concluded that in this zone there is natural enhancement of uranium in all environmental samples analyzed in the present work. PMID:22536148

NASA's Atmospheric Effects of Aviation Project

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cofer, W. Randy, III; Anderson, Bruce E.; Connors, V. S.; Wey, C. C.; Sanders, T.; Winstead, E. L.; Pui, C.; Chen, Da-ren; Hagen, D. E.; Whitefield, P.

2001-01-01

During August 1-14, 1999, NASA's Atmospheric Effects of Aviation Project (AEAP) convened a workshop at the NASA Langley Research Center to try to determine why such a wide variation in aerosol emissions indices and chemical and physical properties has been reported by various independent AEAP-supported research teams trying to characterize the exhaust emissions of subsonic commercial aircraft. This workshop was divided into two phases, a laboratory phase and a field phase. The laboratory phase consisted of supplying known particle number densities (concentrations) and particle size distributions to a common manifold for the participating research teams to sample and analyze. The field phase was conducted on an aircraft run-up pad. Participating teams actually sampled aircraft exhaust generated by a Langley T-38 Talon aircraft at 1 and 9 m behind the engine at engine powers ranging from 48 to 100 percent. Results from the laboratory phase of this intercomparison workshop are reported in this paper.

Optical path switching based differential absorption radiometry for substance detection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sachse, Glen W. (Inventor)

2005-01-01

An optical path switch divides sample path radiation into a time series of alternating first polarized components and second polarized components. The first polarized components are transmitted along a first optical path and the second polarized components along a second optical path. A first gasless optical filter train filters the first polarized components to isolate at least a first wavelength band thereby generating first filtered radiation. A second gasless optical filter train filters the second polarized components to isolate at least a second wavelength band thereby generating second filtered radiation. A beam combiner combines the first and second filtered radiation to form a combined beam of radiation. A detector is disposed to monitor magnitude of at least a portion of the combined beam alternately at the first wavelength band and the second wavelength band as an indication of the concentration of the substance in the sample path.

Optical path switching based differential absorption radiometry for substance detection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sachse, Glen W. (Inventor)

2003-01-01

An optical path switch divides sample path radiation into a time series of alternating first polarized components and second polarized components. The first polarized components are transmitted along a first optical path and the second polarized components along a second optical path. A first gasless optical filter train filters the first polarized components to isolate at least a first wavelength band thereby generating first filtered radiation. A second gasless optical filter train filters the second polarized components to isolate at least a second wavelength band thereby generating second filtered radiation. A beam combiner combines the first and second filtered radiation to form a combined beam of radiation. A detector is disposed to monitor magnitude of at least a portion of the combined beam alternately at the first wavelength band and the second wavelength band as an indication of the concentration of the substance in the sample path.

Therapeutic drug monitoring of infliximab: performance evaluation of three commercial ELISA kits.

PubMed

Schmitz, Ellen M H; van de Kerkhof, Daan; Hamann, Dörte; van Dongen, Joost L J; Kuijper, Philip H M; Brunsveld, Luc; Scharnhorst, Volkher; Broeren, Maarten A C

2016-07-01

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of infliximab (IFX, Remicade®) can aid to optimize therapy efficacy. Many assays are available for this purpose. However, a reference standard is lacking. Therefore, we evaluated the analytical performance, agreement and clinically relevant differences of three commercially available IFX ELISA kits on an automated processing system. The kits of Theradiag (Lisa Tracker Infliximab), Progenika (Promonitor IFX) and apDia (Infliximab ELISA) were implemented on an automated processing system. Imprecision was determined by triplicate measurements of patient samples on five days. Agreement was evaluated by analysis of 30 patient samples and four spiked samples by the selected ELISA kits and the in-house IFX ELISA of Sanquin Diagnostics (Amsterdam, The Netherlands). Therapeutic consequences were evaluated by dividing patients into four treatment groups using cut-off levels of 1, 3 and 7 μg/mL and determining assay concordance. Within-run and between-run imprecision were acceptable (≤12% and ≤17%, respectively) within the quantification range of the selected ELISA kits. The apDia assay had the best precision and agreement to target values. Statistically significant differences were found between all assays except between Sanquin Diagnostics and the Lisa Tracker assay. The Promonitor assay measured the lowest IFX concentrations, the apDia assay the highest. When patients were classified in four treatment categories, 70% concordance was achieved. Although all assays are suitable for TDM, significant differences were observed in both imprecision and agreement. Therapeutic consequences were acceptable when patients were divided in treatment categories, but this could be improved by assay standardization.

Lower waist circumference in mildly-stunted adolescents is associated with elevated insulin concentration.

PubMed

Clemente, Ana Paula Grotti; Santos, Carla Danusa da Luz; Martins, Vinicius J B; Albuquerque, Maria Paula; Fachim, Mariana B; Sawaya, Ana Lydia

2014-01-01

Augmented waist circumference (WC) is associated with non-communicable diseases and could represent a valuable marker in screening for metabolic dysfunctions in subjects with insufficient linear growth. The objective of the present study was to determine whether biochemical and hemodynamic parameters and waist circumference vary between mildly-stunted and non-stunted adolescents from impoverished communities of São Paulo, Brazil. The cross-sectional study involved 206 subjects, aged between 9 and 19 years and living in impoverished areas of São Paulo, Brazil. The sample population was divided according to height-for-age Z-score (HAZ) into stunted (-1 > HAZ ≥ -2) and non-stunted (HAZ ≥ -1) groups, and was sub-divided according to gender. Logistic regression analysis was employed to compare individuals with elevated (> 75th percentile) insulin concentrations. The receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed to determine WC cut-off points that could be used to identify stunted and non-stunted individuals with elevated insulin concentrations. WC cut-off points of 58.25cm and 67.2cm allowed for correct classification of 90.7% of stunted and 88.7% of non-stunted individuals in the studied population. While the sensitivity of the model was high for stunted and non-stunted subjects (98.8% and 97.2%, respectively), the specificity was modest (57.1% and 41.2%, respectively). The results presented herein suggest that an increase in plasma insulin is one of the primary metabolic modifications in stunted individuals, and that this alteration could be identified at a lower WC cut-off point than in non-stunted counterparts. Copyright © 2014 Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.

Frequency distribution and correlation among mineral elements in Lycium andersonii from the northern Mojave Desert

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wallace, A.; Romney, E,M.; Alexander, G.V.

1980-01-01

Two hundred samples of leaves of Lycium andersonii A. Gray, each representing one plant and divided among six different locations, were assayed by emission spectrography. Information for 12 different elements is reported in terms of concentrations, frequency distribution, correlations, and some soil characteristics. The objective was to ascertain the nature of variability for mineral elements within a species. Composition varied significantly for all 12 elements among locations, all within about 20 km. At least part of the variation was due to soil characteristics. Samples from Rock Valley were highest in K, Na, and Li, which effect is associated with volcanicmore » outcrop. Samples from Mercury Valley were highest in P, Mg, Ba, and B. At least Mg is related to the soil composition. Correlation coefficients between element pairs were often very different for all 200 samples versus those obtained for individual locations. Some of the values for all 200 samples together proved to be artifacts. The highest correlation was for Ca x Sr (positive) and next was Ca x Mg (also positive). Most correlations were slightly or strongly positive (24 to 32). Only P x Ca, Ca x Na, Ca x B, and Sr x P seemed to be significantly negative of the 32 correlations examined. Frequency distribution patterns where common populations were grouped were often normally distributed. Li, as previously reported, and Na, Cu, Mn,and B and Ba at some locations were not normally distributed. Wide variations in the concentrations of individual elements in leaves of these species were encountered.« less

Effect of dental restorative materials on total antioxidant capacity and calcium concentration of unstimulated saliva.

PubMed

Ramezani, Gholam H; Moghadam, Mona-Momeni; Saghiri, Mohammad-Ali; Garcia-Godoy, Franklin; Asatourian, Armen; Aminsobhani, Mohsen; Scarbecz, Mark; Sheibani, Nader

2017-01-01

To evaluate the effect of dental amalgam and composite restorations on total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and calcium (Ca) ion concentration of unstimulated saliva. Forty-eight children aged 6-10 years selected and divided into three groups of sixteen (8 males, 8 females). In group A and B, samples consisted of two class II dental composite or amalgam restorations, while in group C samples were caries-free (control group). Unstimulated saliva from all samples was collected and TAC was measured by spectrophotometry using an adaptation of 2, 2'-azino-di-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate) (ABTS) assay. The Ca ion level was estimated by an auto- analyzer. Data were analyzed with one- and two-way ANOVA test, at a p <.05 level of significance. Composite samples showed significantly higher TAC and lower Ca ion levels compared to amalgam and caries-free samples ( p <.05). The TAC values showed only significant difference between groups ( p <.05), while the Ca ion results showed significant differences within and between groups ( p <.05). Dental composite restorations increased TAC and decreased Ca ion levels more than amalgam restorations in saliva. Gender is an effective factor in changes induced in oral cavity as females showed more emphatic reaction to dental filling materials than males. Patients who have dental restorations, especially dental composites, should pay more attention to their dental hygiene, because dental restorations can increase oxidative stress and decrease Ca ion level in saliva, which might jeopardize remineralization process of tooth structures after demineralization. Key words: Amalgam, caries, composite, saliva, total antioxidant capacity.

Organochlorine pesticide levels in breast milk in Guerrero, Mexico.

PubMed

Chávez-Almazán, Luis A; Diaz-Ortiz, Jesús; Alarcón-Romero, Mario; Dávila-Vazquez, Gustavo; Saldarriaga-Noreña, Hugo; Waliszewski, Stefan M

2014-09-01

In Mexico, organochlorine pesticides were used in public health and agriculture programs, causing chronic exposure to the population. Human breast milk samples were collected from 171 mothers who were residents from Guerrero, Mexico. Analysis was carried out by gas chromatography. Median concentrations (mg/kg on fat basis) for the following pesticides were: HCB, 0.009; β-HCH, 0.004; pp'DDE, 0.760; op'DDT, 0.016; pp'DDT, 0.045; and Σ-DDT, 0.833. These values are lower than in other States in Mexico, and in some countries where the use of these pesticides was banned more than 30 years ago. Differences were found in HCB, pp'DDE and pp'DDT concentrations in groups divided according to age (p < 0.05). The older age groups had higher concentrations, except for the comparison between groups 21-23/24-28 years, which were 0.913 and 0.530 mg/kg of pp'DDE, respectively. Given the restrictions on use, a greater decrease in organochlorine pesticide levels in human milk is expected in a few years.

Effects of Aqueous Extracts of Chicory and Milk Thistle on Serum Concentrations of Copper, Zinc, and Manganese in Tamoxifen-Treated Rats.

PubMed

Abbasalipourkabir, Roghayeh; Ziamajidi, Nasrin; Nasiri, Abolfazl; Behrouj, Hamid

2016-09-01

Some medications may change trace element levels in the body. Extracts of various plants, due to having the several elements, can have beneficial effects. Consumption of herbal extracts with chemical drugs may reduce adverse effects of medication. The goal of this study was to evaluate copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn) concentrations in serum of rats treated with tamoxifen, chicory, and/or milk thistle extracts. Therefore, 36 adult female Wistar rats were divided into six groups: normal control, chicory control, milk thistle control, tamoxifen, tamoxifen-chicory, and tamoxifen-milk thistle. At the end of the study, the blood samples were collected and sera isolated by centrifugation and analyzed by the atomic absorption spectrophotometry for Cu, Zn, and Mn levels. The Zn concentration increased in milk thistle-supplemented groups. The Cu level increased in the chicory control group only. Tamoxifen had no affect on Cu, Zn, and Mn levels, but seed extract of milk thistle increased Zn concentration, and chicory root extract increased Cu concentration. Although elevated levels of Cu in rats receiving tamoxifen-chicory were milder than rats treated only with chicory, it seems that the extract and tamoxifen impact on the Cu are in conflict with each other.

Sexual steroids in serum and prostatic tissue of human non-cancerous prostate (STERPROSER trial).

PubMed

Neuzillet, Yann; Raynaud, Jean-Pierre; Radulescu, Camélia; Fiet, Jean; Giton, Franck; Dreyfus, Jean-François; Ghoneim, Tarek P; Lebret, Thierry; Botto, Henry

2017-11-01

The specific involvement of the sex steroids in the growth of the prostatic tissue remains unclear. Sex steroid concentrations in plasma and in fresh surgical samples of benign central prostate were correlated to prostate volume. Monocentric prospective study performed between September 2014 and January 2017. Age, obesity parameters, and both serum and intraprostatic concentrations of sex steroids were collected complying with the latest Endocrine Society guidelines and the steroids assessed by GC/MS. Statistical calculations were adjusted for age and body mass index (BMI). Thirty-two patients, equally divided between normal- and high-volume prostate groups, were included in the analysis. High-volume prostate patients were older, heavier and had higher BMI. Comparison adjusted for age and BMI showed higher DHT concentrations in high-volume prostate. Both normal- and high-volume prostate tissues concentrate sex steroids in a similar way. Comparison of enzymatic activity surrogate marker ratios within tissue highlighted similar TT/E1 and TT/E2 ratios, and higher DHT/E1 ratio and lower DHT/PSA ratio in the high-volume prostates. STERPROSER trial provides evidence for higher DHT concentration in highvolume prostates, that could reflect either higher 5-alpha reductase expression or lower expression of downstream metabolizing enzymes such as 3a-hydoxysteroid dehydrogenase. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effect of cryopreservation methods and precryopreservation storage on bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) spermatozoa.

PubMed

Robeck, T R; O'Brien, J K

2004-05-01

Research was conducted to develop an effective method for cryopreserving bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) semen processed immediately after collection or after 24-h liquid storage. In each of two experiments, four ejaculates were collected from three males. In experiment 1, three cryopreservation methods (CM1, CM2, and CM3), two straw sizes (0.25 and 0.5 ml), and three thawing rates (slow, medium, and fast) were evaluated. Evaluations were conducted at collection, prefreeze, and 0-, 3-, and 6-h postthaw. A sperm motility index (SMI; total motility [TM] x % progressive motility [PPM] x kinetic rating [KR, scale of 0-5]) was calculated and expressed as a percentage MI of the initial ejaculate. For all ejaculates, initial TM and PPM were greater than 85%, and KR was five. At 0-h postthaw, differences in SMI among cryopreservation methods and thaw rates were observed (P < 0.05), but no effect of straw size was observed. In experiment 2, ejaculates were divided into four aliquots for dilution (1:1) and storage at 4 degrees C with a skim milk- glucose or a N-tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl-2-aminoethane sulfonic acid (TES)-TRIS egg yolk solution and at 21 degrees C with a Hepes-Tyrode balanced salt solution (containing bovine albumin and HEPES) (TALP) medium or no dilution. After 24 h, samples were frozen and thawed (CM3, 0.5-ml straws, fast thawing rate) at 20 x 10(6) spermatozoa ml(-1) (low concentration) or at 100 x 10(6) spermatozoa ml(-1) (standard concentration). The SMI at 0-h postthaw was higher for samples stored at 4 degrees C than for samples stored at 21 degrees C (P < 0.001), and at 6-h postthaw, the SMI was higher for samples frozen at the standard concentration than for samples frozen at the low concentration (P < 0.05). For both experiments, acrosome integrity was similar across treatments. In summary, a semen cryopreservation protocol applied to fresh or liquid-stored semen maintained high levels of initial ejaculate sperm characteristics.

Laser extensometer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stocker, P. J.; Marcus, H. L. (Inventor)

1977-01-01

A drift compensated and intensity averaged extensometer for measuring the diameter or other properties of a substantially cylindrical sample based upon the shadow of the sample is described. A beam of laser light is shaped to provide a beam with a uniform intensity along an axis normal to the sample. After passing the sample, the portion of the beam not striking said sample is divided by a beam splitter into a reference signal and a measurement signal. Both of these beams are then chopped by a light chopper to fall upon two photodiode detectors. The resulting ac currents are rectified and then divided into one another, with the final output being proportional to the size of the sample shadow.

Hydrogeology and water quality of the shallow aquifer system at the Mainside, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Site, Dahlgren, Virginia

USGS Publications Warehouse

Harlow, G.E.; Bell, C.F.

1996-01-01

Lithologic and geophysical logs of boreholes at 29 sites show that the hydrogeologic framework of the Mainside of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Site at Dahlgren, Virginia, consists of un-consolidated sedimentary deposits of gravel, sand, silt, and clay. The upper 220 feet of these sediments are divided into five hydrogeologic units, including the (1) Columbia (water-table) aquifer, (2) upper confining unit, (3) upper confined aquifer, (4) Nanjemoy-Marlboro confining unit, and (5) Aquia aquifer. The Columbia aquifer in the study area is a local system that is not affected by regional pumping. Ground-water recharge occurs at topographic highs in the northern part of the Mainside, and ground-water discharge occurs at topographic lows associated with adjacent surface-water bodies. Regionally, the direction of ground-water flow in the upper confined and Aquia aquifers is toward the southwest and southeast, respectively. A downward hydraulic gradient exists between the aquifers in the shallow system, and stresses on the Aquia aquifer are indicated by heads that range between 2 and 12 feet below sea level. The ratio of median horizontal hydraulic conductivity of the Columbia aquifer to median vertical hydraulic con-ductivity of the upper confining unit, however, is approximately 2,600:1; therefore, under natural- flow conditions, most water in the Columbia aquifer probably discharges to adjacent surface- water bodies. The composition and distribution of major ions vary in the Columbia aquifer. In general, water samples from wells located along the inland perimeter roads of the study area have chloride or a combination of chloride and sulfate as the dominant anions, and water samples from wells located in the interior of the study area have bicarbonate or a combination of bicarbonate and sulfate as the dominant anions. Sodium and calcium were the dominant cations in most samples. Dissolved solids and four inorganic constituents are present in water from the Columbia aquifer at concentrations that exceed the secondary maximum contaminant levels (SMCL's) for drinking water established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Concentration of dissolved solids exceed the SMCL of 500 milligrams per liter in 3 of 29 samples from the Columbia aquifer. An elevated concentration of sodium is present in one water sample, and elevated concentrations of chloride are present in two water samples. Concentrations of dissolved iron and manga-nese exceed the SMCL in 10 and 17 of 29 water samples, respectively, and are the most extensive water-quality problem with regard to inorganic constituents in the Columbia aquifer.

Addition of IGF-I to storage-cooled boar semen and its effect on sperm quality.

PubMed

Silva, D M; Zangeronimo, M G; Murgas, L D S; Rocha, L G P; Chaves, B R; Pereira, B A; Cunha, E C P

2011-12-01

To evaluate in vitro IGF-I treatment during warming of storage-cooled boar semen and its effect on seminal quality parameters and metabolism in spermatic cells. Semen samples (n=7) warmed after stored at 15°C for 24 or 72h were divided into four equal parts. Different IGF-I concentrations (0, 50, 100 and 150ng/mL) were added to the semen samples. The samples were incubated at 37°C, and assessments were made after 0 and 120min of incubation. For semen samples that were stored for 24h, the addition of IGF-I had no effect (p>0.05) on the total motility and intensity of movements by spermatic cells, osmotic resistance, live:dead cell ratio or total spermatic abnormalities. However, incubation with 150ng/mL IGF-I did decrease glutathione peroxidase activity (p<0.05) and reduce lipid peroxidation after 120min of incubation. For semen samples stored for 72h and incubated with IGF-I for 120min, there was a linear relationship between the IGF-I concentration and the live:dead ratio (p<0.05). There was a quadratic relationship between the IGF-I concentration and both the osmotic resistance (peak results at IGF-I=62.4ng/mL) and glutathione peroxidase activity (peak results at IGF-I=77.8ng/mL). There was no effect on lipid peroxidation (p>0.05) after 120min of incubation. Addition of IGF-I also decreased fructose utilization by spermatic cells regardless of semen storage time (p<0.05). This study suggests that IGF-I may be beneficial to semen stored for longer periods of time. Adding 150ng/mL IGF-I improved the quality of semen stored for 24h, and adding 78ng/mL IGF-I improved the quality of semen stored for 72h. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A weight of evidence approach for assessing remediation of ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

The Ottawa River lies in extreme northwest Ohio, flowing into Lake Erie’s western basin at the city of Toledo. The Ottawa River is a component of the Maumee River Area of Concern (AOC) as defined by the International Joint Commission. In 2009-2010 a sediment remediation project took place in the lower 8.8 miles of the river where urban and industrial activities impacted the river as a beneficial resource. Sediment was removed at designated locations based on a surface weighted average concentration model where PCB and PAH levels exceeded targeted levels. This presentation will focus on three biological tools: assessing response of tissue concentrations of PCBs and PAHs, DNA damage in Brown Bullhead and macroinvertebrate biotic condition as measured by Ohio EPA Lacustrine Index of Community Integrity (LICI). From 2009-2013 and again in 2015, pre- and post-remedy sampling of fishes representative of different trophic levels was conducted via electroshocking and fyke net sampling. The study area was divided into 3 river reaches (reaches 2, 3, & 4 numbered from down- to upstream). Fish were collected by electro-shocking or fyke netting across an entire reach where Largemouth Bass, Brown Bullhead, White Sucker, Pumpkinseed, Gizzard Shad, Bluntnose Minnow and Emerald Shiner. Blood samples were collected from 10 Brown Bullheads from each reach and processed in the field and laboratory using Comet Assay methods.Two different configurations of multiplate samplers (Hest

Effect of gamma irradiation in presence of ascorbic acid on microbial composition and TBARS concentration of ground beef coated with an edible active coating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lacroix, M.; Ouattara, B.; Saucier, L.; Giroux, M.; Smoragiewicz, W.

2004-09-01

The present study was conducted to evaluate the combined effect of gamma irradiation in presence of ascorbic acid on the microbiological characteristics and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) concentration of ground beef coated with an edible coating, crosslinked by gamma irradiation. The medium fat ground beef patties (23% fat ) were divided into two separate treatment groups: (i) control (ground beef without additive), (ii) ground beef with 0.5% (w/w) ascorbic acid. Meat samples were irradiated at doses of 0, 1, 2, and 3 kGy and stored at 4±2°C. The content of TBARS was evaluated. After 7 days of storage, Enterobacteriaceae, presumptive Staphylococcus aureus, presumptive Pseudomonas spp., Brochothrix thermosphacta and lactic acid bacteria were enumerated. Results showed that lactic acid bacteria and Br. thermosphacta were more resistant to irradiation than Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas. The content in TBARS was stabilized during post-irradiation storage for samples containing ascorbic acid. Shelf life extension periods estimated on the basis of a limit level of 6 log CFU/g for APCs were 4, 7, and 10 days for samples irradiated at 1, 2, and 3 kGy, respectively. However, the incorporation of ascorbic acid in ground beef did not improve significantly ( p>0.05) the inhibitory effect of gamma irradiation.

Extended plasma cannabinoid excretion in chronic frequent cannabis smokers during sustained abstinence and correlation with psychomotor performance.

PubMed

Karschner, Erin L; Swortwood, Madeleine J; Hirvonen, Jussi; Goodwin, Robert S; Bosker, Wendy M; Ramaekers, Johannes G; Huestis, Marilyn A

2016-07-01

Cannabis smoking increases motor vehicle accident risk. Empirically defined cannabinoid detection windows are important to drugged driving legislation. Our aims were to establish plasma cannabinoid detection windows in frequent cannabis smokers and to determine if residual cannabinoid concentrations were correlated with psychomotor performance. Twenty-eight male chronic frequent cannabis smokers resided on a secure research unit for up to 33 days with daily blood collection. Plasma specimens were analyzed for Δ(9) -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 11-hydroxy-THC (11-OH-THC), and 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THCCOOH) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Critical tracking and divided attention tasks were administered at baseline (after overnight stay to ensure lack of acute intoxication) and after 1, 2, and 3 weeks of cannabis abstinence. Twenty-seven of the twenty-eight participants were THC-positive at admission (median 4.2 µg/L). THC concentrations significantly decreased 24 h after admission, but were still ≥2 µg/L in 16 of the 28 participants 48 h after admission. THC was detected in 3 of 5 specimens on day 30. The last positive 11-OH-THC specimen was 15 days after admission. THCCOOH was measureable in 4 of 5 participants after 30 days of abstinence. Years of prior cannabis use significantly correlated with THC concentrations on admission, and days 7 and 14. Tracking error, evaluated by the Divided Attention Task, was the only evaluated psychomotor assessment significantly correlated with cannabinoid concentrations at baseline and day 8 (11-OH-THC only). Median THC was 0.3 µg/L in 5 chronic frequent cannabis smokers' plasma samples after 30 days of sustained abstinence. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Using a Divided Bar Apparatus to Measure Thermal Conductivity of Samples of Odd Sizes and Shapes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crowell, J. "; Gosnold, W. D.

2012-12-01

Standard procedure for measuring thermal conductivity using a divided bar apparatus requires a sample that has the same surface dimensions as the heat sink/source surface in the divided bar. Heat flow is assumed to be constant throughout the column and thermal conductivity (K) is determined by measuring temperatures (T) across the sample and across standard layers and using the basic relationship Ksample=(Kstandard*(ΔT1+ΔT2)/2)/(ΔTsample). Sometimes samples are not large enough or of correct proportions to match the surface of the heat sink/source, however using the equations presented here the thermal conductivity of these samples can still be measured with a divided bar. Measurements were done on the UND Geothermal Laboratories stationary divided bar apparatus (SDB). This SDB has been designed to mimic many in-situ conditions, with a temperature range of -20C to 150C and a pressure range of 0 to 10,000 psi for samples with parallel surfaces and 0 to 3000 psi for samples with non-parallel surfaces. The heat sink/source surfaces are copper disks and have a surface area of 1,772 mm2 (2.74 in2). Layers of polycarbonate 6 mm thick with the same surface area as the copper disks are located in the heat sink and in the heat source as standards. For this study, all samples were prepared from a single piece of 4 inch limestone core. Thermal conductivities were measured for each sample as it was cut successively smaller. The above equation was adjusted to include the thicknesses (Th) of the samples and the standards and the surface areas (A) of the heat sink/source and of the sample Ksample=(Kstandard*Astandard*Thsample*(ΔT1+ΔT3))/(ΔTsample*Asample*2*Thstandard). Measuring the thermal conductivity of samples of multiple sizes, shapes, and thicknesses gave consistent values for samples with surfaces as small as 50% of the heat sink/source surface, regardless of the shape of the sample. Measuring samples with surfaces smaller than 50% of the heat sink/source surface resulted in thermal conductivity values which were too high. The cause of the error with the smaller samples is being examined as is the relationship between the amount of error in the thermal conductivity and the difference in surface areas. As more measurements are made an equation to mathematically correct for the error is being developed on in case a way to physically correct the problem cannot be determined.

Impact of electromagnetic radiation emitted by monitors on changes in the cellular membrane structure and protective antioxidant effect of vitamin A - In vitro study.

PubMed

Lewicka, Małgorzata; Henrykowska, Gabriela; Zawadzka, Magdalena; Rutkowski, Maciej; Pacholski, Krzysztof; Buczyński, Andrzej

2017-07-14

The increasing number of devices emitting electromagnetic radiation (EMR) in people's everyday life attracted the attention of researchers because of possible adverse effects of this factor on living organisms. One of the EMR effect may be peroxidation of lipid membranes formed as a result of free radical process. The article presents the results of in vitro studies aimed at identifying changes in malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration - a marker of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant role of vitamin A during the exposure of blood platelets to electromagnetic radiation generated by liquid-crystal-display (LCD) monitors. Electromagnetic radiation emitted by LCD monitors is characterized by parameters: 1 kHz frequency and 220 V/m intensity (15 cm from display screen). The time of exposure was 30 and 60 min. The study was conducted on porcine blood platelets. The samples were divided into 6 groups: unexposed to radiation, unexposed + vitamin A, exposed for 30 min, exposed for 30 min + vitamin A, exposed for 60 min, exposed for 60 min + vitamin A. The MDA concentration in blood platelets increases significantly as compared to control values after 60 min of exposure to EMR. A significant decrease in MDA concentration after the addition of vitamin A was noticed. In the blood samples exposed to EMR for 30 and 60 min the MDA concentration was significantly increased by addition of vitamin A. The results show the possibly negative effect of electromagnetic radiation on the cellular membrane structure manifested by changes in malondialdehyde concentration and indicate a possible protective role of vitamin A in this process. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2017;30(5):695-703. This work is available in Open Access model and licensed under a CC BY-NC 3.0 PL license.

Antifungal Effect of Henna against Candida albicans Adhered to Acrylic Resin as a Possible Method for Prevention of Denture Stomatitis

PubMed Central

Nawasrah, Amal; AlNimr, Amani; Ali, Aiman A.

2016-01-01

Denture stomatitis is a very common disease affecting the oral mucosa of denture wearers. The aim of this study was to measure the antifungal effect of henna against Candida albicans adhered to acrylic resin as a possible method for prevention of denture stomatitis. One-hundred-eighty acrylic plates were prepared of heat-cured acrylic denture resin. The specimens were divided into six groups of 30 samples each. The first group was only polymer and monomer following the conventional manufacturer instruction for processing complete dentures. The other five groups were processed by adding different concentration of Yamani henna powder (Harazi) to the polymer in a concentration of henna: polymer 1%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10%, respectively. Samples were incubated in artificial saliva rich with Candida albicans at 37 °C, and the effect of henna on Candida albicans was evaluated in two different methods: semi-quantitative slide count and a culture-based quantitative assay (quantitative). Variation in the number of live Candida was observed with the increase in the concentration of Yamani henna powder. It was observed that the variation in live Candida, between control group and group B (concentration of Yamani henna powder was 1%), was statistically significant with a p-value of 0.0001. Similarly, variations in live Candida were significant, when the concentration of powder was 7.5% or 10% in contrast with control group and p-values were 0.0001 and 0.001 respectively. Adding henna to acrylic resin denture could be effective in controlling Candida albicans proliferation on the denture surface; however, its effects on the physical properties of acrylic resin denture need further studies. PMID:27223294

Evidence of Nonuniformity in Urothelium Barrier Function between the Upper Urinary Tract and Bladder.

PubMed

Williams, Nicholas A; Barnard, Luke; Allender, Chris J; Bowen, Jenna L; Gumbleton, Mark; Harrah, Tim; Raja, Aditya; Joshi, Hrishi B

2016-03-01

We compared the relative permeability of upper urinary tract and bladder urothelium to mitomycin C. Ex vivo porcine bladder, ureters and kidneys were dissected out and filled with 1 mg ml(-1) mitomycin C. At 60 minutes the organs were emptied and excised tissue samples were sectioned parallel to the urothelium. Sectioned tissue was homogenized and extracted mitomycin C was quantified. Transurothelial permeation across the different urothelia was calculated by normalizing the total amount of drug extracted to the surface area of the tissue sample. Average mitomycin C concentrations at different tissue depths (concentration-depth profiles) were calculated by dividing the total amount of drug recovered by the total weight of tissue. Mitomycin C permeation across the ureteral urothelium was significantly greater than across the bladder and renal pelvis urothelium (9.07 vs 0.94 and 3.61 μg cm(-2), respectively). Concentrations of mitomycin C in the ureter and kidney were markedly higher than those achieved in the bladder at all tissue depths. Average urothelial mitomycin C concentrations were greater than 6.5-fold higher in the ureter and renal pelvis than in the bladder. To our knowledge we report for the first time that the upper urinary tract and bladder show differing permeability to a single drug. Ex vivo porcine ureter is significantly more permeable to mitomycin C than bladder urothelium and consequently higher mitomycin C tissue concentrations can be achieved after topical application. Data in this study correlate with the theory that mammalian upper tract urothelium represents a different cell lineage than that of the bladder and it is innately more permeable to mitomycin C. Copyright © 2016 American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Major- and trace-element concentrations in soils from two continental-scale transects of the United States and Canada

USGS Publications Warehouse

Smith, David B.; Cannon, William F.; Woodruff, Laurel G.; Garrett, Robert G.; Klassen, Rodney; Kilburn, James E.; Horton, John D.; King, Harley D.; Goldhaber, Martin B.; Morrison, Jean M.

2005-01-01

This report contains major- and trace-element concentration data for soil samples collected from 265 sites along two continental-scale transects in North America. One of the transects extends from northern Manitoba to the United States-Mexico border near El Paso, Tex. and consists of 105 sites. The other transect approximately follows the 38th parallel from the Pacific coast of the United States near San Francisco, Calif., to the Atlantic coast along the Maryland shore and consists of 160 sites. Sampling sites were defined by first dividing each transect into approximately 40-km segments. For each segment, a 1-km-wide latitudinal strip was randomly selected; within each strip, a potential sample site was selected from the most representative landscape within the most common soil type. At one in four sites, duplicate samples were collected 10 meters apart to estimate local spatial variability. At each site, up to four separate soil samples were collected as follows: (1) material from 0-5 cm depth; (2) O horizon, if present; (3) a composite of the A horizon; and (4) C horizon. Each sample collected was analyzed for total major- and trace-element composition by the following methods: (1) inductively coupled plasmamass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICPAES) for aluminum, antimony, arsenic, barium, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, calcium, cerium, cesium, chromium, cobalt, copper, gallium, indium, iron, lanthanum, lead, lithium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, phosphorus, potassium, rubidium, scandium, silver, sodium, strontium, sulfur, tellurium, thallium, thorium, tin, titanium, tungsten, uranium, vanadium, yttrium, and zinc; (2) cold vapor- atomic absorption spectrometry for mercury; (3) hydride generation-atomic absorption spectrometry for antimony and selenium; (4) coulometric titration for carbonate carbon; and (5) combustion for total carbon and total sulfur.

Sorbent-based sampling methods for volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds in air Part 1: Sorbent-based air monitoring options.

PubMed

Woolfenden, Elizabeth

2010-04-16

Sorbent tubes/traps are widely used in combination with gas chromatographic (GC) analytical methods to monitor the vapour-phase fraction of organic compounds in air. Target compounds range in volatility from acetylene and freons to phthalates and PCBs and include apolar, polar and reactive species. Airborne vapour concentrations will vary depending on the nature of the location, nearby pollution sources, weather conditions, etc. Levels can range from low percent concentrations in stack and vent emissions to low part per trillion (ppt) levels in ultra-clean outdoor locations. Hundreds, even thousands of different compounds may be present in any given atmosphere. GC is commonly used in combination with mass spectrometry (MS) detection especially for environmental monitoring or for screening uncharacterised workplace atmospheres. Given the complexity and variability of organic vapours in air, no one sampling approach suits every monitoring scenario. A variety of different sampling strategies and sorbent media have been developed to address specific applications. Key sorbent-based examples include: active (pumped) sampling onto tubes packed with one or more sorbents held at ambient temperature; diffusive (passive) sampling onto sorbent tubes/cartridges; on-line sampling of air/gas streams into cooled sorbent traps; and transfer of air samples from containers (canisters, Tedlar) bags, etc.) into cooled sorbent focusing traps. Whichever sampling approach is selected, subsequent analysis almost always involves either solvent extraction or thermal desorption (TD) prior to GC(/MS) analysis. The overall performance of the air monitoring method will depend heavily on appropriate selection of key sampling and analytical parameters. This comprehensive review of air monitoring using sorbent tubes/traps is divided into 2 parts. (1) Sorbent-based air sampling option. (2) Sorbent selection and other aspects of optimizing sorbent-based air monitoring methods. The paper presents current state-of-the-art and recent developments in relevant areas such as sorbent research, sampler design, enhanced approaches to analytical quality assurance and on-tube derivatisation. Copyright 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Optimization of the viability of stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood after maternal supplementation with DHA during the second or third trimester of pregnancy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Martini, Irene; Di Domenico, Enea Gino; Scala, Roberta; Caruso, Francesca; Ferreri, Carla; Ubaldi, Filippo M; Lenzi, Andrea; Valensise, Herbert

2014-05-10

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is an important source of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). However, the concentration of cells in cord blood units is limited and this may represent the main restriction to their therapeutic clinical use. The percentage of metabolically active stem cells provides a measure of the viability of cells in an UCB sample. It follows that an active cellular metabolism causes a proliferation in stem cells, offering an opportunity to increase the cellular concentration. A high cell dose is essential when transplanting cord stem cells, guaranteeing, in the receiving patient, a successful outcome.This study is designed to evaluate the impact of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation in pregnant women, in order to increase the quantity and viability of the cells in UCB samples. The metabolic demand of DHA increases in the course of pregnancy and reaches maximum absorption during the third trimester of pregnancy. According to these observations, this trial will be divided into two different experimental groups: in the first group, participants will be enrolled from the 20th week of estimated stage of gestation, before the maximum absorption of DHA; while in the second group, enrolment will start from the 28th week of estimated stage of gestation, when the DHA request is higher. Participants in the trial will be divided and randomly assigned to the placebo group or to the experimental group. Each participant will receive a complete set of capsules of either placebo (250 mg of olive oil) or DHA (250 mg), to take one a day from the 20th or from the 28th week, up to the 40th week of estimated gestational age. Samples of venous blood will be taken from all participants before taking placebo or DHA, at the 20th or at the 28th week, and at the 37th to 38th week of pregnancy to monitor the level of DHA. Cell number and cellular viability will be evaluated by flow cytometry within 48 hours of the UCB sample collection. International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number Register: ISRCTN58396079. Registration date: 8 October 2013.

Retention time alignment of LC/MS data by a divide-and-conquer algorithm.

PubMed

Zhang, Zhongqi

2012-04-01

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) has become the method of choice for characterizing complex mixtures. These analyses often involve quantitative comparison of components in multiple samples. To achieve automated sample comparison, the components of interest must be detected and identified, and their retention times aligned and peak areas calculated. This article describes a simple pairwise iterative retention time alignment algorithm, based on the divide-and-conquer approach, for alignment of ion features detected in LC/MS experiments. In this iterative algorithm, ion features in the sample run are first aligned with features in the reference run by applying a single constant shift of retention time. The sample chromatogram is then divided into two shorter chromatograms, which are aligned to the reference chromatogram the same way. Each shorter chromatogram is further divided into even shorter chromatograms. This process continues until each chromatogram is sufficiently narrow so that ion features within it have a similar retention time shift. In six pairwise LC/MS alignment examples containing a total of 6507 confirmed true corresponding feature pairs with retention time shifts up to five peak widths, the algorithm successfully aligned these features with an error rate of 0.2%. The alignment algorithm is demonstrated to be fast, robust, fully automatic, and superior to other algorithms. After alignment and gap-filling of detected ion features, their abundances can be tabulated for direct comparison between samples.

Spatial distribution and concentration of sulfur in relation to vegetation cover and soil properties on a reclaimed sulfur mine site (Southern Poland).

PubMed

Likus-Cieślik, Justyna; Pietrzykowski, Marcin; Szostak, Marta; Szulczewski, Melanie

2017-02-01

This work aims to assess the spatial distribution and concentration of sulfur in the topsoil layer and to determine the relationships between sulfur concentration, soil pH, soil electrical conductivity, and plant cover at the reforested site of the former sulfur mine (Southern Poland). Soil samples were collected from 0 to 20 cm (topsoil) from a total of 86 sampling points in a regular square grid with sides of 150 m. Plant cover was assayed in circular plots with an area of 100 m 2 , divided into a woody plant layer and herbaceous plant layer. Soil properties such as particle size distribution, pH in KCl and H 2 O, soil electrical conductivity (EC), soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (N T ), and total sulfur (S T ) were determined. The degree of soil contamination with sulfur was assessed based on the guidelines of the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation (IUNG), Poland. The results indicate that remediation and application of lime were not fully effective in spatial variation, because 33 points with sulfur contamination above 500 mg kg -1 were observed. These spots occurred irregularly in the topsoil horizons. This high sulfur concentration in the soil did not result in severe acidification (below 4.5) in all cases, most likely due to neutralization from the application of high doses of flotation lime. High vegetative cover occurred at some points with high soil sulfur concentrations, with two points having S concentration above 40,000 mg kg -1 and tree cover about 60%. Numerous points with high soil EC above 1500 μS cm -1 as well as limited vegetation and high soil sulfur concentrations, however, indicate that the reclamation to forest is still not completely successful.

Plant uptake of 238U, 235U, 232Th, 226Ra, 210Pb and 40K from a coal ash and slag disposal site and control soil under field conditions: A preliminary study.

PubMed

Skoko, Božena; Marović, Gordana; Babić, Dinko; Šoštarić, Marko; Jukić, Mirela

2017-06-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the uptake of 238 U, 235 U, 232 Th, 226 Ra, 210 Pb and 40 K by plants that grow on a coal ash and slag disposal site known for its higher content of naturally occurring radionuclides. Plant species that were sampled are common for the Mediterranean flora and can be divided as follows: grasses & herbs, shrubs and trees. To compare the activity concentrations and the resultant concentration ratios of the disposal site with those in natural conditions, we used control data specific for the research area, obtained for plants growing on untreated natural soil. Radionuclide activity concentrations were determined by high resolution gamma-ray spectrometry. Media parameters (pH, electrical conductivity and organic matter content) were also analysed. We confirmed significantly higher activity concentrations of 238 U, 235 U, 226 Ra and 210 Pb in ash and slag compared to control soil. However, a significant increase in the radionuclide activity concentration in the disposal site's vegetation was observed only for 226 Ra. On the contrary, a significantly smaller activity concentration of 40 K in ash and slag had no impact on its activity concentration in plant samples. The calculated plant uptake of 238 U, 235 U, 226 Ra and 210 Pb is significantly smaller in comparison with the uptake at the control site, while it is vice versa for 40 K. No significant difference was observed between the disposal site and the control site's plant uptake of 232 Th. These results can be the foundation for further radioecological assessment of this disposal site but also, globally, they can contribute to a better understanding of nature and long-term management of such disposal sites. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparison of effects of albendazole sulfoxide on in vitro produced bovine embryos and rat embryos.

PubMed

Piscopo, S E; Smoak, I W

1997-09-01

To evaluate and compare effects of albendazole sulfoxide (ABZSO) on rat embryos and bovine embryos produced in vitro. In vitro produced bovine embryos. Rat embryos recovered from naturally bred Sprague-Dawley rats. 4- and 8-cell bovine embryos were randomly allocated to ABZSO or vehicle control groups. After 48 hours, embryos were evaluated for cell number and blastomere morphology. Rat embryos of similar stages, flushed from the uterine tube on gestational day 2-5, were randomly allocated to treatment or control groups. After 24 hours, embryos were evaluated as described previously. 44% of control bovine embryos divided in culture (> or = 16-cell stage). Fifteen percent of the controls had morphologic abnormalities, including disparity in blastomere size and cytoplasmic vacuoles and stippling. Treated (> or = 1 microgram of ABZSO/ml) bovine embryos differed (P < 0.0001) from controls, with 4% development and 93% abnormal morphology. Forty-five percent of control rat embryos divided in culture. Treated (> or = 500 ng of ABZSO/ml) rat embryos differed (P < 0.0003) from controls with regard to ability to divide. There were no consistent morphologic abnormalities in rat embryos. In vitro produced bovine embryos were susceptible to ABZSO at a concentration > or = 1 microgram/ ml, resulting in decreased ability to divide and presence of gross morphologic abnormalities. Rat embryos produced in vivo and exposed in vitro to ABZSO at a concentration > or = 500 ng/ml had decreased ability to divide in culture. Despite severe effects of ABZSO (> or = 1 microgram/ml) on bovine embryo development in vitro, it is beyond the scope of this study to speculate whether a therapeutic dosage of albendazole (10 mg/kg of body weight) would result in necessary concentrations of ABZSO in vivo to disrupt embryogenesis.

Essential trace elements in milk and blood serum of lactating donkeys as affected by lactation stage and dietary supplementation with trace elements.

PubMed

Fantuz, F; Ferraro, S; Todini, L; Mariani, P; Piloni, R; Salimei, E

2013-11-01

The aim of this trial was to study the concentration of zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), cobalt (Co) and iodine (I) in milk and blood serum of lactating donkeys, taking into account the effects of lactation stage and dietary supplementation with trace elements. During a 3-month period, 16 clinically healthy lactating donkeys (Martina-Franca-derived population), randomly divided into two homogeneous groups (control (CTL) and trace elements (TE)), were used to provide milk and blood samples at 2-week intervals. Donkeys in both groups had continuous access to meadow hay and were fed 2.5 kg of mixed feed daily, divided into two meals. The mixed feed for the TE group had the same ingredients as the CTL, but was supplemented with a commercial premix providing 163 mg Zn, 185 mg Fe, 36 mg Cu, 216 mg Mn, 0.67 mg Se, 2.78 mg Co and 3.20 mg I/kg mixed feed. The concentrations of Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Se, Co and I were measured in feeds, milk and blood serum by inductively coupled plasma-MS. Data were processed by ANOVA for repeated measures. The milk concentrations of all the investigated elements were not significantly affected by the dietary supplementation with TE. Serum concentrations of Zn, Fe, Cu Mn and Se were not affected by dietary treatment, but TE-supplemented donkeys showed significantly higher concentrations of serum Co (1.34 v. 0.69 μg/l) and I (24.42 v. 21.43 μg/l) than unsupplemented donkeys. The effect of lactation stage was significant for all the investigated elements in milk and blood serum, except for serum manganese. A clear negative trend during lactation was observed for milk Cu and Se concentrations (-38%), whereas that of Mn tended to increase. The serum Cu concentration was generally constant and that of Co tended to increase. If compared with data reported in the literature for human milk, donkey milk showed similarities for Zn, Mn, Co and I. Furthermore, this study indicated that, in the current experimental conditions, the mineral profile of donkey milk was not dependent on dietary TE supply.

[Analysis of perfluoroalkyl substances precursors in human milk from 12 provinces of China].

PubMed

Yang, Lin; Yu, Xinping; Wang, Meng; Li, Jingguang; Wang, Yuxin; Zhao, Yunfeng; Wu, Yongning

2015-06-01

To explore the level of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) precursors in Chinese human milk samples. The human milk samples were collected during the performance of Stockholm convention on survey of human milk in China in 2007. Based on the geographical location and dietary habits, China was divided into the south area and north area which 6 provinces were chosen from each area and there were 12 provinces in all. In each province, one urban site and two rural sites were selected to collect 80-110 samples. Mothers were randomly selected in each site to collect their breast milk. There were 1 237 individual human milk samples in all. For each province, the individual samples from the urban areas and the rural areas were pooled separately resulting in 24 pooled human milk samples. 11 PFAS precursors were measured in pooled samples by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem quadruple mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The dietary exposure assessment of newborns was made. Three PFAS precursors were found above the detection limits, namely, 6:2 FTS, FHUEA, and 6:2 diPAP. Their concentration ranges were < Limit of determination (LOD) -47.46 pg/ml, < LOD -70.68 pg/ml and < LOD -35.08 pg/ml, respectively. The highest total PFAS precursor concentration 77.70 pg/ml was found in urban area samples from Shannxi Province. Rural area samples from Hubei had the lowest total PFAS precursor concentration, which was below the LOD. There were significant differences between rural and urban areas in many provinces, such as Shannxi (rural: 1.51 pg/ml; urban: 77.70 pg/ml), Shanghai (rural: 1.13 pg/ml; urban: 71.88 pg/ml), Jiangxi (rural: 65.39 pg/ml; urban: 0.55 pg/ml) and so on. The ranges estimated daily intake of 6:2 FTS, FHUEA and 6:2 diPAP of the samples from 12 provinces were 0.05-4.51, 1.13-6.72 and 1.15-3.34 ng · kg⁻¹ · d⁻¹. The results suggested the human exposure of PFAS precursors in China and the potential health impact of postnatal exposure through breastfeeding to infants. The level of PFAS precursors showed differences in regions, rural and urban places.

High-efficiency concentration/multi-solar-cell system for orbital power generation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Onffroy, J. R.; Stoltzmann, D. E.; Lin, R. J. H.; Knowles, G. R.

1980-01-01

An analysis was performed to determine the economic feasibility of a concentrating spectrophotovoltaic orbital electrical power generation system. In this system dichroic beam-splitting mirrors are used to divide the solar spectrum into several wavebands. Absorption of these wavebands by solar cells with matched energy bandgaps increases the cell efficiency while decreasing the amount of heat which must be rejected. The optical concentration is performed in two stages. The first concentration stage employs a Cassegrain-type telescope, resulting in a short system length. The output from this stage is directed to compound parabolic concentrators which comprise the second stage of concentration. Ideal efficiencies for one-, two-, three-, and four-cell systems were calculated under 1000 sun, AMO conditions, and optimum energy bands were determined. Realistic efficiencies were calculated for various combinations of Si, GaAs, Ge and GaP. Efficiencies of 32 to 33 percent were obtained with the multicell systems. The optimum system consists of an f/3.5 optical system, a beam splitter to divide the spectrum at 0.9 microns, and two solar cell arrays, GaAs and Si.

Effects of prepartum dietary calcium level on calcium and magnesium metabolism in periparturient dairy cows.

PubMed

Kronqvist, C; Emanuelson, U; Spörndly, R; Holtenius, K

2011-03-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary Ca level (4.9, 9.3, and 13.6 g/kg of DM) on Ca and Mg homeostasis in dairy cows around parturition. Cows of the Swedish Red breed (n = 29) with no previous veterinary treatment for milk fever were divided into 3 groups, and each group was fed one of the different diets during the last 15 to 32 d of gestation. Calcium was added as ground limestone, and the Mg concentration was 1.8 g/kg of DM in all diets. After calving the cows were fed similar diets. Plasma was sampled twice per week until calving, and 6, 12, and 24 h, 2, 4, and 7 d after calving. Spot urine samples were collected twice weekly until calving and creatinine was used as a marker of daily urinary excretion. Fecal samples were collected 2 times per day for 5 d starting 2 wk before expected calving, and acid-insoluble ash was used as an indigestible marker to estimate digestibility. Apparent digestibility of Mg and daily Mg excretion in the urine were lower in the dry period for cows fed the highest Ca level. Plasma Mg concentration was lower on 2, 4, and 7 d after calving in cows fed the highest level of Ca. Treatment groups did not differ in plasma Ca concentration, parathyroid hormone concentration, or bone mobilization, evaluated using crosslinked carboxyterminal telopeptides of type I collagen (CTx) as a marker. Plasma Ca concentration decreased and plasma CTx concentration increased 6 h after calving. The apparent digestibility of Ca during the dry period was not affected by dietary Ca, but the cows fed 4.9 g Ca/kg of DM excreted 1.2 g of Ca/d in the urine, which was higher compared with 0.4 g/d and 0.6 g/d for the cows fed 9.3 g of Ca/kg of DM and 13.6 g of Ca/kg of DM, respectively. The results show that feeding 13.6 g of dietary Ca/kg of DM impaired the Mg absorption during the dry period, and resulted in decreased plasma Mg concentration after calving, but prepartum dietary Ca level did not affect plasma Ca, parathyroid hormone, or CTx concentrations. Copyright © 2011 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Predicting ambient aerosol thermal-optical reflectance (TOR) measurements from infrared spectra: organic carbon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dillner, A. M.; Takahama, S.

2015-03-01

Organic carbon (OC) can constitute 50% or more of the mass of atmospheric particulate matter. Typically, organic carbon is measured from a quartz fiber filter that has been exposed to a volume of ambient air and analyzed using thermal methods such as thermal-optical reflectance (TOR). Here, methods are presented that show the feasibility of using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) absorbance spectra from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE or Teflon) filters to accurately predict TOR OC. This work marks an initial step in proposing a method that can reduce the operating costs of large air quality monitoring networks with an inexpensive, non-destructive analysis technique using routinely collected PTFE filter samples which, in addition to OC concentrations, can concurrently provide information regarding the composition of organic aerosol. This feasibility study suggests that the minimum detection limit and errors (or uncertainty) of FT-IR predictions are on par with TOR OC such that evaluation of long-term trends and epidemiological studies would not be significantly impacted. To develop and test the method, FT-IR absorbance spectra are obtained from 794 samples from seven Interagency Monitoring of PROtected Visual Environment (IMPROVE) sites collected during 2011. Partial least-squares regression is used to calibrate sample FT-IR absorbance spectra to TOR OC. The FTIR spectra are divided into calibration and test sets by sampling site and date. The calibration produces precise and accurate TOR OC predictions of the test set samples by FT-IR as indicated by high coefficient of variation (R2; 0.96), low bias (0.02 μg m-3, the nominal IMPROVE sample volume is 32.8 m3), low error (0.08 μg m-3) and low normalized error (11%). These performance metrics can be achieved with various degrees of spectral pretreatment (e.g., including or excluding substrate contributions to the absorbances) and are comparable in precision to collocated TOR measurements. FT-IR spectra are also divided into calibration and test sets by OC mass and by OM / OC ratio, which reflects the organic composition of the particulate matter and is obtained from organic functional group composition; these divisions also leads to precise and accurate OC predictions. Low OC concentrations have higher bias and normalized error due to TOR analytical errors and artifact-correction errors, not due to the range of OC mass of the samples in the calibration set. However, samples with low OC mass can be used to predict samples with high OC mass, indicating that the calibration is linear. Using samples in the calibration set that have different OM / OC or ammonium / OC distributions than the test set leads to only a modest increase in bias and normalized error in the predicted samples. We conclude that FT-IR analysis with partial least-squares regression is a robust method for accurately predicting TOR OC in IMPROVE network samples - providing complementary information to the organic functional group composition and organic aerosol mass estimated previously from the same set of sample spectra (Ruthenburg et al., 2014).

Importance of closely spaced vertical sampling in delineating chemical and microbiological gradients in groundwater studies

USGS Publications Warehouse

Smith, R.L.; Harvey, R.W.; LeBlanc, D.R.

1991-01-01

Vertical gradients of selected chemical constituents, bacterial populations, bacterial activity and electron acceptors were investigated for an unconfined aquifer contaminated with nitrate and organic compounds on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, U.S.A. Fifteen-port multilevel sampling devices (MLS's) were installed within the contaminant plume at the source of the contamination, and at 250 and 2100 m downgradient from the source. Depth profiles of specific conductance and dissolved oxygen at the downgradient sites exhibited vertical gradients that were both steep and inversely related. Narrow zones (2-4 m thick) of high N2O and NH4+ concentrations were also detected within the contaminant plume. A 27-fold change in bacterial abundance; a 35-fold change in frequency of dividing cells (FDC), an indicator of bacterial growth; a 23-fold change in 3H-glucose uptake, a measure of heterotrophic activity; and substantial changes in overall cell morphology were evident within a 9-m vertical interval at 250 m downgradient. The existence of these gradients argues for the need for closely spaced vertical sampling in groundwater studies because small differences in the vertical placement of a well screen can lead to incorrect conclusions about the chemical and microbiological processes within an aquifer.Vertical gradients of selected chemical constituents, bacterial populations, bacterial activity and electron acceptors were investigated for an unconfined aquifer contaminated with nitrate and organic compounds on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA. Fifteen-port multilevel sampling devices (MLS's) were installed within the contaminant plume at the source of the contamination, and at 250 and 2100 m downgradient from the source. Depth profiles of specific conductance and dissolved oxygen at the downgradient sites exhibited vertical gradients that were both steep and inversely related. Narrow zones (2-4 m thick) of high N2O and NH4+ concentrations were also detected within the contaminant plume. A 27-fold change in bacterial abundance; a 35-fold change in frequency of dividing cells (FDC), an indicator of bacterial growth; a 23-fold change in 3H-glucose uptake, a measure of heterotrophic activity; and substantial changes in overall cell morphology were evident within a 9-m vertical interval at 250 m downgradient. The existence of these gradients argues for the need for closely spaced vertical sampling in ground-water studies because small differences in the vertical placement of a well screen can lead to incorrect conclusions about the chemical and microbiological processes within an aquifer.

Injectable tissue-engineered cartilage using commercially available fibrin glue.

PubMed

Cakmak, Ozcan; Babakurban, Seda T; Akkuzu, Hatice G; Bilgi, Selcuk; Ovalı, Ercüment; Kongur, Merve; Altintas, Hande; Yilmaz, Bayram; Bilezikçi, Banu; Celik, Zerrin Y; Yakicier, Mustafa C; Sahin, Feride I

2013-12-01

To achieve injectable tissue-engineered cartilage using a commercially available fibrin sealant, and to determine the most suitable fibrin glue concentration, cartilage source, and cultured chondrocyte concentration. Animal research. A total of 28 immunocompetent New Zealand white rabbits were divided into four groups. The cultured chondrocytes from different anatomical sources carried in fibrin glue with and without aprotinin in different concentrations of fibrinogen and thrombin (Tisseell), were injected into forehead and interocular regions of the rabbits. The new tissue formation was harvested at 8 weeks and analyzed through gross and histological analysis. The new tissue formations were found in round, elliptical, and flat forms. The mean value of Tisseell and cell suspension was 0.8 cc in all of the rabbits' injection regions, but the mean volume of the samples in which immature cartilage matrix and mature cartilage was 0.1 cc. In the 20 of the 55 injection regions of rabbits (36, 36%), mature and/or immature cartilage formation were observed. We observed inflammatory reactions, abscess formation, and foreign body reactions around the new cartilage tissue of tissue-engineered cartilage. The comparison of results using different cartilage sources, chondrocyte concentrations, or different fibrin glue concentrations did not show any significant difference. We observed that changing the concentrations of ingredients of commercially available fibrin glue, the source of the cartilage, or the cultured chondrocyte concentration did not have significant effect on neocartilage formation. Copyright © 2013 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.

Concentrations of chlorinated organic compounds in biota and bed sediment in streams of the lower San Joaquin River drainage, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Brown, Larry R.

1998-01-01

Samples of resident biota and bed sediments were collected in 1992 from 18 sites on or near the floor of the San Joaquin Valley, California, for analysis of 33 organochlorine compounds. The sites were divided into five groups on the basis of physiographic region and land use. Ten compounds were detected in tissue, and 16 compounds were detected in bed sediment. The most frequently detected compound in both media was p,p'-DDE. Concentrations of total DDT (sum of o,p'- and p,p'-forms of DDD, DDE, and DDT) were statistically different among groups of sites for tissue and sediment (Kruskal-Wallis, P < 0.05). Concentrations in both media were highest in streams draining the west side of the valley. Concentrations of total DDT in tissue were significantly correlated with specific conductance, pH, and total alkalinity (P < 0.05), which are indicators of the proportion of irrigation-return flows in stream discharge. Concentrations in sediment on a dry-weight basis were not correlated with these water-quality parameters, but total-organic- carbon (TOC) normalized concentrations were significantly correlated with specific conductance and pH (P < 0.05). Regressions of the concentration of total DDT in tissue as a function of total DDT in bed sediment were significant and explained as much as 76 percent of the variance in the data. The concentration of total DDT in sediment may be related to mechanisms of soil transport to surface water with bioavailability of compounds related to the concentration of TOC in sediment.

Persistence and dioxin-like toxicity of carbazole and chlorocarbazoles in soil.

PubMed

Mumbo, John; Henkelmann, Bernhard; Abdelaziz, Ahmed; Pfister, Gerd; Nguyen, Nghia; Schroll, Reiner; Munch, Jean Charles; Schramm, Karl-Werner

2015-01-01

Halogenated carbazoles have recently been detected in soil and water samples, but their environmental effects and fate are unknown. Eighty-four soil samples obtained from a site with no recorded history of pollution were used to assess the persistence and dioxin-like toxicity of carbazole and chlorocarbazoles in soil under controlled conditions for 15 months. Soil samples were divided into two temperature conditions, 15 and 20 °C, both under fluctuating soil moisture conditions comprising 19 and 44 drying-rewetting cycles, respectively. This was characterized by natural water loss by evaporation and rewetting to -15 kPa. Accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) and cleanup were performed after incubation. Identification and quantification were done using high-resolution gas chromatogram/mass spectrometer (HRGC/MS), while dioxin-like toxicity was determined by ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) induction in H4IIA rat hepatoma cells assay and multidimensional quantitative structure-activity relationships (mQSAR) modelling. Carbazole, 3-chlorocarbazole and 3,6-dichlorocarbazole were detected including trichlorocarbazole not previously reported in soils. Carbazole and 3-chlorocarbazole showed significant dissipation at 15 °C but not at 20 °C incubating conditions indicating that low temperature could be suitable for dissipation of carbazole and chlorocarbazoles. 3,6-Dichlorocarbazole was resistant at both conditions. Trichlorocarbazole however exhibited a tendency to increase in concentration with time. 3-Chlorocarbazole, 3,6-dibromocarbazole and selected soil extracts exhibited EROD activity. Dioxin-like toxicity did not decrease significantly with time, whereas the sum chlorocarbazole toxic equivalence concentrations (∑TEQ) did not contribute significantly to the soil assay dioxin-like toxicity equivalent concentrations (TCDD-EQ). Carbazole and chlorocarbazoles are persistent with the latter also toxic in natural conditions.

Characteristics of Wet Deposition in Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iwasaki, A.; Arakaki, T.

2017-12-01

Acid deposition survey in Japan has started since 1991 by Japan Environmental Laboratories Association (JELA). The JELA has about 60 monitoring sites for wet deposition including remote, rural and urban area. The measured constituents of wet deposition are; precipitation, pH, electric conductivity, major Anions, and major Cations. From those data, we analyze spatial and temporal variations of wet deposition components in Japan. Among the 60 monitoring sites, 39 sampling sites were selected in this study, which have kept sampling continuously between 2003JFY and 2014JFY. All samples were collected by wet-only samplers. To analyze area characteristics, all the areas were divided into 6 regions; Northern part of Japan (NJ), Facing the Japan Sea (JS), Eastern part of Japan (EJ), Central part of Japan (CJ), Western part of Japan (WJ) and Southern West Islands (SW). NO3- and non-sea-salt-SO42- (nss-SO42-) are major components of rain acidification. Especially, between December and February (winter) the air mass from west affected the temporal variations of those acid components and the concentrations were higher in JS and WJ regions than those in other regions. Japanese ministry of the Environment reported that mixing ratio of NO2 in Japan has been less than 0.04ppm since 1976, and that of SO2 has been less than 0.02ppm since 1978. Their concentrations in Japan have remained flat or slowly decreased recently. However the temporal variations of NO3-/nss-SO42- ratio in winter in JS region were significantly increased on average at 2.2% y-1 from 2003JFY to 2014JFY. The results suggest that long-range transboundary air pollutants increased NO3- concentrations and NO3-/nss-SO42- ratio.

Spatial variation of radon and helium in soil gas vis-à-vis geology of area, NW Himalayas, India

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahajan, S.; Bajwa, B.; Kumar, A.; Singh, S.; Walia, V.; Yang, T. F.

2009-12-01

In an effort to quantify the geological/lithological control on radon, helium soil gas potential and appraise the use of soil gas technique as a geological mapping tool, soil gas measurements were made, in some parts of Himachal Himalayas of NW Himalayan range, using soil gas grab sampling technique. More than 360 soil gas samples were collected from four different geological/lithologic rock units of the area under consideration. The collected soil gas samples were analyzed for radon and helium using RTM-2100 (SARAD) and Helium leak detector (ALCATEL) respectively. The observed values were then correlated with the geology/lithology of the study area. The study area is broadly divided into four different units on the basis of geology/lithology i.e. (A) Upper Shiwaliks (B) Middle & Lower Shiwaliks (C) Lesser Himalayan rocks (D) Higher Himalayan rocks. Significant differences in the soil gas concentrations among the geologic units were observed, where Lesser Himalayan rocks showing maximum concentrations of both radon (254 KBq/m3) and helium (5.46 ppm). Lesser Himalayan zone lies mainly between two major thrusts MBT and MCT running along the Himalayan trend, which still are tectonically active. It can be concluded from the present study that soil gases (radon and helium) can be used as a productive tool for geological mapping. These findings may have very important connation for health risk assessment of the area, since it has been shown that radon soil gas found in soils overlying basement rocks are the main source for indoor radon concentrations. Radioactive isotopes attach rapidly to atmospheric aerosols and can enter into a human body thus constitute significant hazard to human health.

Hydration state of the moss Hylocomium splendens and the lichen Cladina stellaris governs uptake and revolatilization of airborne α- and γ-hexachlorocyclohexane.

PubMed

Kylin, Henrik; Bouwman, Henk

2012-10-16

The partitioning of α- and γ-hexachlorocyclohexane between air and the moss Hylocomium splendens and the lichen Cladina stellaris were studied under laboratory conditions. After cultivation of the sample material to obtain a common starting point free from outside influence, the material was divided into four different treatment categories with different hydration/desiccation regimes. The concentrations of the analytes were 3-5 times higher in the hydrated moss or lichen than in the desiccated material. The results are in contrast to how these compounds are taken up by pine needles in which there is a continuous accumulation, more rapid during periods with high temperatures and dry weather. In general, the different adaptations to water economy is a more important explanatory factor for the concentration of airborne hydrophobic pollutants in mosses, lichens, and vascular plants than their designation as "plants" in a broad sense. It is, therefore, not advisible to mix data from different organism groups for monitoring or modeling purposes.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

David A. King, CHP, PMP

Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU), under the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) contract, collected split surface water samples with Nuclear Fuel Services (NFS) representatives on August 22, 2012. Representatives from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation were also in attendance. Samples were collected at four surface water stations, as required in the approved Request for Technical Assistance number 11-018. These stations included Nolichucky River upstream (NRU), Nolichucky River downstream (NRD), Martin Creek upstream (MCU), and Martin Creek downstream (MCD). Both ORAU and NFS performed gross alpha and gross beta analyses. Themore » comparison of results using the duplicate error ratio (DER), also known as the normalized absolute difference. A DER ≤ 3 indicates that, at a 99% confidence interval, split sample results do not differ significantly when compared to their respective one standard deviation (sigma) uncertainty. The NFS split sample report does not specify the confidence level of reported uncertainties. Therefore, standard two sigma reporting is assumed and uncertainty values were divided by 1.96. A comparison of split sample results, using the DER equation, indicates one set with a DER greater than 3. A DER of 3.1 is calculated for gross alpha results from ORAU sample 5198W0003 and NFS sample MCU-310212003. The ORAU result is 0.98 ± 0.30 pCi/L (value ± 2 sigma) compared to the NFS result of -0.08 ± 0.60 pCi/L. Relatively high DER values are not unexpected for low (e.g., background) analyte concentrations analyzed by separate laboratories, as is the case here. It is noted, however, NFS uncertainties are at least twice the ORAU uncertainties, which contributes to the elevated DER value. Differences in ORAU and NFS minimum detectable activities are even more pronounced. comparison of ORAU and NFS split samples produces reasonably consistent results for low (e.g., background) concentrations.« less

Avian plasma chemistry analysis using diluted samples.

PubMed

Waldoch, Jennifer; Wack, Raymund; Christopher, Mary

2009-12-01

Clinical chemistry tests are essential for the diagnosis and monitoring of disease in birds. The small volume of blood that can be obtained from many avian species limits the use of routine in-house chemistry analyzers. The aim of this study was to examine the accuracy and precision of avian plasma chemistry values obtained by use of a benchtop analyzer in samples diluted with sterile water, as compared with undiluted samples. Whole blood samples were collected from 13 clinically healthy thick-billed parrots (Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha). The samples were placed in lithium heparin tubes and centrifuged and the plasma decanted. One aliquot was analyzed immediately using a VetScan benchtop analyzer with an avian-reptile-specific rotor that included 12 analytes. The remainder of the plasma was divided into two aliquots and stored at -80 degrees C until analysis. One of these aliquots was diluted 1:1, 1:1.5, 1:2, and 1:2.5 with sterile water to give final dilutions of 1:2, 1:2.5, 1:3, and 1:3.5, respectively. The other aliquot was pooled with the 12 other samples to create a plasma pool. The undiluted plasma pool and two final dilutions (1:2 and 1:3) of the pooled plasma were analyzed in replicate (n = 20) to determine intra- and interassay imprecision. Each dilution was analyzed using the avian-reptile rotor and the results multiplied by the appropriate dilution factor to obtain the final result. Significant differences were observed in clinical chemistry results obtained from diluted plasma samples for all analytes except aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, and glucose. Uric acid concentration was not significantly different at dilutions of up to 1:3. Bile acids, globulins, and sodium concentrations were below the limit of detection in all diluted samples and were not statistically analyzed. Based on these results, dilution with sterile water is not recommended for biochemical analysis of avian plasma using the VetScan benchtop analyzer.

Comparison of three sampling and analytical methods for the determination of airborne hexavalent chromium.

PubMed

Boiano, J M; Wallace, M E; Sieber, W K; Groff, J H; Wang, J; Ashley, K

2000-08-01

A field study was conducted with the goal of comparing the performance of three recently developed or modified sampling and analytical methods for the determination of airborne hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)). The study was carried out in a hard chrome electroplating facility and in a jet engine manufacturing facility where airborne Cr(VI) was expected to be present. The analytical methods evaluated included two laboratory-based procedures (OSHA Method ID-215 and NIOSH Method 7605) and a field-portable method (NIOSH Method 7703). These three methods employ an identical sampling methodology: collection of Cr(VI)-containing aerosol on a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) filter housed in a sampling cassette, which is connected to a personal sampling pump calibrated at an appropriate flow rate. The basis of the analytical methods for all three methods involves extraction of the PVC filter in alkaline buffer solution, chemical isolation of the Cr(VI) ion, complexation of the Cr(VI) ion with 1,5-diphenylcarbazide, and spectrometric measurement of the violet chromium diphenylcarbazone complex at 540 nm. However, there are notable specific differences within the sample preparation procedures used in three methods. To assess the comparability of the three measurement protocols, a total of 20 side-by-side air samples were collected, equally divided between a chromic acid electroplating operation and a spray paint operation where water soluble forms of Cr(VI) were used. A range of Cr(VI) concentrations from 0.6 to 960 microg m(-3), with Cr(VI) mass loadings ranging from 0.4 to 32 microg, was measured at the two operations. The equivalence of the means of the log-transformed Cr(VI) concentrations obtained from the different analytical methods was compared. Based on analysis of variance (ANOVA) results, no statistically significant differences were observed between mean values measured using each of the three methods. Small but statistically significant differences were observed between results obtained from performance evaluation samples for the NIOSH field method and the OSHA laboratory method.

Numerical modeling of the divided bar measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

LEE, Y.; Keehm, Y.

2011-12-01

The divided-bar technique has been used to measure thermal conductivity of rocks and fragments in heat flow studies. Though widely used, divided-bar measurements can have errors, which are not systematically quantified yet. We used an FEM and performed a series of numerical studies to evaluate various errors in divided-bar measurements and to suggest more reliable measurement techniques. A divided-bar measurement should be corrected against lateral heat loss on the sides of rock samples, and the thermal resistance at the contacts between the rock sample and the bar. We first investigated how the amount of these corrections would change by the thickness and thermal conductivity of rock samples through numerical modeling. When we fixed the sample thickness as 10 mm and varied thermal conductivity, errors in the measured thermal conductivity ranges from 2.02% for 1.0 W/m/K to 7.95% for 4.0 W/m/K. While we fixed thermal conductivity as 1.38 W/m/K and varied the sample thickness, we found that the error ranges from 2.03% for the 30 mm-thick sample to 11.43% for the 5 mm-thick sample. After corrections, a variety of error analyses for divided-bar measurements were conducted numerically. Thermal conductivity of two thin standard disks (2 mm in thickness) located at the top and the bottom of the rock sample slightly affects the accuracy of thermal conductivity measurements. When the thermal conductivity of a sample is 3.0 W/m/K and that of two standard disks is 0.2 W/m/K, the relative error in measured thermal conductivity is very small (~0.01%). However, the relative error would reach up to -2.29% for the same sample when thermal conductivity of two disks is 0.5 W/m/K. The accuracy of thermal conductivity measurements strongly depends on thermal conductivity and the thickness of thermal compound that is applied to reduce thermal resistance at contacts between the rock sample and the bar. When the thickness of thermal compound (0.29 W/m/K) is 0.03 mm, we found that the relative error in measured thermal conductivity is 4.01%, while the relative error can be very significant (~12.2%) if the thickness increases to 0.1 mm. Then, we fixed the thickness (0.03 mm) and varied thermal conductivity of the thermal compound. We found that the relative error with an 1.0 W/m/K compound is 1.28%, and the relative error with a 0.29 W/m/K is 4.06%. When we repeated this test with a different thickness of the thermal compound (0.1 mm), the relative error with an 1.0 W/m/K compound is 3.93%, and that with a 0.29 W/m/K is 12.2%. In addition, the cell technique by Sass et al.(1971), which is widely used to measure thermal conductivity of rock fragments, was evaluated using the FEM modeling. A total of 483 isotropic and homogeneous spherical rock fragments in the sample holder were used to test numerically the accuracy of the cell technique. The result shows the relative error of -9.61% for rock fragments with the thermal conductivity of 2.5 W/m/K. In conclusion, we report quantified errors in the divided-bar and the cell technique for thermal conductivity measurements for rocks and fragments. We found that the FEM modeling can accurately mimic these measurement techniques and can help us to estimate measurement errors quantitatively.

Split Flow Online Solid-Phase Extraction Coupled with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry System for One-Shot Data Acquisition of Quantification and Recovery Efficiency.

PubMed

Furukawa, Makoto; Takagai, Yoshitaka

2016-10-04

Online solid-phase extraction (SPE) coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) is a useful tool in automatic sequential analysis. However, it cannot simultaneously quantify the analytical targets and their recovery percentages (R%) in one-shot samples. We propose a system that simultaneously acquires both data in a single sample injection. The main flowline of the online solid-phase extraction is divided into main and split flows. The split flow line (i.e., bypass line), which circumvents the SPE column, was placed on the main flow line. Under program-controlled switching of the automatic valve, the ICPMS sequentially measures the targets in a sample before and after column preconcentration and determines the target concentrations and the R% on the SPE column. This paper describes the system development and two demonstrations to exhibit the analytical significance, i.e., the ultratrace amounts of radioactive strontium ( 90 Sr) using commercial Sr-trap resin and multielement adsorbability on the SPE column. This system is applicable to other flow analyses and detectors in online solid phase extraction.

Hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens as a drug-delivery system for fourth-generation fluoroquinolones.

PubMed

Kleinmann, Guy; Apple, David J; Chew, Jesse; Hunter, Brian; Stevens, Scott; Larson, Scott; Mamalis, Nick; Olson, Randall J

2006-10-01

To evaluate the ability and safety of a hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) as a drug-delivery system for commercially available gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin. David J. Apple, MD, Laboratories for Ophthalmic Research, John A. Moran Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Thirty rabbits were divided into 2 similar groups. In Group A (15 rabbits, 30 eyes), hydrophilic acrylic IOLs (C-flex, Rayner Intraocular Lenses, Ltd.) presoaked for 24 hours in commercially available solutions of gatifloxacin 3 mg/mL or moxifloxacin 5 mg/mL were implanted after evacuation of the crystalline lens. Group B (15 rabbits, 30 eyes) had topical preoperative and postoperative cataract prophylaxis with gatifloxacin 3 mg/mL or moxifloxacin 5 mg/mL; IOLs that were not presoaked were also implanted after evacuation of the crystalline lenses. In both groups, aqueous humor samples were taken 4, 8, or 12 hours after IOL implantation (5 eyes at each time point) to determine the antibiotic concentrations. Clinical examinations were performed 24 hours postoperatively. The antibiotic concentrations in Group A (presoaked IOLs) were statistically significantly higher than those in Group B (topical) for both antibiotics in all postoperative samples except moxifloxacin at 12 hours. In both groups, there was no statistically significant difference between the concentrations of the 2 antibiotics. No eye showed signs of clinical toxicity. Results show the C-flex IOL is a safe and effective drug-delivery system for fourth-generation fluoroquinolones.

[Age-related change in the alpha-tocopherolquinone/alpha-tocopherol ratio in the rat erythrocyte membrane].

PubMed

Yanagawa, K; Takeda, H; Matsumiya, T; Takasaki, M

1999-05-01

alpha-Tocopherol (alpha-Toc), a lipophilic phenolic antioxidant that is localized mainly in the biomembrane, protects cells against oxidation-associated cytotoxicity by prevention of membrane lipid peroxidation, maintenance of the redox balance intracellular thiols and stabilization of the membrane structure. We investigated the age-related changes in redox dynamics of alpha-Toc in plasma and erythrocyte membrane of an elderly (66 weeks old) and young group (10 weeks old). Total, alpha-, beta + gamma-, delta-Toc and alpha-tocopherolquinone (alpha-TocQ) in plasma and erythrocyte membrane were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a series of multiple coulometric working electrodes (CWE). Rat venous blood sample was divided into plasma and erythrocyte layers by centrifugation, and then erythrocyte membrane sample was prepared according to the method of Dodge et al. under a stream of nitrogen. In plasma, total and alpha-Toc concentrations were increased, and beta + gamma-, delta-Toc and alpha-TocQ concentrations were decreased age-dependently. In the erythrocyte membrane, total, alpha-TocQ concentrations and three fractions of tocopherols decreased age-dependently. Also, a decrease in the alpha-TocQ/alpha-Toc ratio in erythrocyte membrane was observed in the elderly group. These findings suggest that the alpha-Toc uptake in erythrocyte membrane and utilization rate of alpha-Toc in erythrocyte membrane decline age-dependently. This decline may promote membrane lipid peroxidation. alpha-Toc redox dynamics in erythrocyte membrane were useful to investigate the pathophysiology of aging mechanisms related to oxidative stress.

Enamel alteration following tooth bleaching and remineralization.

PubMed

Coceska, Emilija; Gjorgievska, Elizabeta; Coleman, Nichola J; Gabric, Dragana; Slipper, Ian J; Stevanovic, Marija; Nicholson, John W

2016-06-01

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of professional tooth whitening agents containing highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide (with and without laser activation), on the enamel surface; and the potential of four different toothpastes to remineralize any alterations. The study was performed on 50 human molars, divided in two groups: treated with Opalescence(®) Boost and Mirawhite(®) Laser Bleaching. Furthermore, each group was divided into five subgroups, a control one and 4 subgroups remineralized with: Mirasensitive(®) hap+, Mirawhite(®) Gelleѐ, GC Tooth Mousse™ and Mirafluor(®) C. The samples were analysed by SEM/3D-SEM-micrographs, SEM/EDX-qualitative analysis and SEM/EDX-semiquantitative analysis. The microphotographs show that both types of bleaching cause alterations: emphasized perikymata, erosions, loss of interprizmatic substance; the laser treatment is more aggressive and loss of integrity of the enamel is determined by shearing off the enamel rods. In all samples undergoing remineralization deposits were observed, those of toothpastes based on calcium phosphate technologies seem to merge with each other and cover almost the entire surface of the enamel. Loss of integrity and minerals were detected only in the line-scans of the sample remineralized with GC Tooth Mousse™. The semiquantitative EDX analysis of individual elements in the surface layer of the enamel indicates that during tooth-bleaching with HP statistically significant loss of Na and Mg occurs, whereas the bleaching in combination with a laser leads to statistically significant loss of Ca and P. The results undoubtedly confirm that teeth whitening procedures lead to enamel alterations. In this context, it must be noted that laser bleaching is more aggressive for dental substances. However, these changes are reversible and can be repaired by application of remineralization toothpastes. © 2015 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2015 Royal Microscopical Society.

Potential toxicity of pesticides measured in midwestern streams to aquatic organisms

USGS Publications Warehouse

Battaglin, W.; Fairchild, J.

2002-01-01

Society is becoming increasingly aware of the value of healthy aquatic ecosystems as well as the effects that man’s activities have on those ecosystems. In recent years, many urban and industrial sources of contamination have been reduced or eliminated. The agricultural community also has worked towards reducing off-site movement of agricultural chemicals, but their use in farming is still growing. A small fraction, estimated at <1 to 2% of the pesticides applied to crops are lost from fields and enter nearby streams during rainfall events. In many cases aquatic organisms are exposed to mixtures of chemicals, which may lead to greater non-target risk than that predicted based on traditional risk assessments for single chemicals. We evaluated the potential toxicity of environmental mixtures of 5 classes of pesticides using concentrations from water samples collected from ∼50 sites on midwestern streams during late spring or early summer runoff events in 1989 and 1998. Toxicity index values are calculated as the concentration of the compound in the sample divided by the EC50 or LC50 of an aquatic organism. These index values are summed within a pesticide class and for all classes to determine additive pesticide class and total pesticide toxicity indices. Toxicity index values greater than 1.0 indicate probable toxicity of a class of pesticides measured in a water sample to aquatic organisms. Results indicate that some samples had probable toxicity to duckweed and green algae, but few are suspected of having significant toxicity to bluegill sunfish or chorus frogs.

Microbiological and biochemical characteristics of ground beef as affected by gamma irradiation, food additives and edible coating film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ouattara, B.; Giroux, M.; Yefsah, R.; Smoragiewicz, W.; Saucier, L.; Borsa, J.; Lacroix, M.

2002-03-01

The current interest in "minimally processed foods" has attracted the attention for combination of mild treatments to improve food safety and shelf-life extention. The present study was conducted to evaluate the combined effect of gamma irradiation and incorporation of naturally occurring antimicrobial compounds on microbial and biochemistry characteristics of ground beef. Ground beef patties (23% fat ) were purchased from a local grocery store (IGA, Laval, Que., Canada) and divided into 3 separate treatment groups: (i) control (ground beef without additive), (ii) ground beef with 0.5% (w/w) ascorbic acid, and (iii) ground beef with 0.5% ascorbic acid and coated with a protein-based coating containing selected spices. Samples were irradiated at 0, 1, 2, and 3 kGy final dose at the CIC. Samples were stored at 4°C and evaluated periodically for microbial growth, total thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS) and free sulfydryl content. At the end of the storage period, Enterobacteriaceae, Lactic acid bacteria, Pseudomonas and Brochothrix thermosphacta were enumerated. Regardless of the treatment group, irradiation significantly ( p⩽0.05) reduced the total aerobic plate counts (APC). Irradiation doses of 1, 2, and 3 kGy produced immediate reduction of 2, 3, and 4 log units of APCs, respectively. Also, shelf-life periods were higher for ground beef samples containing food additives. Lactic acid bacteria and Brochothrix thermosphacta were more resistant to irradiation than Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas. Concentration of TBARS and free sulfydryl concentrations were stabilized during post-irradiation storage for samples containing ascorbic acid and coated with the protein-based coating containing spices.

Determination of micro-organic contaminants in groundwater (Maribor, Slovenia).

PubMed

Koroša, A; Auersperger, P; Mali, N

2016-11-15

Micro-organic (MO) contaminants in groundwater can have adverse effects on both the environment and on human health. They enter the natural environment as a result of various processes, their presence in groundwater is the result of current anthropogenic activity and pollution loads from the past. A study on the occurrence and concentrations levels of selected contaminants in water was performed in the city of Maribor, Slovenia. A total of 56 groundwater and 4 surface water samples were collected in together four rounds in different hydrogeological periods (dry and wet seasons), and a total of 13 selected contaminants were analysed in this study. Carbamazepine, propyphenazone, caffeine, 2-methyl-2H-benzotriazole (2-MBT) and 2.4-dimethyl-2H-benzotriazole (2.4-DMBT) were determined as indicators of urban pollution, while pesticides and their metabolites (atrazine, desethylatrazine, deisopropylatrazine, terbuthylazine, desethylterbuthylazine, metolachlor, simazine, propazine) were mainly defined as indicators of crop production. All of the selected MO contaminants were detected both in the aquifer and Drava River. The most frequently detected MO compounds in groundwater were desethylatrazine (frequency of detection 98.2%; max. concentration 103.0ngL(-1)), atrazine (94.6%; 229ngL(-1)), 2.4-DMBT (92.9%; 273ngL(-1)), carbamazepine (80.4%; 88.00ngL(-1)), desethylterbuthylazine (76.8%; 7.0ngL(-1)) and simazine (76.8%; 29.6ngL(-1)), whereas propyphenazone (14.3%; 10.7ngL(-1)) was the least frequently detected. Detected MO concentrations in the study were compared with results published elsewhere around the world. Concentrations in groundwater indicate specific land use in their recharge areas. On the basis of correlations and the spatial distribution of selected MOs, groundwater origin for every sampling point was determined. Sampling sites were divided into three different groups for which indicative groundwater quality properties were defined. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Modified Hopfield Neural Network Algorithm (MHNNA) Using ALOS Image for Water Quality Mapping

PubMed Central

Kzar, Ahmed Asal; Mat Jafri, Mohd Zubir; Mutter, Kussay N.; Syahreza, Saumi

2015-01-01

Decreasing water pollution is a big problem in coastal waters. Coastal health of ecosystems can be affected by high concentrations of suspended sediment. In this work, a Modified Hopfield Neural Network Algorithm (MHNNA) was used with remote sensing imagery to classify the total suspended solids (TSS) concentrations in the waters of coastal Langkawi Island, Malaysia. The adopted remote sensing image is the Advanced Land Observation Satellite (ALOS) image acquired on 18 January 2010. Our modification allows the Hopfield neural network to convert and classify color satellite images. The samples were collected from the study area simultaneously with the acquiring of satellite imagery. The sample locations were determined using a handheld global positioning system (GPS). The TSS concentration measurements were conducted in a lab and used for validation (real data), classification, and accuracy assessments. Mapping was achieved by using the MHNNA to classify the concentrations according to their reflectance values in band 1, band 2, and band 3. The TSS map was color-coded for visual interpretation. The efficiency of the proposed algorithm was investigated by dividing the validation data into two groups. The first group was used as source samples for supervisor classification via the MHNNA. The second group was used to test the MHNNA efficiency. After mapping, the locations of the second group in the produced classes were detected. Next, the correlation coefficient (R) and root mean square error (RMSE) were calculated between the two groups, according to their corresponding locations in the classes. The MHNNA exhibited a higher R (0.977) and lower RMSE (2.887). In addition, we test the MHNNA with noise, where it proves its accuracy with noisy images over a range of noise levels. All results have been compared with a minimum distance classifier (Min-Dis). Therefore, TSS mapping of polluted water in the coastal Langkawi Island, Malaysia can be performed using the adopted MHNNA with remote sensing techniques (as based on ALOS images). PMID:26729148

Concentrations and profiles of bisphenol A and other bisphenol analogues in foodstuffs from the United States and their implications for human exposure.

PubMed

Liao, Chunyang; Kannan, Kurunthachalam

2013-05-15

As the concern over the safety of bisphenol A (BPA) continues to grow, this compound is gradually being replaced, in industrial applications, with compounds such as bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol S (BPS). Occurrence of bisphenols, including BPA and BPS, has been reported in paper products and in environmental matrices. Information on the occurrence of bisphenols, other than BPA, in foodstuffs, however, is scarce. In this study, several bisphenol analogues, including BPA, BPF, and BPS, were analyzed in foodstuffs (N = 267) collected from Albany, NY, USA, using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Foodstuffs were divided into nine categories of beverages, dairy products, fats and oils, fish and seafood, cereals, meat and meat products, fruits, vegetables, and "others". Bisphenols were found in the majority (75%) of the food samples, and the total concentrations of bisphenols (ΣBPs: sum of eight bisphenols) were in the range of below the limit of quantification (LOQ) to 1130 ng/g fresh weight, with an overall mean value of 4.38 ng/g. The highest overall mean concentration of ΣBPs was found in the "others" category, which included condiments (preserved, ready-to-serve foods). A sample of mustard (dressing) and ginger, placed in the category of vegetables, contained the highest concentrations of 1130 ng/g for bisphenol F (BPF) and 237 ng/g for bisphenol P (BPP). Concentrations of BPs in beverages (mean = 0.341 ng/g) and fruits (0.698 ng/g) were low. The predominant bisphenol analogues found in foodstuffs were BPA and BPF, which accounted for 42 and 17% of the total BP concentrations, respectively. Canned foods contained higher concentrations of individual and total bisphenols in comparison to foods sold in glass, paper, or plastic containers. On the basis of measured concentrations and daily ingestion rates of foods, the daily dietary intakes of bisphenols (calculated from the mean concentration) were estimated to be 243, 142, 117, 63.6, and 58.6 ng/kg body weight (bw)/day for toddlers, infants, children, teenagers, and adults, respectively.

Determination of piperphentonamine and metabolites M1 and M6 in human plasma and urine by LC/MS/MS and its application in a pharmacokinetics study in Chinese healthy volunteers.

PubMed

Shi, Aixin; Hu, Xin; Li, Kexin; Li, Jian; Han, Liping; Wan, Huayin; Li, Rubing

2012-11-01

Piperphentonamine hydrochloride (PPTA) is a new calcium sensitizer. A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method for determination of piperphentonamine and its metabolites M1 and M6 was developed for the first time and applied to a pharmacokinetics study. Protein precipitation was used for pre-treatment of plasma samples, and solid phase extraction method was used for pre-treatment of urine samples. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a C(18) column using gradient elution in this study: A: 1% acetic acid aqueous solution, and B: acetonitrile. The whole analysis lasted for 10.5min and the gradient flow rate was 0.25mL/min constantly. The detection was performed of a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode via a positive electrospray ionization source. The results were that the m/z ratios of monitored precursor ions and product ions of PPTA, M1 and M6 were 354.0→191.8, 356.0→148.7 and 358.0→148.7, respectively. From the standard curve, the concentration ranges of both PPTA and M1 in blood and urine samples were 0.1-500ng/mL and 0.1-200ng/mL, respectively; the concentration ranges of M6 in blood sample and urine sample were 0.2-500ng/mL and 0.2-200ng/mL, respectively; and the correlation coefficient of standard curve was r>0.99. A total of 31 healthy Chinese subjects participated in the pharmacokinetic study of single bolus intravenous injection of piperphentonamine hydrochloride. They were divided into three dosage groups and given 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6mg/kg of PPTA. After drug administration, concentrations of PPTA, M1 and M6 in human plasma and urine samples were determined to evaluation the pharmacokinetic characteristics of PPTA and its metabolites M1 and M6. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Overview of the US EPA/SERDP/ESTCP: Laboratory, Field ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Passive sampling can be used for applications at contaminated sediment sites including performing assessments of contaminant bioavailability (i.e., freely dissolved concentration (Cfree)), conducting remedial investigations and feasibility studies, and assessing the potential for contaminant bioaccumulation. Previous research articles and documents have discussed many aspects of passive sampling however no definitive guidance on the laboratory, field and analytical procedures for using passive sampling at contaminated sediment sites has been provided. The document discussed in this presentation provides passive sampler users with the guidance necessary to apply the technology to evaluate contaminated sediments. Contaminants discussed include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and the metals, cadmium, copper, nickel, lead and zinc. The document is divided into sections including discussions of different types of samplers used commonly in the United States, the selection and use of performance reference compounds (PRCs), the extraction and instrumental analysis of passive samplers, data analysis and quality assurance/quality control, and a list of passive sampling related references. The document is not intended to serve as a series of standard operating procedures (SOPs) but rather seeks to provide users with the information needed to develop their own SOPs. The document also includes the names of selected passive sam

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

None

Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU), under the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) contract, collected split surface water samples with Nuclear Fuel Services (NFS) representatives on November 15, 2012. Representatives from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation were also in attendance. Samples were collected at four surface water stations, as required in the approved Request for Technical Assistance number 11-018. These stations included Nolichucky River upstream (NRU), Nolichucky River downstream (NRD), Martin Creek upstream (MCU), and Martin Creek downstream (MCD). Both ORAU and NFS performed gross alpha and gross beta analyses, andmore » the results are compared using the duplicate error ratio (DER), also known as the normalized absolute difference. A DER {<=} 3 indicates that, at a 99% confidence interval, split sample results do not differ significantly when compared to their respective one standard deviation (sigma) uncertainty (ANSI N42.22). The NFS split sample report does not specify the confidence level of reported uncertainties (NFS 2012). Therefore, standard two sigma reporting is assumed and uncertainty values were divided by 1.96. In conclusion, all DER values were less than 3 and results are consistent with low (e.g., background) concentrations.« less

The effect of DMA level on morphology and fertilising ability of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) spermatozoa.

PubMed

Chełmońska, Bronisława; Łukaszewicz, Ewa; Kowalczyk, Artur; Jerysz, Anna

2006-01-20

The effect of different levels (2, 4 or 6%) of DMA (dimethylacetamide) on the morphology and fertilising ability of unfrozen quail spermatozoa was evaluated. Semen was collected from 72 males kept individually in cages and randomly divided into four groups: Group I--control -- fresh undiluted semen (12 males) and three experimental groups (20 males each) - semen diluted 1:1 with Lake's extender and supplemented with 2% (Group II), 4% (Group III) or 6% (Group IV) of DMA (final concentration). Sperm morphology was evaluated at each step of semen preparation, i.e. in fresh and diluted semen, semen supplemented with DMA and semen that remained after insemination. For fertility tests, 36 females were divided into four groups (nine females each). Females in the control group were inseminated with 10 microl of fresh semen, in the experimental groups with 40 microl of diluted semen. Each stage of quail semen treatment had a deleterious effect on sperm morphology. The highest percentage of morphologically normal cells in semen evaluated after insemination, was observed in samples with 2% DMA, and the lowest--in samples with 6% DMA. Semen dilution and DMA addition significantly affected the fertilising potency of spermatozoa. Fertility of eggs collected from the control group (71.5% on average) was significantly higher (P

Toxicity of different forms of graphene in a chicken embryo model.

PubMed

Szmidt, Maciej; Sawosz, Ewa; Urbańska, Kaja; Jaworski, Sławomir; Kutwin, Marta; Hotowy, Anna; Wierzbicki, Mateusz; Grodzik, Marta; Lipińska, Ludwika; Chwalibog, André

2016-10-01

In the present work, the toxicity of three forms of graphene: pristine graphene (pG), graphene oxide (GO), and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was investigated using a chicken embryo model. Fertilized chicken eggs were divided into the control group and groups administered with pG, GO, and rGO, in concentrations of 50, 500, and 5000 μg/ml. The experimental solutions were injected in ovo into the eggs, and at day 18 of incubation, the embryo survival, body and organ weights, the ultrastructure of liver samples, and the concentration of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in the livers were measured. Survival of embryos decreased significantly after treatment with all types of graphene, but not in a dose-dependent manner. The body weights were only slightly affected by the highest doses of graphene, while the organ weights were not different among treatment groups. In all experimental groups, atypical hepatocyte ultrastructure and mitochondrial damage were observed. The concentration of the marker of DNA damage 8-OHdG in the liver significantly decreased after pG and rGO treatments. Further in vivo studies with different animal models are necessary to clarify the level of toxicity of different types of graphene and to estimate the concentrations appropriate to evaluate their biomedical applications and environmental hazard.

Quantitative Determination of Fusarium proliferatum Concentration in Intact Garlic Cloves Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy.

PubMed

Tamburini, Elena; Mamolini, Elisabetta; De Bastiani, Morena; Marchetti, Maria Gabriella

2016-07-15

Fusarium proliferatum is considered to be a pathogen of many economically important plants, including garlic. The objective of this research was to apply near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to rapidly determine fungal concentration in intact garlic cloves, avoiding the laborious and time-consuming procedures of traditional assays. Preventive detection of infection before seeding is of great interest for farmers, because it could avoid serious losses of yield during harvesting and storage. Spectra were collected on 95 garlic cloves, divided in five classes of infection (from 1-healthy to 5-very highly infected) in the range of fungal concentration 0.34-7231.15 ppb. Calibration and cross validation models were developed with partial least squares regression (PLSR) on pretreated spectra (standard normal variate, SNV, and derivatives), providing good accuracy in prediction, with a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.829 and 0.774, respectively, a standard error of calibration (SEC) of 615.17 ppb, and a standard error of cross validation (SECV) of 717.41 ppb. The calibration model was then used to predict fungal concentration in unknown samples, peeled and unpeeled. The results showed that NIRS could be used as a reliable tool to directly detect and quantify F. proliferatum infection in peeled intact garlic cloves, but the presence of the external peel strongly affected the prediction reliability.

Personal exposure to airborne ultrafine particles in the urban area of Milan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cattaneo, A.; Garramone, G.; Taronna, M.; Peruzzo, C.; Cavallo, D. M.

2009-02-01

The relevance of health effects related to ultrafine particles (UFPs; aerodynamic diameter < 100 nm) can be better evaluated using high-resolution strategies for measuring particle number concentrations. In this study, two different portable Condensation Particle Counters (CPCs) were used to measure personal exposure to UFPs in the central area of Milan for one week period during spring, with three sampling sessions per day. Experimental data were continuously collected along an established urban pathway, moving afoot or by different private and public means of transport. Correlation analysis between data measured by two CPCs was performed and general results showed a good agreement, especially at concentrations lower than 2×105 particles /cm3. UFPs measures were divided on the basis of crossed environments or micro-environments, days of the week and day time (hours). The highest measured mean concentrations and data variability were observed during walking time and moving on motorized vehicles (bus and car), indicating that the highest exposure to UFPs can be reached near motorized traffic. The lowest exposures were observed in green areas and in office microenvironments. An appreciable difference between working and non-working days was observed. Concentration patterns and variation by days of the week and time periods appears related to time trends in traffic intensity.

Effect of DHA supplements during pregnancy on the concentration of PUFA in breast milk of Chinese lactating mothers.

PubMed

Deng, Juan; Li, Xiang; Ding, Zhen; Wu, Yixia; Chen, Xueyan; Xie, Lin

2017-05-24

To determine whether there is an effect of prenatal supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on the concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the breast milk of Chinese lactating women. A total of 409 participants were recruited at the postpartum care center during their 1-month postpartum care. They were assigned to the supplement group or the control group according to whether or not DHA supplements were taken during pregnancy. Dietary intake was assessed with a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Breast milk samples were collected on 1 day between the 22nd and 25th day postpartum and levels of eight kinds of fatty acids in the breast milk were measured by gas chromatography. DHA intake was divided into three levels (<57 mg/day, 57-185 mg/day and >185 mg/day). The concentration of DHA postpartum in the breast milk of the group receiving a DHA supplement >185 mg/day was significantly higher (P=0.003) compared to the control group. DHA intake >185 mg/day resulted in increased DHA concentrations in breast milk. This finding suggests that mothers with inadequate dietary intake of DHA should change their dietary habits to consume a diet rich in DHA or take sufficient DHA supplements to meet the average nutritional needs of infants.

The excretion of theobromine in Thoroughbred racehorses after feeding compounded cubes containing cocoa husk--establishment of a threshold value in horse urine.

PubMed

Haywood, P E; Teale, P; Moss, M S

1990-07-01

Thoroughbred geldings were fed racehorse cubes containing a predetermined concentration of theobromine in the form of cocoa husk. They were offered 7 kg of cubes per day, divided between morning and evening feed, and food consumption was monitored. Urinary concentrations of theobromine were determined following the consumption of cubes containing 11.5, 6.6, 2.0 and 1.2 mg per kg of theobromine, to verify whether or not such concentrations would produce positive urine tests. Pre-dose urine samples were collected to verify the absence of theobromine before each experiment. It became apparent from the results of the first three administrations that the limit of detection of theobromine, using such procedures, would be reached at a feed level of about 1 mg per kg theobromine. Therefore the final administration, using cubes containing 1.2 mg per kg theobromine, was singled out for additional analytical work and quantitative procedures were developed to measure urinary concentrations of theobromine. It was anticipated that the results would form a basis for discussions relating to the establishment of a threshold value for theobromine in horse urine. The Stewards of the Jockey Club subsequently gave notice that they had established a threshold level for theobromine in urine of 2 micrograms/ml.

Modification of pharmacokinetics of norfloxacin following oral administration of curcumin in rabbits

PubMed Central

Pavithra, B. H.; Jayakumar, K.

2009-01-01

Investigation was carried out in adult New Zealand white rabbits to study the influence of curcumin pre-treatment on pharmacokinetic disposition of norfloxacin following single oral administration. Sixteen rabbits were divided into two groups of eight each consisting of either sex. Animals in group-I were administered norfloxacin (100 mg/kg body weight p.o), while animals in group-II received similar dose of norfloxacin after pre-treatment with curcumin (60 mg/kg body weight per day, 3 days, p.o). Blood samples were drawn from the marginal ear vein into heparin-coated vials at 0 (zero time), 5, 10, 15, 30 min and 1, 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24 h post-treatment. Plasma norfloxacin concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. The plasma concentration-time profile of norfloxacin was adequately described by a one-compartment open model. The pharmacokinetic data revealed that curcumin-treated animals had significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher area under the plasma concentration-time curve and area under the first moment of plasma drug concentration-time curve. Prior treatment of curcumin significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased elimination half-life and volume of distribution of norfloxacin. Further treatment with curcumin reduced loading and maintenance doses by 26% and 24% respectively. PMID:19934593

Effects of a powered air-purifying respirator intervention on indium exposure reduction and indium related biomarkers among ITO sputter target manufacturing workers.

PubMed

Liu, Hung-Hsin; Chen, Chang-Yuh; Lan, Cheng-Hang; Chang, Cheng-Ping; Peng, Chiung-Yu

2016-01-01

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) worn by the workers, and to investigate the effect of this application on exposure and preclinical effects in terms of workplace measuring and biomarker monitoring in ITO sputter target manufacturing plants and workers, respectively. Fifty-four workers were recruited and investigated from 2010-2012, during which PAPRs were provided to on-site workers in September 2011. Each worker completed questionnaires and provided blood and urine samples for analysis of biomarkers of indium exposure and preclinical effects. Area and personal indium air samples were randomly collected from selected worksites and from participants. The penetration percentage of the respirator (concentration inside respirator divided by concentration outside respirator) was 6.6%. Some biomarkers, such as S-In, SOD, GPx, GST, MDA, and TMOM, reflected the decrease in exposure and showed lower levels, after implementation of PAPRs. This study is the first to investigate the efficacy of PAPRs for reducing indium exposure. The measurement results clearly showed that the implementation of PAPRs reduces levels of indium-related biomarkers. These findings have practical applications for minimizing occupational exposure to indium and for managing the health of workers exposed to indium.

Prophylactic and immune modulatory influences of Nigella sativa Linn. in broilers exposed to biological challenge

PubMed Central

Soliman, Essam S.; Hamad, Rania T.; Ahmed, Amira

2017-01-01

Background and Aim: Prophylaxis and disease prevention is an essential strategy among biorisk management in poultry farms that stimulate and maintain the birds’ immunity. The aim of this study was to investigate the prophylactic, and immune-stimulant influence of Nigella sativa Linn. in broilers under biological stress. Materials and Methods: A total of 250 1-day-old (ross) chicks were divided into 5 groups; four of which were supplemented with 1.4%, 2.8%, 4.2%, and 5.6% N. sativa Linn., respectively. The four supplemented groups were challenged with Escherichia coli O157:H7 1.5×108 at a 14th day old. A total of 1050 samples (150 serum, 150 swab, and 750 organ samples) were collected and examined. Results: A highly significant increase (p<0.01) in 5.6% N. sativa Linn. supplemented group in performance traits (body weight, weight gain, and performance index), biochemical parameters (proteinogram, liver enzymes, and creatinine), immunoglobulins concentration, and immune organs’ weight. Meanwile, liver showed improvement of histoarchitecture without fibrosis. Heart showed a mild pericarditis with a mild degree of hydropic degeneration. Bursa, thymus, and spleen showed lymphoid hyperplasia. Conclusion: A concentration of 5.6% N. sativa Linn. in broiler’s feed can improve the immune response and subsequent resistance of broilers against diseases. PMID:29391685

Holder pasteurization affects S100B concentrations in human milk.

PubMed

Peila, Chiara; Coscia, Alessandra; Bertino, Enrico; Li Volti, Giovanni; Galvano, Fabio; Visser, Gerard H A; Gazzolo, Diego

2018-02-01

Donor milk (DM) represents an important nutrition source for high-risk newborns. Holder pasteurization (HoP) is the most recommended procedure for DM treatment, providing a good compromise between microbiological safety and biological quality. HoP was previously shown to affect DM cytokines, growth factors and hormones levels, whilst no data concerning the possible effects of HoP on neurobiomarkers (NB) are available. Therefore, our study investigated whether the concentration in DM of a well-known NB involved in brain development/damage, namely S100B, changes due to HoP. We conducted a pretest-test study in 11 mothers, whose DM samples were sub-divided into two parts: the first was immediately frozen (-80 °C); the second was pasteurized with Holder method before freezing. S100B DM levels were measured using a commercially available immunoluminometric assay. S100B protein was detected in all milk samples. Results showed significant differences between groups (p < 0.05) in S100B levels after HoP. Our data provide evidence that S100B is present in preterm milk as well as in term milk during maturation degree. Moreover, the results confirm the susceptibility of this neurotrophic factor to pasteurization stresses and the need to develop new storage techniques to preserve the biological quality of human milk.

Optimal Design and Operation of In-Situ Chemical Oxidation Using Stochastic Cost Optimization Toolkit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, U.; Parker, J.; Borden, R. C.

2014-12-01

In-situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) has been applied at many dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) contaminated sites. A stirred reactor-type model was developed that considers DNAPL dissolution using a field-scale mass transfer function, instantaneous reaction of oxidant with aqueous and adsorbed contaminant and with readily oxidizable natural oxygen demand ("fast NOD"), and second-order kinetic reactions with "slow NOD." DNAPL dissolution enhancement as a function of oxidant concentration and inhibition due to manganese dioxide precipitation during permanganate injection are included in the model. The DNAPL source area is divided into multiple treatment zones with different areas, depths, and contaminant masses based on site characterization data. The performance model is coupled with a cost module that involves a set of unit costs representing specific fixed and operating costs. Monitoring of groundwater and/or soil concentrations in each treatment zone is employed to assess ISCO performance and make real-time decisions on oxidant reinjection or ISCO termination. Key ISCO design variables include the oxidant concentration to be injected, time to begin performance monitoring, groundwater and/or soil contaminant concentrations to trigger reinjection or terminate ISCO, number of monitoring wells or geoprobe locations per treatment zone, number of samples per sampling event and location, and monitoring frequency. Design variables for each treatment zone may be optimized to minimize expected cost over a set of Monte Carlo simulations that consider uncertainty in site parameters. The model is incorporated in the Stochastic Cost Optimization Toolkit (SCOToolkit) program, which couples the ISCO model with a dissolved plume transport model and with modules for other remediation strategies. An example problem is presented that illustrates design tradeoffs required to deal with characterization and monitoring uncertainty. Monitoring soil concentration changes during ISCO was found to be important to avoid decision errors associated with slow rebound of groundwater concentrations.

Is sonic Hedgehog involved in human fracture healing? --a prospective study on local and systemic concentrations of SHH.

PubMed

Eipeldauer, Stefan; Thomas, Anita; Hoechtl-Lee, Leonard; Kecht, Mathias; Binder, Harald; Koettstorfer, Julia; Gregori, Markus; Sarahrudi, Kambiz

2014-01-01

Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) is a new signalling pathway in bone repair. Evidence exist that SHH pathway plays a significant role in vasculogenesis and limb development during embryogenesis. Some in vitro and animal studies has already proven its potential for bone regeneration. However, no data on the role of SHH in the human fracture healing have been published so far. Seventy-five patients with long bone fractures were included into the study and divided in 2 groups. First group contained 69 patients with normal fracture healing. Four patients with impaired fracture healing formed the second group. 34 volunteers donated blood samples as control. Serum samples were collected over a period of 1 year following a standardized time schedule. In addition, SHH levels were measured in fracture haematoma and serum of 16 patients with bone fractures. Fracture haematoma and patients serum both contained lower SHH concentrations compared to control serum. The comparison between the patients' serum SHH level and the control serum revealed lower levels for the patients at all measurement time points. Significantly lower concentrations were observed at weeks 1 and 2 after fracture. SHH levels were slightly decreased in patients with impaired fracture healing without statistical significance. This is the first study to report local and systemic concentration of SHH in human fracture healing and SHH serum levels in healthy adults. A significant reduction of the SHH levels during the inflammatory phase of fracture healing was found. SHH concentrations in fracture haematoma and serum were lower than the concentration in control serum for the rest of the healing period. Our findings indicate that there is no relevant involvement of SHH in human fracture healing. Fracture repair process seem to reduce the SHH level in human. Further studies are definitely needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms.

Male-to-female aggression in cage-housed common pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) during the breeding season was not related to male plasma testosterone level.

PubMed

Zapletal, D; Macháček, M; Suchý, P; Straková, E; Vitula, F

2018-06-01

1. The aim of this study was to investigate if male-to-female aggression of common pheasants in the course of the breeding season was related to the concentration of plasma testosterone and/or other biochemical plasma indicators in male pheasants housed in breeding cages. The influence of season on the concentration of testosterone and biochemical indicators was also investigated. 2. Males were divided into non-aggressive and aggressive groups during the breeding season based on ethological evaluation. At the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the breeding season, a blood sample was taken from all males on the same day and the concentration of selected biochemical indicators and the total circulating testosterone in the plasma were determined. 3. Male-to-female aggression during the breeding season of pheasants was not influenced by the total plasma testosterone of males. 4. The concentration of total plasma testosterone in males decreased gradually during the breeding season. 5. Male-to-female aggression of pheasants did not have a significant effect on any of the assessed biochemical indicators. 6. The influence of the breeding season affected the activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase as well as the concentrations of glucose, magnesium, potassium and chloride in the blood plasma of cage-housed male pheasants.

Higher bioavailability of doxycycline in broiler chickens with a novel in-feed pharmaceutical formulation.

PubMed

Gutiérrez, Lilia; Zermeño, Juan; Alcalá, Yazmín; Sumano, Héctor

2017-08-01

Bioavailability of a new, long-acting (LA) pharmaceutical preparation for administering doxycycline as in-feed medication to broiler chickens was compared to the standard in-feed administration of doxycycline. A commercial poultry house harboring Ross-308 broiler chickens, weighing 450 g, was divided into 7 sections as follows: doxy-FOLA group (n = 6,000 chickens divided into 3 replicates) medicated with 10% doxycyline, long-acting pellets at a dose of 400 g of doxycycline HCl/ton of food, resulting in a calculated dose of 48 mg/kg for 5 d; doxy-ref group (n = 6,000, divided into 3 replicates) medicated as for doxy-FOLA, but using a 20% commercial preparation of doxycycline. A third group of 300 broiler chickens (divided into 3 replicates), received a single IV dose of 48 mg/kg from a 2.4% solution of doxycycline HCl under ketamine anesthesia. Blood samples were obtained at designated times, serum was harvested, and doxycycline concentrations determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Bioavailability values were 156% and 227% on d 1 and 5 for doxy-FOLA and 13% and 23% for doxy-ref, on the same days. Mean residence time (MRT) and elimination half-life (T½β) were statistically different (P < 0.05) in doxy-FOLA group as compared to doxy-ref group (MRT: 26 h and 5.2 h; and T½β: 18 h vs 3 h, on the first day for doxy-FOLA and doxy-ref, respectively). Based on 3 levels of bacterial sensitivity of E. coli derived from a small survey carried out (i.e., 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 μg/mL) and considering pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) ratios required for this time-dependent antibacterial drug, it is possible to postulate that doxy-FOLA outstrips the reference preparation maintaining higher and more prolonged serum concentrations of doxycycline and consequently complying better with PK/PD ratios regarded as optimal for this drug. The advantages of using doxy-FOLA in poultry medicine include a more comprehensive use of the active principle, which in turn should have a better impact on bacterial diseases. Yet, a longer withdrawal time is anticipated based on an almost 4-fold increment in the MRT value. © 2017 Poultry Science Association Inc.

Major and trace element investigation of the Pine Mountain massif--The southernmost exposure of Grenville age crust in North America

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Salpas, P.A.; Daniell, N.

1992-01-01

The Pine Mountain massif is a 1.1 Ga basement massif exposed in Alabama and Georgia. The Whatley Mill Gneiss (WMG) constitutes a major exposure of rock in the Pine Mountain massif of eastern Alabama. Based on appearance in outcrop, the WMG can be divided into three distinct lithologies. The first is a massive augen gneiss (AG) consisting of K-spar augen in a finer grained matrix of biotite, K-spar, plagioclase, and quartz. The second lithology is a fine-grained gneiss (FG) composed predominantly of quartz with minor muscovite. The FG occurs sporadically as band of mylonite within the AG. The third lithologymore » is generally accepted to be the protolith of the AG. It is a relatively unfoliated and undeformed rock (UN) of sparse occurrence whose mineralogy is similar to that of the AG but also contains hornblende and rounded mafic inclusions of biotite gneiss. AG and FG samples were collected along a traverse through over 220 meters of stratigraphic thickness of the WMG and were analyzed for major element compositions by XRF and for trace element compositions by INAA. Relative to the AG samples, the FG samples are enriched in SiO[sub 2] and depleted in FeO and ferromagnesian trace elements such as Sc. REE concentrations are generally higher in the AG than in the FG but the sizes of the ranges in concentrations among both groups of rocks are similar. REE systematics indicate that the silica-rich fluid introduced into the AG during shearing appears to have made negligible contributions to the absolute and relative whole-rock REE concentrations but, instead, simply diluted the REE in the parent AG. Based upon the limited sampling of UN so far, deformation to produce the foliated AG, including augen formation, appears to have occurred isochemically.« less

Relevance of dietary protein concentration and quality as risk factors for the formation of calcium oxalate stones in cats.

PubMed

Paßlack, Nadine; Burmeier, Hannes; Brenten, Thomas; Neumann, Konrad; Zentek, Jürgen

2014-01-01

The role of dietary protein for the development of feline calcium oxalate (CaOx) uroliths has not been conclusively clarified. The present study evaluated the effects of a varying dietary protein concentration and quality on critical indices for the formation of CaOx uroliths. Three diets with a high protein quality (10-11 % greaves meal/diet) and a varying crude protein (CP) concentration (35, 44 and 57 % in DM) were compared. Additionally, the 57 % CP diet was compared with a fourth diet that had a similar CP concentration (55 % in DM), but a lower protein quality (34 % greaves meal/diet). The Ca and oxalate (Ox) concentrations were similar in all diets. A group of eight cats received the same diet at the same time. Each feeding period was divided into a 21 d adaptation period and a 7 d sampling period to collect urine. There were increases in urinary volume, urinary Ca concentrations, renal Ca and Ox excretion and urinary relative supersaturation (RSS) with CaOx with increasing dietary protein concentrations. Urinary pH ranged between 6·34 and 6·66 among all groups, with no unidirectional effect of dietary protein. Lower renal Ca excretion was observed when feeding the diet with the lower protein quality, however, the underlying mechanism needs further evaluation. In conclusion, although the observed higher urinary volume is beneficial, the increase in urinary Ca concentrations, renal Ca and Ox excretion and urinary RSS CaOx associated with a high-protein diet may be critical for the development of CaOx uroliths in cats.

Nerve growth factor concentrations in the synovial fluid from healthy dogs and dogs with secondary osteoarthritis.

PubMed

Isola, M; Ferrari, V; Miolo, A; Stabile, F; Bernardini, D; Carnier, P; Busetto, R

2011-01-01

To measure the concentrations of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the synovial fluid from normal dogs and dogs with osteoarthritis (OA) secondary to common joint disorders. Nerve growth factor synovial concentrations were measured by ELISA assay in 50 dogs divided into three groups: 12 healthy, 16 affected by acute lameness within seven days before enrolment, and 22 with chronic lameness persisting by more than one month before enrolment and accompanied by radiological signs of OA. Both acute and chronic lameness were secondary to orthopaedic diseases involving the shoulder, elbow and stifle joints. Nerve growth factor synovial concentrations were compared between means for healthy and acute groups and between the three groups using an F-test. Significance level was set at p <0.05. Nerve growth factor was detected in all canine synovial fluid samples. However, the mean synovial NGF concentration of healthy dogs (3.65 ± 2.18 pg/ml) was not significantly different from the mean value in dogs with acute lameness (6.45 ± 2.45 pg/ml) (p = 0.79). Conversely, the mean synovial NGF concentration in dogs with chronic lameness (20.19 ± 17.51 pg/ml) was found to be significantly higher than that found in healthy dogs (p <0.01). This study demonstrates for the first time the presence of NGF in canine synovial fluid and its increased concentrations in dogs with chronic lameness compared to healthy dogs and dogs with acute lameness. The association between chronic lameness and raised synovial concentrations may suggest an involvement of NGF in OA inflammation and chronic pain.

Diuretic activity and toxicity study of the aqueous extract of Cola nitida seed on markers of renal function and electrolytes in rats.

PubMed

Nnemdi Ashibuogwu, Mirian; Isaac Adeosun, Olukayode; Ojo Akomolafe, Rufus; Olaniyi Sanni, Douglas; Sesan Olukiran, Olaoluwa

2016-12-01

BackgroundCola nitida is a plant, conventionally used in Africa in the treatment of various ailments such as migraine, morning sickness and indigestion. The aim of the present study was to explore the diuretic activity of the aqueous extract of C. nitida seed (AECONS) and alteration caused by its subchronic administration on the structure and function of the kidney of male Wistar rats. MethodsThe study was divided into diuretic and subchronic studies. Twenty-five male Wistar rats weighing between 140 and 180 g were divided into five groups of five rats each. The first 24 h of this study investigated the possible diuretic activity of C. nitida seed. Group I (the control) received 25 mL/kg of normal saline. Group II (the standard) received 20 mg/kg/day of furosemide. Groups III, IV, V received 400, 600 and 800 mg/kg/day of AECONS, respectively, and orally. Urine volume, pH, specific gravity and electrolytes were estimated in the samples of urine collected after 6 h of the study. From the second day onward and up to a period of 4 weeks, the rats in each group were given normal saline, furosemide and AECONS once daily as was done on the first day. At the end of the 4-week treatment period, blood and urine samples were collected for the determination of creatinine, urea, Na+, K+ and Cl- concentrations. Results The results of the diuretic study showed that the AECONS at all doses used and furosemide produced a significant increase in urine output with respect to the control group. AECONS also induced a significant increase in the urine concentrations of Na+, K+, Cl- in the experimental and standard groups when compared with the control group, except for group III which showed no significant variation in K+ concentration. In the subchronic study, AECONS caused a significant increase in the urine levels of Na+, K+, Cl- in the experimental and standard groups when compared with the control rats. The plasma Na+ concentration of groups IV and V was significantly lower than that of the control group. Photomicrographs of the kidneys of the experimental and standard groups revealed no significant alterations in the histology of their kidney tissues. Conclusions It is concluded that AECONS induced diuresis which is associated with increased Na+, K+ and Cl- loss in rats without any significant alteration in the structure of their kidneys.

Vertical small scale variations of sorption and mineralization of three herbicides in subsurface limestone and sandy aquifer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Janniche, G. S.; Mouvet, C.; Albrechtsen, H.-J.

2011-04-01

Vertical variation in sorption and mineralization potential of mecoprop (MCPP), isoproturon and acetochlor were investigated at low concentrations (μg-range) at the cm-scale in unsaturated sub-surface limestone samples and saturated sandy aquifer samples from an agricultural catchment in Brévilles, France. From two intact core drills, four heterogenic limestone sections were collected from 4.50 to 26.40 m below surface (mbs) and divided into 12 sub-samples of 8-25 cm length, and one sandy aquifer section from 19.20 to 19.53 m depth divided into 7 sub-samples of 4-5 cm length. In the sandy aquifer section acetochlor and isoproturon sorption increased substantially with depth; in average 78% (acetochlor) and 61% (isoproturon) per 5 cm. Also the number of acetochlor and isoproturon degraders (most-probable-number) was higher in the bottom half of the aquifer section (93-> 16 000/g) than in the upper half (4-71/g). One 50 cm long limestone section with a distinct shift in color showed a clear shift in mineralization, number of degraders and sorption: In the two brown, uppermost samples, up to 31% mecoprop and up to 9% isoproturon was mineralized during 231 days, the numbers of mecoprop and isoproturon degraders were 1300 to > 16 000/g, and the sorption of both isoproturon and acetochlor was more than three times higher, compared to the two deeper, grayish samples just below where mineralization (≤ 4%) and numbers of degraders (1-520/g) were low for all three herbicides. In both unsaturated limestone and sandy aquifer, variations and even distinct shifts in both mineralization, number of specific degraders and sorption were seen within just 4-15 cm of vertical distance. A simple conceptual model of herbicides leaching to groundwater through a 10 m unsaturated limestone was established, and calculations showed that a 30 cm active layer with the measured sorption and mineralization values hardly impacted the fate of the investigated herbicides, whereas a total thickness of layers of 1 m would substantially increase natural attenuation.

Organochlorine pesticide residue levels in blood serum of inhabitants from Veracruz, Mexico.

PubMed

Waliszewski, Stefan M; Caba, M; Herrero-Mercado, M; Saldariaga-Noreña, H; Meza, E; Zepeda, R; Martínez-Valenzuela, C; Gómez Arroyo, S; Villalobos Pietrini, R

2012-09-01

The objective of the present study was to monitor the levels of organochlorine pesticides HCB; α-, β-, γ-HCH; pp'DDE; op'DDT; and pp'DDT in blood serum of Veracruz, Mexico inhabitants. Organochlorine pesticides were analyzed in 150 blood serum samples that constituted that which remained after clinical analyses, using gas chromatography-electron-capture detection (GC-ECD). The results were expressed as milligrams per kilogram on fat basis and micrograms per liter on wet weight. Only the following pesticides were detected: p,p'-DDE was the major organochlorine component, detected in 100% of samples at mean 15.8 mg/kg and 8.4 μg/L; p,p'-DDT was presented in 41.3.% of monitored samples at mean 3.1 mg/kg and 1.4 μg/L; β-HCH was found in 48.6% of the samples at mean 4.9 mg/kg and 2.7 μg/L; op'DDT was determined to be in only 3.3% of monitored samples at mean 2.7 mg/kg and 1.4 μg/L. The pooled samples divided according to sex showed significant differences of β-HCH and pp'DDE concentrations in females. The samples grouped according to age presented the third tertile as more contaminated in both sexes, indicating age as a positively associated factor with serum organochlorine pesticide levels in Veracruz inhabitants.

Indicators of the sources and distribution of nitrate in water from shallow domestic wells in agricultural areas of the New Jersey Coastal Plain

USGS Publications Warehouse

Vowinkel, Eric F.; Tapper, Robert J.

1995-01-01

Previously collected and new water-quality data from shallow wells (screened interval less than 30 meters below the land surface) in predominantly agricultural areas of the New Jersey Coastal Plain were used to determine the relation of nitrate concentrations in shallow ground water to various hydrogeologic and land-use factors in the study area. Information on land use, well construction, hydrogeology, and water quality were used to predict the conditions under which concentrations of nitrate as nitrogen in water from domestic wells in predominantly agricultural areas are most likely to be equal to or larger than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 milligrams per liter. Results of the analyses of water-quality samples collected during 1980-89 from 230 shallow wells in the outcrop areas of the Kirkwood-Cohansey and Potomac-Raritan-Magothy aquifer systems were used to evaluate the regional effects of land use on shallow-ground-water quality. Results of statistical analysis indicate that concentrations of nitrate in shallow ground water are significantly different (p= 0.001) in agricultural areas than in undeveloped areas in both aquifer systems. Concentrations of nitrate nitrogen exceeded the MCL in water from more than 33 percent of the 60 shallow wells in agricultural areas. Concentrations of hitrate in water from shallow wells in agricultural areas increased as the percentage of agricultural land within an 800-meter-radius buffer zone of the wellhead increased (r= 0.81). Concentrations ofhitrate in water from domestic wells in agricultural areas were similar (p= 0.23) to those concentrations in water from irrigation wells. These results indicate that most of the nitrate in water from domestic wells in agricultural areas results from agricultural practices rather than other sources, such as septic systems. Water-quality samples collected from 12 shallow domestic wells in agricultural areas screened in the outcrop areas of the Kirkwood-Cohansey and Potomac-Raritan-Magothy aquifer systems were used to evaluate the local effects of hydrogeologic conditions and land-use activities on shallow-ground-water quality. Concentrations of water-quality constituents in these wells were similar among four sampling events over a l-year span. The concentration of hitrate in water from 6 of the 12 wells exceeded the MCL. Concentrations of nitrate greater than the MCL are associated with: values of specific conductance greater than 200 microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius, a screened interval whose top is less than 20 meters below land surface, concentrations of dissolved oxygen greater than 6 milligrams per liter, presence of pesticides in the ground water, a distance of less than 250 meters between the wellhead and the surfacewater divide, and presence of livestock near the wellhead. Ratios of stable isotopes of nitrogen in the water samples indicate that the source of hitrate in the ground water was predominantly chemical fertilizers rather than livestock wastes or effluent from septic systems.

Reduction of date microbial load with ozone

PubMed Central

Farajzadeh, Davood; Qorbanpoor, Ali; Rafati, Hasan; Isfeedvajani, Mohsen Saberi

2013-01-01

Background: Date is one of the foodstuffs that are produced in tropical areas and used worldwide. Conventionally, methyl bromide and phosphine are used for date disinfection. The toxic side effects of these usual disinfectants have led food scientists to consider safer agents such as ozone for disinfection, because food safety is a top priority. The present study was performed to investigate the possibility of replacing common conventional disinfectants with ozone for date disinfection and microbial load reduction. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, date samples were ozonized for 3 and 5 hours with 5 and 10 g/h concentrations and packed. Ozonized samples were divided into two groups and kept in an incubator which was maintained at 25°C and 40°C for 9 months. During this period, every 3 month, microbial load (bacteria, mold, and yeast) were examined in ozonized and non-ozonized samples. Results: This study showed that ozonization with 5 g/h for 3 hours, 5 g/h for 5 hours, 10 g/h for 3 hours, and 10 g/h for 5 hours leads to about 25%, 25%, 53%, and 46% reduction in date mold and yeast load and about 6%, 9%, 76%, and 74.7% reduction in date bacterial load at baseline phase, respectively. Appropriate concentration and duration of ozonization for microbial load reduction were 10 g/h and 3 hours. Conclusion: Date ozonization is an appropriate method for microbial load reduction and leads to an increase in the shelf life of dates. PMID:24124432

Effects of tylosin, tilmicosin and tulathromycin on inflammatory mediators in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of lipopolysaccharide-induced lung injury.

PubMed

Er, Ayse; Yazar, Enver

2012-12-01

The aim of this study was to determine the anti-inflammatory effects of macrolides through kinetic parameters in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of lipopolysaccharide-induced lung injury. Rats were divided into four groups: lipopolysaccharide (LPS), LPS + tylosin, LPS + tilmicosin and LPS + tulathromycin. BALF samples were collected at sampling times. TNF, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2α (PGM) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were analysed. Area under the curve (AUC) and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) values of inflammatory mediators were determined by a pharmacokinetic computer programme. When inflammatory mediator concentrations were compared between the LPS group and other groups for each sampling time, the three macrolides had no pronounced depressor effect on cytokine levels, but they depressed PGM and CRP levels. In addition, tylosin and tilmicosin decreased the AUC0-24 level of TNF, while tilmicosin decreased the AUC0-24 level of IL-10. Tylosin and tulathromycin decreased the AUC0-24 of PGM, and all three macrolides decreased the AUC0-24 of CRP. Especially tylosin and tulathromycin may have more expressed anti-inflammatory effects than tilmicosin, via depressing the production of inflammatory mediators in the lung. The AUC may be used for determining the effects of drugs on inflammation. In this study, the antiinflammatory effects of these antibiotics were evaluated with kinetic parameters as a new and different approach.

Alkaloids from areca (betel) nuts and their effects on human sperm motility in vitro.

PubMed

Yuan, Jingsong; Yang, Dajian; Liang, Yonghong; Gao, Wenping; Ren, Zhipeng; Zeng, Wei; Wang, Baorong; Han, Jian; Guo, Dean

2012-04-01

An improved high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was established to rapidly and simultaneously determine 3 main alkaloids (arecoline, arecaidine, and guvacine) in areca (betel) nuts (AN), and 12 AN samples from the main betel palm growing areas on the Chinese Mainland were collected and determined. Semen samples from acceptable volunteers were treated in vitro with different concentrations of the 3 alkaloids to evaluate the effects on sperm motility (SM). Highly motile spermatozoa were selected from the samples and divided into 5 equal fractions. Various concentrations of each alkaloid were added to 4 of the 5 fractions, and 1 fraction was used as a control. All fractions were incubated for 4 h. A computer-aided sperm analysis system was used to measure 5 SM parameters, motility, average path velocity, straight-line velocity, curvilinear velocity, linearity, and amplitude of lateral head displacement. The results showed that the contents of the amount of alkaloids in AN differed markedly in different places in China and were higher in the kernel than in the husk, and higher in dried AN than in fresh AN. Arecoline had the strongest reduction effect on human SM and the effect was strongly dose dependent. Arecaidine had a much weaker reduction effect than arecoline, and guvacine had the least reduction effect. These findings also demonstrate that betel quid could have adverse effects on the gonadal functions of betel quid consumers. © 2012 Institute of Food Technologists®

Chiral stability of an extemporaneously prepared clopidogrel bisulfate oral suspension.

PubMed

Tynes, Clay R; Livingston, Brad; Patel, Hetesh; Arnold, John J

2014-01-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the chiral stability of clopidogrel bisulfate in an extemporaneously compounded oral suspension for a period of 60 days. A 5 mg/mL oral suspension of clopidogrel bisulfate was prepared from commercially available Plavix tablets. The clopidogrel suspension was then evenly divided between two light-resistant prescription bottles and stored either under refrigeration (4°C) or at room temperature (25°C). Samples were drawn from the stored suspensions immediately after preparation and on days 7, 14, 28, and 60. Samples were subsequently analyzed at each time point by high-performance liquid chromatography using a reversed-phase column, with chemical stability defined as the retention of at least 90% of the initial intact clopidogrel concentration measured. To determine the chiral stability of the suspension, samples were also analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography using a chiral column to investigate possible enantiomeric inversion. Chiral stability was defined as the retention of at least 90% of the initial concentration of the suspension as the S-enantiomer, the active moiety of Plavix. Regardless of storage conditions, the oral suspension of clopidogrel retained at least 98% of the active S-enantiomer for 60 days after preparation. Compared with the clopidogrel suspension stored in the refrigerator, more chiral inversion was noted in the clopidogrel suspension stored at room temperature. Our investigation of chiral stability indicates that a 5 mg/mL clopidogrel oral suspension stored under refrigeration and at room temperature maintains chiral stability as the active S-enantiomer.

Bright-light effects on cognitive performance in elderly persons working simulated night shifts: psychological well-being as a mediator?

PubMed

Kretschmer, Veronika; Schmidt, Klaus-Helmut; Griefahn, Barbara

2013-11-01

The present study examined whether the relationship between light exposure and cognitive functioning is mediated by psychological well-being in elderly persons working night shifts. The role of psychological well-being has been neglected so far in the relationship between bright light and cognitive performance. Sleepiness and mood were applied as indicators of psychological well-being. Cognitive functioning was examined in terms of concentration, working memory, and divided attention. A total of thirty-two test persons worked in three consecutive simulated night shifts, 16 under bright light (3,000 lux) and 16 under room light (300 lux). Concentration, working memory, and divided attention were measured by computerised tasks. The hypothesised mediators were recorded by questionnaires. Mediation analyses were conducted for estimating direct, total, and indirect effects in simple mediation models. Results indicate that sleepiness and mood did not function as mediators in the prediction of concentration, working memory, and/or divided attention by light exposure. Sleepiness led to an underestimation of the positive bright-light effect on concentration performance. Mood showed only a random effect due to the positive bright-light effect on working memory. Sleepiness and mood could completely be excluded as mediators in the relationship between light exposure and cognitive functioning. This study underlines that psychological well-being of elderly persons is not a critical component in the treatment of bright light on cognitive performance in the night shift workplace. In summary, it becomes evident that bright light has a strong direct and independent effect on cognitive performance, particularly on working memory and concentration.

Phthalates in plastic bottled non-alcoholic beverages from China and estimated dietary exposure in adults.

PubMed

Yang, Ji-Feng; Yang, Li-Ming; Zheng, Li-Ying; Ying, Guang-Guo; Liu, Cheng-Bin; Luo, Sheng-Lian

2017-03-01

Concentrations of six phthalates were determined in 69 plastic bottled non-alcoholic beverages collected from marketplaces in China. Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) were the most detected compounds with frequencies of 100%. Dimethyl phthalate was found less, with a mean frequency of almost 34%. The samples were divided into seven groups. The frequencies of phthalates in these groups ranged from 6.67% to 100%, which indicated that different types of beverages were differently contaminated by phthalates. DEHP contained the highest mean and median concentrations (1.60 ng g -1 and 0.62 ng g -1 ), followed by DBP (1.34 ng g -1 and 0.27 ng g -1 ). For DBP, the highest phthalate concentration of 14.3 ng g -1 was measured. The results of estimated daily intake (EDI) showed that the risk of Chinese adults exposed to these 6 phthalates in beverages examined was lower than the reference doses as suggested by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The range of EDI values was between 1.77 × 10 - 4 μg kg-bw -1 day -1 and 0.478 μg kg-bw -1 day -1 .

Polar pollutants entry into the water cycle by municipal wastewater: a European perspective.

PubMed

Reemtsma, Thorsten; Weiss, Stefan; Mueller, Jutta; Petrovic, Mira; González, Susana; Barcelo, Damia; Ventura, Francesc; Knepper, Thomas P

2006-09-01

The effluents of eight municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) in Western Europe were analyzed by liquid-chromatography-mass spectrometry for the occurrence of 36 polar pollutants, comprising household and industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products. In a long-term study of the effluents of three WWTP over 10 months, sulfophenyl carboxylates and ethylene diamino tetraacetate (EDTA) were detected above 10 microg/L on average, while benzotriazoles, benzothiazole-2-sulfonate, diclofenac, and carbamazepine showed mean concentrations of 1-10 microg/L, followed by some flame retardants, naphthalene disulfonates, and personal care products in the range of 0.1-1 microg/L. Half of the determined compounds were not significantly removed in tertiary wastewater treatment. By dividing the effluent concentration of a compound by its relative removal in WWTP a water cycle spreading index (WCSI) was calculated for each compound. We propose that this index provides a measure for the potential of a polar compound to spread along a partially closed water cycle after discharge with municipal wastewater and to occur in raw waters used for drinking water production. Polar pollutants in surface water samples of different catchments showed increasing concentration for compounds with increasing WCSI.

Detection of Soil Nitrogen Using Near Infrared Sensors Based on Soil Pretreatment and Algorithms

PubMed Central

Nie, Pengcheng; Dong, Tao; He, Yong; Qu, Fangfang

2017-01-01

Soil nitrogen content is one of the important growth nutrient parameters of crops. It is a prerequisite for scientific fertilization to accurately grasp soil nutrient information in precision agriculture. The information about nutrients such as nitrogen in the soil can be obtained quickly by using a near-infrared sensor. The data can be analyzed in the detection process, which is nondestructive and non-polluting. In order to investigate the effect of soil pretreatment on nitrogen content by near infrared sensor, 16 nitrogen concentrations were mixed with soil and the soil samples were divided into three groups with different pretreatment. The first group of soil samples with strict pretreatment were dried, ground, sieved and pressed. The second group of soil samples were dried and ground. The third group of soil samples were simply dried. Three linear different modeling methods are used to analyze the spectrum, including partial least squares (PLS), uninformative variable elimination (UVE), competitive adaptive reweighted algorithm (CARS). The model of nonlinear partial least squares which supports vector machine (LS-SVM) is also used to analyze the soil reflectance spectrum. The results show that the soil samples with strict pretreatment have the best accuracy in predicting nitrogen content by near-infrared sensor, and the pretreatment method is suitable for practical application. PMID:28492480

Plasma creatinine in dogs: intra- and inter-laboratory variation in 10 European veterinary laboratories

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background There is substantial variation in reported reference intervals for canine plasma creatinine among veterinary laboratories, thereby influencing the clinical assessment of analytical results. The aims of the study was to determine the inter- and intra-laboratory variation in plasma creatinine among 10 veterinary laboratories, and to compare results from each laboratory with the upper limit of its reference interval. Methods Samples were collected from 10 healthy dogs, 10 dogs with expected intermediate plasma creatinine concentrations, and 10 dogs with azotemia. Overlap was observed for the first two groups. The 30 samples were divided into 3 batches and shipped in random order by postal delivery for plasma creatinine determination. Statistical testing was performed in accordance with ISO standard methodology. Results Inter- and intra-laboratory variation was clinically acceptable as plasma creatinine values for most samples were usually of the same magnitude. A few extreme outliers caused three laboratories to fail statistical testing for consistency. Laboratory sample means above or below the overall sample mean, did not unequivocally reflect high or low reference intervals in that laboratory. Conclusions In spite of close analytical results, further standardization among laboratories is warranted. The discrepant reference intervals seem to largely reflect different populations used in establishing the reference intervals, rather than analytical variation due to different laboratory methods. PMID:21477356

Influence of Freezing and Storage Procedure on Human Urine Samples in NMR-Based Metabolomics

PubMed Central

Rist, Manuela J.; Muhle-Goll, Claudia; Görling, Benjamin; Bub, Achim; Heissler, Stefan; Watzl, Bernhard; Luy, Burkhard

2013-01-01

It is consensus in the metabolomics community that standardized protocols should be followed for sample handling, storage and analysis, as it is of utmost importance to maintain constant measurement conditions to identify subtle biological differences. The aim of this work, therefore, was to systematically investigate the influence of freezing procedures and storage temperatures and their effect on NMR spectra as a potentially disturbing aspect for NMR-based metabolomics studies. Urine samples were collected from two healthy volunteers, centrifuged and divided into aliquots. Urine aliquots were frozen either at −20 °C, on dry ice, at −80 °C or in liquid nitrogen and then stored at −20 °C, −80 °C or in liquid nitrogen vapor phase for 1–5 weeks before NMR analysis. Results show spectral changes depending on the freezing procedure, with samples frozen on dry ice showing the largest deviations. The effect was found to be based on pH differences, which were caused by variations in CO2 concentrations introduced by the freezing procedure. Thus, we recommend that urine samples should be frozen at −20 °C and transferred to lower storage temperatures within one week and that freezing procedures should be part of the publication protocol. PMID:24957990

Influence of Freezing and Storage Procedure on Human Urine Samples in NMR-Based Metabolomics.

PubMed

Rist, Manuela J; Muhle-Goll, Claudia; Görling, Benjamin; Bub, Achim; Heissler, Stefan; Watzl, Bernhard; Luy, Burkhard

2013-04-09

It is consensus in the metabolomics community that standardized protocols should be followed for sample handling, storage and analysis, as it is of utmost importance to maintain constant measurement conditions to identify subtle biological differences. The aim of this work, therefore, was to systematically investigate the influence of freezing procedures and storage temperatures and their effect on NMR spectra as a potentially disturbing aspect for NMR-based metabolomics studies. Urine samples were collected from two healthy volunteers, centrifuged and divided into aliquots. Urine aliquots were frozen either at -20 °C, on dry ice, at -80 °C or in liquid nitrogen and then stored at -20 °C, -80 °C or in liquid nitrogen vapor phase for 1-5 weeks before NMR analysis. Results show spectral changes depending on the freezing procedure, with samples frozen on dry ice showing the largest deviations. The effect was found to be based on pH differences, which were caused by variations in CO2 concentrations introduced by the freezing procedure. Thus, we recommend that urine samples should be frozen at -20 °C and transferred to lower storage temperatures within one week and that freezing procedures should be part of the publication protocol.

Assessment of shallow ground-water quality in recently urbanized areas of Sacramento, California, 1998

USGS Publications Warehouse

Shelton, Jennifer L.

2005-01-01

Evidence for anthropogenic impact on shallow ground-water quality beneath recently developed urban areas of Sacramento, California, has been observed in the sampling results from 19 monitoring wells in 1998. Eight volatile organic compounds (VOCs), four pesticides, and one pesticide transformation product were detected in low concentrations, and nitrate, as nitrogen, was detected in elevated concentrations; all of these concentrations were below National and State primary and secondary maximum contaminant levels. VOC results from this study are more consistent with the results from urban areas nationwide than from agricultural areas in the Central Valley, indicating that shallow ground-water quality has been impacted by urbanization. VOCs detected may be attributed to either the chlorination of drinking water, such as trichloromethane (chloroform) detected in 16 samples, or to the use of gasoline additives, such as methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), detected in 2 samples. Pesticides detected may be attributed to use on household lawns and gardens and rights-of-way, such as atrazine detected in three samples, or to past agricultural practices, and potentially to ground-water/surface-water interactions, such as bentazon detected in one sample from a well adjacent to the Sacramento River and downstream from where bentazon historically was used on rice. Concentrations of nitrate may be attributed to natural sources, animal waste, old septic tanks, and fertilizers used on lawns and gardens or previously used on agricultural crops. Seven sample concentrations of nitrate, as nitrogen, exceeded 3.0 milligrams per liter, a level that may indicate impact from human activities. Ground-water recharge from rainfall or surface-water runoff also may contribute to the concentrations of VOCs and pesticides observed in ground water. Most VOCs and pesticides detected in ground-water samples also were detected in air and surface-water samples collected at sites within or adjacent to the recently developed urban areas. Five arsenic sample concentrations exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) primary maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 milligrams per liter adopted in 2001. Measurements that exceeded USEPA or California Department of Health Services recommended secondary maximum contaminant levels include manganese, iron, chloride, total dissolved solids, and specific conductance. These exceedances are probably a result of natural processes. Variations in stable isotope ratios of hydrogen (2H/1H) and oxygen (18O/16O) may indicate different sources or a mixing of recharge waters to the urban ground water. These variations also may indicate recharge directly from surface water in one well adjacent to the Sacramento River. Tritium concentrations indicate that most shallow ground water has been recharged since the mid-1950s, and tritium/helium-3 age dates suggest that recharge has occurred in the last 2 to 30 years in some areas. In areas where water table depths exceed 20 meters and wells are deeper, ground-water recharge may have occurred prior to 1950, but low concentrations of pesticides and VOCs detected in these deeper wells indicate a mixing of younger and older waters. Overall, the recently urbanized areas can be divided into two groups. One group contains wells where few VOCs and pesticides were detected, nitrate mostly was not detected, and National and State maximum contaminant levels, including the USEPA MCL for arsenic, were exceeded; these wells are adjacent to rivers and generally are characterized by younger water, shallow (1 to 4 meters) water table, chemically reducing conditions, finer grained sediments, and higher organics in the soils. In contrast, the other group contains wells where more VOCs, pesticides, and elevated nitrate concentrations were detected; these wells are farther from rivers and are generally characterized by a mixture of young and old waters, intermediate to deep (7 to 35 meters) wate

Mineral resources and resource potential map of the Pyramid Peak Roadless Area, Riverside County, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Calzia, J.P.

1988-01-01

Geologic and geochemical data indicate that the study area has high resource potential for marble, and moderate resource potential for epithermal gold deposits and tungsten skarns. The Desert Divide Group and the Palm Canyon Complex contain large resources of marble quarried for Portland cement and for construction applications. Gold occurs in quartz veins and pegmatites in the Desert Divide Group and the Penrod Quartz Monzonite. Skarns in the Desert Divide Group contain scheelite and anomalous concentrations of arsenic and beryllium. Thin layers of tremolite asbestos along low-angle thrust faults occur outside of the study area.

Study of radioactive contamination in silts and aerosols at Aldama City, Mexico, due to the operation of a yellow-cake processing plant.

PubMed

Montelongo, Michel Y; Herrera, Eduardo F; Ramirez, Elias; Carrillo, Jorge I; Campos, Alfredo; Gomez, Ramón; Montero, Maria E; Rodriguez, Luis M

2015-08-01

The city of Aldama, Chihuahua, Mexico is located 30 km NNE of Chihuahua city. Three high-volume collectors with PM10 heads were placed in specific locations in Aldama during the year 2011 to measure radioisotope concentrations in the air. The city area of 16 km² was divided into 64 squares of 500 × 500 m. At the vertices of the grid, silt samples were taken between January and June 2011, before the rains began. The concentrations of natural, cosmogenic, and anthropogenic radioactive isotopes were calculated in both filters and silts samples. The isotopes selected for the measurement were ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, (7)Be, ¹³⁷Cs, and ⁴⁰K. Measurements of PM10 and silts were performed during 2011, coinciding with the accident at Fukushima, Japan, on March 11. For this reason, we could see the ¹³⁷Cs in PM10 increase between April and July; with the arrival of the rains, the ¹³⁷Cs concentration began to decrease in the air. The concentration of PM10 measured by the equipment located at the Mexican Uranium plant (URAMEX, initials in Spanish) that was processing radioactive ores exceeded the standard values in February and March, when the air velocity increases. At City Hall, the concentration of PM10 surpassed the value of the standard between May and July. This increased concentration is likely due to increased automobile traffic because City Hall is located in the city center. At a private home, the concentration of PM10 surpassed the standard on several days during the year because the home is located on the outskirts of the city, where most of the streets are not paved. Due to the high concentrations of PM10, especially at the collection point located at the private home, it is necessary to start taking steps to mitigate their spread before they cause health problems in the younger population and in older adults.

NASA's Atmospheric Effects of Aviation Project: Results of the August 1999 Aerosol Measurement Intercomparison Workshop, Laboratory Phase

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cofer, W. Randy, III; Anderson, Bruce E.; Connors, V. S.; Wey, C. C.; Sanders, T.; Twohy, C.; Brock, C. A.; Winstead, E. L.; Pui, D.; Chen, Da-Ren

2001-01-01

During August 1-14, 1999, NASA's Atmospheric Effects of Aviation Project (AEAP) convened a workshop at the NASA Langley Research Center to try to determine why such a wide variation in aerosol emissions indices and chemical and physical properties have been reported by various independent AEAP-supported research teams trying to characterize the exhaust emissions of subsonic commercial aircraft. This workshop was divided into two phases, a laboratory phase and a field phase. The laboratory phase consisted of supplying known particle number densities (concentrations) and particle size distributions to a common manifold for the participating research teams to sample and analyze. The field phase was conducted on an aircraft run-up pad. Participating teams actually sampled aircraft exhaust generated by a Langley T-38 Talon aircraft at 1 and 9 m behind the engine at engine powers ranging from 48 to 100 percent. Results from the laboratory phase of this intercomparison workshop are reported in this paper.

Spatio-temporal distribution and environmental risk of sedimentary heavy metals in the Yangtze River Estuary and its adjacent areas.

PubMed

Chen, Bin; Liu, Jian; Qiu, Jiandong; Zhang, Xilin; Wang, Shuang; Liu, Jinqing

2017-03-15

Twenty-five surface sediments and one sediment core sample were collected from the study area. Grain size, major elements, and heavy metals were determined. The content of fine-grained sediments (silt and clay), as well as the concentrations of major elements and heavy metals, showed seaward decreasing trends, with high content in the coastal areas of the East China Sea (ECS) and south west of Jeju Island. Low enrichment factor (EF) and geoaccumulation index (Igeo) values were found, indicating that the ecological risk of heavy metals was low. The EF values obtained from the high-resolution sedimentary records of heavy metals in the Yangtze River Estuary could be divided into Stage 1 (1950s to the late 1970s) and Stage 2 (late 1970s to the current sampling day), which coincided with economic development of the Yangtze River Basin, implementation of environmental protection, and impoundment of the Three Gorges Dam. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

English use among older bilingual immigrants in linguistically concentrated neighborhoods: Social proficiency and internal speech as intracultural variation

PubMed Central

Schrauf, Robert W.

2013-01-01

This research focuses on patterns of English proficiency and use-of-English among older immigrants living in linguistically concentrated, ethnic neighborhoods. A sample (n=60) of older Puerto Ricans, who moved from the island to the mainland in their twenties, were divided into English proficiency groups (fluent, high intermediate, low intermediate) via the Adult Language Assessment Scales. Participants then provided self-ratings of their English proficiency (understanding, speaking, reading, and writing), their use of English in social domains (language spoken with own-family, in-laws, spouse, children, neighbors, and workmates), and their use of English in private psychological domains (language of talking to oneself, counting, writing notes to oneself, thinking, dreaming, praying, and expressing feelings). Finally, all participants completed the Puerto Rican Bicultural Scale. Results show a cohort of immigrant elders whose first language is protected by their ethnic neighborhoods but whose domestic and private lives are increasingly permeated by English. In particular, children emerge as powerful forces of language socialization in English for their parents. Further, there are important individual differences by level of proficiency, with a lowest proficiency group that is less acculturated, lower in socioeconomic status, and even more linguistically isolated than groups with higher proficiency. In essence, level of second language proficiency is a potent source of intracultural variation. Methodologically, the paper makes the important point that self-rated patterns of language use are consistent with scores on formal measures of proficiency. The paper also provides empirical verification of the logic of dividing language use into external, social speech and internal, psychological speech. PMID:19184621

Cannabis effects on driving skills.

PubMed

Hartman, Rebecca L; Huestis, Marilyn A

2013-03-01

Cannabis is the most prevalent illicit drug identified in impaired drivers. The effects of cannabis on driving continue to be debated, making prosecution and legislation difficult. Historically, delays in sample collection, evaluating the inactive Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) metabolite 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC, and polydrug use have complicated epidemiologic evaluations of driver impairment after cannabis use. We review and evaluate the current literature on cannabis' effects on driving, highlighting the epidemiologic and experimental data. Epidemiologic data show that the risk of involvement in a motor vehicle accident (MVA) increases approximately 2-fold after cannabis smoking. The adjusted risk of driver culpability also increases substantially, particularly with increased blood THC concentrations. Studies that have used urine as the biological matrix have not shown an association between cannabis and crash risk. Experimental data show that drivers attempt to compensate by driving more slowly after smoking cannabis, but control deteriorates with increasing task complexity. Cannabis smoking increases lane weaving and impaired cognitive function. Critical-tracking tests, reaction times, divided-attention tasks, and lane-position variability all show cannabis-induced impairment. Despite purported tolerance in frequent smokers, complex tasks still show impairment. Combining cannabis with alcohol enhances impairment, especially lane weaving. Differences in study designs frequently account for inconsistencies in results between studies. Participant-selection bias and confounding factors attenuate ostensible cannabis effects, but the association with MVA often retains significance. Evidence suggests recent smoking and/or blood THC concentrations 2-5 ng/mL are associated with substantial driving impairment, particularly in occasional smokers. Future cannabis-and-driving research should emphasize challenging tasks, such as divided attention, and include occasional and chronic daily cannabis smokers.

Conditions for achieving ideal and Lambertian symmetrical solar concentrators.

PubMed

Luque, A; Lorenzo, E

1982-10-15

In this paper we are concerned with symmetrical bidimensional concentrators, and we prove that for a given source's angular extension a curve exists that divides the plane into two regions. No ideal concentrator can be found with its edges on the outer region and no Lambertian concentrator can be found with its edges on the inner region. A consequence of this theorem is that a concentrator is forced to cast some of the incident energy outside the collector to ensure its obtaining the maximum power.

Comparison of hematologic values in blood samples with lithium heparin or dipotassium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid anticoagulants in Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis).

PubMed

Guzman, David Sanchez-Migallon; Mitchell, Mark A; Gaunt, Stephen D; Beaufrère, Hugues; Tully, Thomas N

2008-06-01

Blood samples were collected from 20 Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis) and were divided into tubes that contained dipotassium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (K2EDTA) and lithium heparin. Complete blood cell counts were determined in each sample within 2 hours of collection. The level of agreement in results was moderate for plasma protein, packed cell volume (PCV), and leukocyte, monocyte, and lymphocyte counts between the anticoagulants. Plasma protein and PCV values were significantly lower in samples with lithium heparin than in those with K2EDTA, whereas lymphocyte numbers were significantly higher in lithium heparin samples than in K2EDTA samples. The level of agreement was good for the other cell types (heterophils, eosinophils, and basophils) when comparing the different anticoagulants. The poor level of agreement between anticoagulants with the increase in thrombocyte clumping in lithium heparin samples indicates that the use of lithium heparin as anticoagulant may affect thrombocyte count. No negative effects on morphology and staining of blood cells were apparent in smears from heparin samples compared with K2EDTA samples. Within the different values compared, the limits of agreement are small enough to be confident that lithium heparin can be used for routine CBC counts in a clinical setting. The use of the same anticoagulant should be recommended to follow trends within the same patient, especially when considering plasma protein concentration, PCV, and lymphocyte count.

Seasonal dynamics of nitrate and ammonium ion concentrations in soil solutions collected using MacroRhizon suction cups.

PubMed

Kabala, Cezary; Karczewska, Anna; Gałka, Bernard; Cuske, Mateusz; Sowiński, Józef

2017-07-01

The aims of the study were to analyse the concentration of nitrate and ammonium ions in soil solutions obtained using MacroRhizon miniaturized composite suction cups under field conditions and to determine potential nitrogen leaching from soil fertilized with three types of fertilizers (standard urea, slow-release urea, and ammonium nitrate) at the doses of 90 and 180 kg ha -1 , applied once or divided into two rates. During a 3-year growing experiment with sugar sorghum, the concentration of nitrate and ammonium ions in soil solutions was the highest with standard urea fertilization and the lowest in variants fertilized with slow-release urea for most of the months of the growing season. Higher concentrations of both nitrogen forms were noted at the fertilizer dose of 180 kg ha -1 . One-time fertilization, at both doses, resulted in higher nitrate concentrations in June and July, while dividing the dose into two rates resulted in higher nitrate concentrations between August and November. The highest potential for nitrate leaching during the growing season was in July. The tests confirmed that the miniaturized suction cups MacroRhizon are highly useful for routine monitoring the concentration of nitrate and ammonium ions in soil solutions under field conditions.

Genotyping for DQA1 and PM loci in urine using PCR-based amplification: effects of sample volume, storage temperature, preservatives, and aging on DNA extraction and typing.

PubMed

Vu, N T; Chaturvedi, A K; Canfield, D V

1999-05-31

Urine is often the sample of choice for drug screening in aviation/general forensic toxicology and in workplace drug testing. In some instances, the origin of the submitted samples may be challenged because of the medicolegal and socioeconomic consequences of a positive drug test. Methods for individualization of biological samples have reached a new boundary with the application of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in DNA profiling, but a successful characterization of the urine specimens depends on the quantity and quality of DNA present in the samples. Therefore, the present study investigated the influence of storage conditions, sample volume, concentration modes, extraction procedures, and chemical preservations on the quantity of DNA recovered, as well as the success rate of PCR-based genotyping for DQA1 and PM loci in urine. Urine specimens from male and female volunteers were divided and stored at various temperatures for up to 30 days. The results suggested that sample purification by dialfiltration, using 3000-100,000 molecular weight cut-off filters, did not enhance DNA recovery and typing rate as compared with simple centrifugation procedures. Extraction of urinary DNA by the organic method and by the resin method gave comparable typing results. Larger sample volume yielded a higher amount of DNA, but the typing rates were not affected for sample volumes between 1 and 5 ml. The quantifiable amounts of DNA present were found to be greater in female (14-200 ng/ml) than in male (4-60 ng/ml) samples and decreased with the elapsed time under both room temperature (RT) and frozen storage. Typing of the male samples also demonstrated that RT storage samples produced significantly higher success rates than that of frozen samples, while there was only marginal difference in the DNA typing rates among the conditions tested using female samples. Successful assignment of DQA1 + PM genotype was achieved for all samples of fresh urine, independent of gender, starting sample volume, or concentration method. Preservation by 0.25% sodium azide was acceptable for sample storage at 4 degrees C during a period of 30 days. For longer storage duration, freezing at -70 degrees C may be more appropriate. Thus, the applicability of the DQA1 + PM typing was clearly demonstrated for individualization of urine samples.

A mathematical model of reservoir sediment quality prediction based on land-use and erosion processes in watershed

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Junakova, N.; Balintova, M.; Junak, J.

2017-10-01

The aim of this paper is to propose a mathematical model for determining of total nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) content in eroded soil particles with emphasis on prediction of bottom sediment quality in reservoirs. The adsorbed nutrient concentrations are calculated using the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) extended by the determination of the average soil nutrient concentration in top soils. The average annual vegetation and management factor is divided into five periods of the cropping cycle. For selected plants, the average plant nutrient uptake divided into five cropping periods is also proposed. The average nutrient concentrations in eroded soil particles in adsorbed form are modified by sediment enrichment ratio to obtain the total nutrient content in transported soil particles. The model was designed for the conditions of north-eastern Slovakia. The study was carried out in the agricultural basin of the small water reservoir Klusov.

Relationship between insulin resistance-associated metabolic parameters and anthropometric measurements with sugar-sweetened beverage intake and physical activity levels in US adolescents: findings from the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

PubMed

Bremer, Andrew A; Auinger, Peggy; Byrd, Robert S

2009-04-01

To evaluate the relationship between insulin resistance-associated metabolic parameters and anthropometric measurements with sugar-sweetened beverage intake and physical activity levels. A cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data collected by the National Center for Health Statistics. Nationally representative samples of US adolescents participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey during the years 1999-2004. A total of 6967 adolescents aged 12 to 19 years. Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and physical activity levels. Glucose and insulin concentrations, a homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), total, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations, triglyceride concentrations, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, waist circumference, and body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) percentile for age and sex. Multivariate linear regression analyses showed that increased sugar-sweetened beverage intake was independently associated with increased HOMA-IR, systolic blood pressure, waist circumference, and body mass index percentile for age and sex and decreased HDL cholesterol concentrations; alternatively, increased physical activity levels were independently associated with decreased HOMA-IR, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations, and triglyceride concentrations and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. Furthermore, low sugar-sweetened beverage intake and high physical activity levels appear to modify each others' effects of decreasing HOMA-IR and triglyceride concentrations and increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. Sugar-sweetened beverage intake and physical activity levels are each independently associated with insulin resistance-associated metabolic parameters and anthropometric measurements in adolescents. Moreover, low sugar-sweetened beverage intake and high physical activity levels appear to modify each others' effects on several health-related outcome variables.

Organic and inorganic nitrogen pools in talus fields and subtalus water, Green Lakes Valley, Colorado front range

USGS Publications Warehouse

Williams, M.W.; Davinroy, T.; Brooks, P.D.

1997-01-01

Organic and inorganic pools of nitrogen (N) were measured in talus fines or 'soils' and subtalus water during the summer of 1995 in the alpine Green Lakes Valley catchment of the Colorado Front Range. Nineteen talus soil samples were divided into four classes: subtalus dry, subtalus wet, surface vegetated and surface bare. The size of the individual talus soil patches ranged from 0.5 to 12.0 m2 in area, with bulk density ranging from 0-98 to 1-71 kg m-3 and soil texture ranging from sandy gravel in the subsurface talus to a loam in the vegetated surface. All samples contained KCl-extractable NH4+ and NO3-, organic N and carbon (C), and 17 of 19 samples contained microbial biomass. The mean subtalus values for KCl-extractable NH4-, of 3.2 mg N kg-1, and NO3-, of 1.0 mg N kg-1, were comparable with developed alpine soils on Niwot Ridge. Average microbial biomass in subtalus soils of 5.4 mg N kg-1 and total N of 1000 mg N kg-1 were about an order of magnitude lower than alpine tundra soils, reflecting the reduced amount of vegetation in talus areas. However, these measurements in surface-vegetated patches of talus were comparable with the well-developed soils on Niwot Ridge. These measurements in talus of microbial biomass, total N and KCl-extractable NH4+ and NO3-, show that there is sufficient biotically conditioned 'soil' within talus fields to influence the solute content of interstitial waters. Mean NO3- concentrations of 20 ??eq 1-1 from 29 samples of subtalus water were significantly higher than the 6-7 ??eq 1-1 in snow, while NH4+ concentrations in subtalus water of 0??7 ??eq 1-1 was significantly lower than in snow at 5??2 ??eq 1-1 (p = 0??001). Nitrate concentrations in subtalus water were significantly (p < 0??0001) correlated with concentrations of geochemica??l weathering products such as Ca2+ (r2 = 0??84) and silica (r2 = 0??49). The correlation of NO3- in subtalus water with geochemical weathering products suggests that NO3- concentrations in subtalus water increased with increased residence time, consistent with a biological source for this subtalus water NO3-. The high NO3- concentrations in subtalus water compared with atmospheric deposition of NO3- suggests that NO3- in talus fields may contribute to NO3- in stream waters of high-elevation catchments. ?? 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

[Effect of glutathione and sodium selenite on the metabolism of arsenic in mice exposed to arsenic through drinking water].

PubMed

Yu, Xiao-Yun; Zhong, Yuan; Niu, Yu-Hong; Qu, Chun-Qing; Li, Ge-Xin; Lü, Xiu-Qiang; Sun, Gui-Fan; Jin, Ya-Ping

2008-09-01

To explore the effect of glutathione (GSH) and sodium selenite on the metabolism of arsenic in the liver, kidney and blood of mice exposed to iAsIII through drinking water. The mice were randomly divided into control, arsenic, GSH and sodium selenite group, respectively. And each group had eight mice and the mice were exposed to 50 mg/L arsenite by drinking water for 4 weeks. Mice were intraperitoneally injected with GSH (600 mg/kg) and sodium selenite (1 mg/kg) for seven days from the beginning of the fourth week. At the end of the fourth week, liver, kidney and blood were sampled to assess the concentrations of inorganic arsenic (iAs), monomethylarsenic acid (MMA), dimethylarsenic acid (DMA) by hydride generation trapping by ultra-hypothermia coupled with atomic absorption spectrometry. The liver DMA (233.76 +/- 60.63 ng/g) concentration in GSH group was significantly higher than the arsenic group (218.36 +/- 42.71 ng/g). The concentration of DMA (88.52 +/- 30.86 ng/g) and total arsenic (TAs) (162.32 +/- 49.45 ng/g) in blood of GSH group was significantly higher than those [(45.32 +/- 12.19 ng/g), (108.51 +/- 18.00 ng/g), respectively] of arsenic groups(q values were 3.06, 6.40, 10.72 respectively, P < 0.05). The primary methylated index (PMI) (0.65 +/- 0.050) and secondary methylated index (SMI) (0.55 +/- 0.050) in liver sample of GSH group were significantly higher than those (0.58 +/- 0.056, 0.44 +/- 0. 093) in arsenic group. In blood samples, the PMI (0.85 +/- 0.066) in GSH group was significantly higher than that (0.54 +/- 0.113) in arsenic group (q values were 3.75, 5.26, 4.21 respectively, P < 0.05). However, no significant difference was identified between sodium selenite and arsenic groups in liver, kidney or blood samples. And no significant difference was detected in kidney samples among all arsenic exposing groups. Exogenous GSH could promote the methylated metabolism of iAsIII, but sodium selenite showed no significant effects.

Attic Dust Analysis Approach for Evaluation of Heavy Metal Deposition on the El Paso Del Norte Region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shekhter, E. G.; van Pelt, S.; Pannell, K.; Gill, T. E.; Barnes, M. A.

2010-12-01

The El Paso del Norte region in the United States is a region of complex topography that is the home to more than 2 million people who share the same air. A large non-ferrous smelter (primary lead-copper smelter),owned by the American Smelting and Refining Company (ASARCO), was functioning in the Rio Grande River valley on the west side of the Franklin Mountains that divide the city of El Paso and across the river from Juarez, Mexico’s largest city on the United States border. During the more than 100 years of operation, beginning in 1887, the ASARCO smelter emissions considerably deteriorated the already complex environmental condition on the US-Mexican border. In order to identify the sources and patterns of heavy metal dispersion, we used an attic dust analyses approach which has not been previously been applied in this area. Undisturbed attic dust can provide an integrated history of atmospheric loading of particulates emanating from geological, biological and anthropogenic sources and can help to reconstruct the air pollution history on a local scale. We sampled attic dust and dust from undisturbed surfaces in 15 buildings of varying ages from three neighborhoods in the cities of El Paso and Juarez. The dust samples and samples of unpolluted buried soil horizons in the area were extracted with aqua regia and analyzed by ICP-AES and ICP-MS. Enrichment ratios (ER) were calculated by dividing the concentration of a trace metal in the attic dust by the mean concentration of the same element in the buried soil horizons. Mean ER for Pb were 263.3, 95.4, and 70.2 for dust collected in a neighborhood near the smelter, downtown Juarez, and an El Paso neighborhood on the other side of the Franklin Mountains from the smelter. Greater ER for As, Cd, Zn, Sb, and Cu followed the same trends, by neighborhood, noted for Pb. In addition, dust collected from attics surfaces (pipes, ducts, storage containers) post-dating smelter disclosure had lower ER for the trace metals than samples collected on adjacent surfaces that were present during the period of smelter operation. Based on the evidence provided by dust chemistry, we conclude that heavy metal contamination was predominantly from smelter stack emissions, was preferentially deposited on the near field, and generally followed the lower path provided by Rio Grande valley rather than mixing to heights that could result in movement over the Franklin Mountains and deposition on the east side of El Paso.

Contamination of agricultural lands by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (Tver region, Russia)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhidkin, Andrey; Koshovskii, Timur; Gennadiev, Alexander

2016-04-01

It is important to study sources and concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the agriculture soils within areas without intensive contaminations. Our studied object was soil and snow cover in the taiga zone (Tver region, Russia). A total of 52 surface (0-30 cm) and 31 subsurface (30-50 cm) soil samples, and 13 snow samples were collected in 35 soil pits, located in forest, crop and layland soils. Studied concentrations of the following 11 individual compounds: two-ring compounds (diphenyl and naphthalene homologues); three-ring compounds (fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene); four-ring compounds (chrysene, pyrene, tetraphene); five-ring compounds (perylene, benzo[a]pyrene); and six-ring compounds (benzo[ghi]perylene). Analyses made by specrtofluorometry method at the temperature of liquid nitrogen. The total concentrations of all PAHs in soil samples ranged from 9 to 770 ng*g-1 with a median of 96 ng*g-1. The sum of high molecular weight PAHs was significantly lower than the sum of low molecular weight PAHs in the studied soils. The phenanthrene concentration was highest and ranged from 1.2 to 720 ng*g-1 (medium 72 ng*g-1). Compared PAHs reserves in snow cover (μg*m-2) with the reserves in topsoil layer (μg*m-2 in the upper 30 cm). Low molecular weight PAHs (fluorene, phenanthrene, diphenyl, naphthalene) reserves in snow was less than 20% from the reserves in the soil surface layer. High molecular weight PAHs (benzo[a]pyrene, chrysene, perylene, pyrene and tetraphene) reserves in snow was about 50-70% from the reserves in soil surface layer. High molecular weight PAHs (benzo[ghi]perylene and anthracene) reserves in snow was more than in topsoil. PAHs vertical distribution in soil profiles was statistically examined. The total concentration of all PAHs decreased with depth in all studied forest soils. In the arable soils was no significant trend in domination of PAHs total concentrations in the plowing and subsoil layers. The ratio of topsoil to subsoil concentrations of PAHs is different for differ congeners. Contents of phenanthrene and fluorene predominantly increase with the depth. Content of high molecular weight PAHs (benzo[a]pyrene, anthracene, tetraphene, perylene and pyrene) predominantly decreased with the depth. Other PAHs congeners have indistinct profile distributions in studied pits. Based on studied results PAHs divided to associations with different concentrations, sources and vertical distribution in soils: a) phenanthrene and fluorine; b) naphthalene, diphenyl; c) pyrene, benzo(a)pyrene, tetraphene, perylene, chrysene; d) anthracene and benzo(ghi)perylene. Research is funded by Russian Science Foundation (Project 14-27-00083).

Neural mechanisms of human perceptual choice under focused and divided attention.

PubMed

Wyart, Valentin; Myers, Nicholas E; Summerfield, Christopher

2015-02-25

Perceptual decisions occur after the evaluation and integration of momentary sensory inputs, and dividing attention between spatially disparate sources of information impairs decision performance. However, it remains unknown whether dividing attention degrades the precision of sensory signals, precludes their conversion into decision signals, or dampens the integration of decision information toward an appropriate response. Here we recorded human electroencephalographic (EEG) activity while participants categorized one of two simultaneous and independent streams of visual gratings according to their average tilt. By analyzing trial-by-trial correlations between EEG activity and the information offered by each sample, we obtained converging behavioral and neural evidence that dividing attention between left and right visual fields does not dampen the encoding of sensory or decision information. Under divided attention, momentary decision information from both visual streams was encoded in slow parietal signals without interference but was lost downstream during their integration as reflected in motor mu- and beta-band (10-30 Hz) signals, resulting in a "leaky" accumulation process that conferred greater behavioral influence to more recent samples. By contrast, sensory inputs that were explicitly cued as irrelevant were not converted into decision signals. These findings reveal that a late cognitive bottleneck on information integration limits decision performance under divided attention, and places new capacity constraints on decision-theoretic models of information integration under cognitive load. Copyright © 2015 the authors 0270-6474/15/353485-14$15.00/0.

Neural mechanisms of human perceptual choice under focused and divided attention

PubMed Central

Wyart, Valentin; Myers, Nicholas E.; Summerfield, Christopher

2015-01-01

Perceptual decisions occur after evaluation and integration of momentary sensory inputs, and dividing attention between spatially disparate sources of information impairs decision performance. However, it remains unknown whether dividing attention degrades the precision of sensory signals, precludes their conversion into decision signals, or dampens the integration of decision information towards an appropriate response. Here we recorded human electroencephalographic (EEG) activity whilst participants categorised one of two simultaneous and independent streams of visual gratings according to their average tilt. By analyzing trial-by-trial correlations between EEG activity and the information offered by each sample, we obtained converging behavioural and neural evidence that dividing attention between left and right visual fields does not dampen the encoding of sensory or decision information. Under divided attention, momentary decision information from both visual streams was encoded in slow parietal signals without interference but was lost downstream during their integration as reflected in motor mu- and beta-band (10–30 Hz) signals, resulting in a ‘leaky’ accumulation process which conferred greater behavioural influence to more recent samples. By contrast, sensory inputs that were explicitly cued as irrelevant were not converted into decision signals. These findings reveal that a late cognitive bottleneck on information integration limits decision performance under divided attention, and place new capacity constraints on decision-theoretic models of information integration under cognitive load. PMID:25716848

Differential reinforcement and resistance to change of divided-attention performance.

PubMed

Podlesnik, Christopher A; Thrailkill, Eric; Shahan, Timothy A

2012-06-01

Behavioral momentum theory provides a framework for understanding how conditions of reinforcement influence instrumental response strength under conditions of disruption (i.e., resistance to change). The present experiment examined resistance to change of divided-attention performance when different overall probabilities of reinforcement were arranged across two components of a multiple schedule. Pigeons responded in a delayed-matching-to-sample procedure with compound samples (color + line orientation) and element comparisons (two colors or two line orientations). Reinforcement ratios of 1:9, 1:1, and 9:1 for accurate matches on the two types of comparison trials were examined across conditions using reinforcement probabilities (color/lines) of .9/.1, .5/.5, and .1/.9 in the rich component and .18/.02, .1/.1, and .02/.18 in the lean component. Relative accuracy with color and line comparisons was an orderly function of relative reinforcement, but this relation did not depend on the overall rate of reinforcement between components. The resistance to change of divided-attention performance was greater for both trial types in the rich component with presession feeding and extinction, but not with decreases in sample duration. These findings suggest promise for the applicability of quantitative models of operant behavior to divided-attention performance, but they highlight the need to further explore conditions impacting the resistance to change of attending.

Differential reinforcement and resistance to change of divided-attention performance

PubMed Central

Thrailkill, Eric

2016-01-01

Behavioral momentum theory provides a framework for understanding how conditions of reinforcement influence instrumental response strength under conditions of disruption (i.e., resistance to change). The present experiment examined resistance to change of divided-attention performance when different overall probabilities of reinforcement were arranged across two components of a multiple schedule. Pigeons responded in a delayed-matching-to-sample procedure with compound samples (color + line orientation) and element comparisons (two colors or two line orientations). Reinforcement ratios of 1:9, 1:1, and 9:1 for accurate matches on the two types of comparison trials were examined across conditions using reinforcement probabilities (color/lines) of .9/.1, .5/.5, and .1/.9 in the rich component and .18/.02, .1/.1, and .02/.18 in the lean component. Relative accuracy with color and line comparisons was an orderly function of relative reinforcement, but this relation did not depend on the overall rate of reinforcement between components. The resistance to change of divided-attention performance was greater for both trial types in the rich component with presession feeding and extinction, but not with decreases in sample duration. These findings suggest promise for the applicability of quantitative models of operant behavior to divided-attention performance, but they highlight the need to further explore conditions impacting the resistance to change of attending. PMID:22038737

[Anaphylactoid reactions induced by polysorbate 80 on Beagle dogs].

PubMed

Sun, Weiwei; Li, Yikui; Wang, Naijie; Du, Feng; Hao, Wei; Zhao, Le

2011-07-01

To evaluate the sensitization effect of polysorbate 80 from different factories on Beagle dogs. Beagles dogs were randomly divided into 5 groups, 3 in each group, received respectively the intravenous infusion of polysorbate 80 made by four factories in the concentration of 0.5%, with the constant infusing speed of 5 mL x min(-1) and volume of 10 mL x kg(-1). Changes were observed before infusion and in the 24 h after infusion, time of symptom appearance and disappearance was recorded, and the grade of response was determined. Moreover, blood pressure and heart rates were tested by the machine of Bp-98E, blood samples of animals were collected before infusion and at 10 min after ending infusion for measuring histamine content in plasma using ELISA. Then the sensitization effect was comprehensively estimated by combined consideration of the responding grade and histamine level. Typical symptoms of anaphylactoid reactions were found in sample 3 group, atypical symptoms were found in other polysorbate 80 groups. Different degrees of heart rate speeding and blood pressure downing were found in polysorbate 80 groups. No over 1-fold increase of plasma histamine level was found in all groups. The atypical anaphylactoid reactions and blood pressure of sample 2 group was lighter than other polysorbate 80 groups. Estimation showed that the sample 3 induced the suspicious anaphylactoid reactions, other test solutions did not induce the typical anaphylactoid reactions on Beagle dogs. For allergies and other special populations, there is still a certain risk to applicate polysorbate 80 in the concentration of 0.5%. Production process of polysorbate 80 have a certain influence on allergenicity, refined polysorbate 80 increase the security, but further reasearchs are needed to confirmed.

Temporal changes in dissolved 137Cs concentrations in groundwater and stream water in Fukushima after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident.

PubMed

Iwagami, Sho; Tsujimura, Maki; Onda, Yuichi; Nishino, Masataka; Konuma, Ryohei; Abe, Yutaka; Hada, Manami; Pun, Ishwar; Sakaguchi, Aya; Kondo, Hiroaki; Yamamoto, Masayoshi; Miyata, Yoshiki; Igarashi, Yasuhito

2017-01-01

The concentration of dissolved 137 Cs in groundwater and stream water in the headwater catchments in Yamakiya district, located ∼35 km north west of Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP), was monitored from June 2011 to July 2013, after the earthquake and tsunami disaster. Groundwater and stream water were sampled at intervals of approximately 2 months at each site. Intensive sampling was also conducted during rainstorm events. Compared with previous data from the Chernobyl NPP accident, the concentration of dissolved 137 Cs in stream water was low. In the Iboishi-yama catchment, a trend was observed for the concentration of dissolved 137 Cs in stream water to decline, which could be divided into two phases by October 2011 (a fast flush of activity as a result of rapid washoff and a slow decline as a result of soil fixation and redistribution processes). The highest 137 Cs concentration recorded at Iboishi-yama was 1.2 Bq/L on August 6, 2011, which then declined to 0.021-0.049 Bq/L during 2013 (in stream water under normal water-flow conditions). During the rainfall events, the concentration of dissolved 137 Cs in stream water increased temporarily. The concentration of dissolved 137 Cs in groundwater at a depth of 30 m at Iboishi-yama displayed a decreasing trend from 2011 to 2013, with a range from 0.039 Bq/L to 0.0025 Bq/L. The effective half-lives of stream water in the initial fast flush and secondary phases were 0.10-0.21 and 0.69-1.5 y, respectively in the three catchments. The effective half-life of groundwater was 0.46-0.58 y at Koutaishi-yama and 0.50-3.3 y at Iboishi-yama. The trend for the concentration of dissolved 137 Cs to decline in groundwater and stream water was similar throughout 2012-2013, and the concentrations recorded in deeper groundwater were closer to those in stream water. The declining trend of dissolved 137 Cs concentrations in stream water was similar to that of the loss of canopy 137 Cs by throughfall, as shown in other reports of forest sites in the Yamakiya district. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Effect of various surface treatment methods on the bond strength of the heat-pressed ceramic samples.

PubMed

Saraçoğlu, A; Cura, C; Cötert, H S

2004-08-01

This in vitro study was conducted to evaluate the interaction between the shear bond strength and the surface treatment method for a commercial dental ceramic. Ninety bonded ceramic units were manufactured for this study. Each unit was made by luting two cylinder-shaped ceramic samples to each other with a resin-composite luting agent. The units were then divided into nine groups, containing 10 units in each group. Samples from each group were treated with one of the following: etching with 4.9% hydrofluoric acid for 10, 20 and 40 s, 9.5% hydrofluoric acid for 10, 20 and 40 s, 40% orthophosphoric acid for 40 s, air abrasion with alumina in 50-microm particles, and grinding with a high-speed diamond bur. The treated samples were then silanated and luted with a resin-composite luting agent. The luted units were then loaded to failure. Two samples from each group were neither silanated nor luted after the surface treatment procedure, and morphological changes obtained by various surface treatment regimens were investigated by scanning electron microscopy. A statistically significant difference was observed among the mean shear bond strengths of the groups prepared with different surface treatment techniques (P = 0.00). Hydrofluoric acid appeared to be the most suitable chemical medium to produce a reliable ceramic bond. Etching time and concentration of the acidic medium were also observed as important prognostic variates. Orthophosphoric acid treatment was observed to be the least effective surface treatment method on the heat-pressed ceramic samples. Physical applications such as bur grinding and air blasting maintained stronger bonds than the orthophosphoric acid, while producing weaker bonds than surfaces treated with hydrofluoric acid in all concentrations and etching periods. The effect of the silane priming agent was not considered in this study. Copyright 2004 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

[Location of semen collection and semen quality: clinic-collected versus home-collected samples].

PubMed

Wang, Wei; Zhong, Zhi-min; Su, Ning; Peng, Ya-ya; Huang, Ting-ting

2014-11-01

To investigate the differences in semen quality between samples collected by masturbation in the clinic and at home. Based on the WHO guidelines, we analyzed the ejaculates collected by masturbation in the clinic and at home from 342 men under infertility assessment and measured the contents of such biochemical markers in the seminal plasma as neutral α-glucosidase, zinc, and fructose. According to the location of semen collection, we divided the samples into two groups, clinic-collected and home-collected, and analyzed the differences in the semen parameters between the two groups with the SPSS 16.0 software. Compared with the clinic-collected semen, the home-collected samples had significantly higher mean values in semen volume (4.0 vs 4.9%), sperm concentration (41 vs 64 x 10(6)/ml), total sperm count (175 vs 270 x 10(6) per ejaculate), progressive sperm motility (40 vs 52%), total count of progressively motile sperm (82 vs 135 x 10(6) per ejaculate) (all P <0.05). No significant differences were found between the two groups in normal sperm morphology (4.0 vs 5.0%) and the contents of neutral α-glucosidase (26 vs 24 mU per ejaculate), zinc (8.0 vs 8.0 μmol per ejaculate), and fructose (62 vs 60 μmol per ejaculate) (all P >0.05). Abnormal sperm concentration (<20 x 10(6)/ml) was observed in significantly fewer of the home-collected samples than the clinic-collected ones (18% [62/342] vs 30% [103/342], P<0.05), and so was abnormal progressive sperm motility (<32%) (64% [219/342] vs 75% [256/342], P<0.05). Our findings show that semen samples collected by masturbation at home has a higher quality than those collected in the clinic. So the location of semen collection should be taken into consideration in infertility investigation.

Sepsis induced by cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) alters nucleotidase activities in platelets of rats.

PubMed

Pereira, Renata S; Bertoncheli, Claudia M; Adefegha, Stephen A; Castilhos, Lívia G; Silveira, Karine L; Rezer, João Felipe P; Doleski, Pedro H; Abdalla, Fátima H; Santos, Karen F; Leal, Claudio A M; Santos, Roberto C V; Casali, Emerson A; Moritz, Cesar E J; Stainki, Daniel R; Leal, Daniela B R

2017-10-01

Sepsis is a potentially lethal condition, and it is associated with platelet alterations. The present study sought to investigate the activity of ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase (E-NTPDase), E-5'-nucleotidase, and ecto-adenosine deaminase (E-ADA) in the platelets of rats that were induced with sepsis. Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups of ten animals each: a negative control group (normal; NC); a group that underwent surgical procedures (sham); and a group that underwent cecal ligation and perforation (CLP). The induction of sepsis was confirmed by bacteremia, and the causative pathogen identified was Escherichia coli. Hematological parameters showed leukocytosis and thrombocytopenia in animals in the septic group. The results also revealed that there were significant (p < 0.05) increases in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) hydrolyses, and in the deamination of adenosine in the CLP group compared to the sham and control groups. Conversely, ADP hydrolysis was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in the CLP group compared to the sham and control groups. Purine levels were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in serum samples from control, sham, and CLP groups. Increased concentrations of ATP, adenosine, and inosine were found in the CLP group compared to the sham and control groups. Conversely, the concentrations of ADP and AMP in the CPL group were not significantly altered. We suggest that alterations in hematological parameters, nucleotide hydrolysis in platelets, and nucleotide concentrations in serum samples of rats with induced sepsis may be related to thromboembolic events. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Study of natural organic matter fractions in water sources of Tehran.

PubMed

Zazouli, M A; Nasseri, S; Mahvi, A H; Mesdaghinia, A R; Gholami, M

2007-05-15

Natural Organic Matters (NOMs) are abundant in natural water resources and in many ways may affect the unit operations in water treatment. Although, NOMs are considered harmless but they have been recognized disinfection by-products precursors (DBP(s)) during the chlorination process. Formation of DBP(s) highly depends on the composition and concentration of NOM, which can be broadly divided into two fractions of hydrophobic (humic) and hydrophilic (non-humic) substances. The objective of this study was to determine Natural organic matter and its fractions concentration in the surface water sources of Tehran. Water sampling was conducted monthly between May to July 2006 in three rivers Lar, Jajrood and Karaj as the main drinking water supplying sources in Tehran. Quantitative parameters of pH, EC, UV254 and DOC were studied based on to standard methods. The XAD-7 resin method was used for fractionation of NOM. Results showed that NOM concentrations in Lar, Jajrood and Karaj rivers were 8.53, 12.9 and 11.3 mg L(-1), respectively. The HPO (hydrophobic) fraction was predominant compared to the HPI (hydrophilic) fraction in the all of water samples. The mean of total percent of HPO and HPI fractions were about 57 and 43%, respectively. Since the hydrophobic NOM fraction exhibits higher trihalomethane formation potential (THMFP) than hydrophilic NOM, Tehran water chlorination exhibits higher THMFP than haloacetic acid formation potential (HAAFP). The information obtained from this study may be further employed in the design of the control technique and management strategies for the water treatment plant, especially for DBP(s) reduction.

[Presence of the trace elements from carbon dioxide absorbent containing lime using a circular apparatus during general anesthesia. ].

PubMed

Macheta, A; Słodowski, W; Kocot, M; Muszyński, T; Rokita, E; Andres, J

2001-01-01

The aim of the study was to evaluate release of the trace elements from carbon dioxide absorbent containing soda lime during general anesthesia. We compared two suppliers Polish "Polfa" and German "Dräger". Following trace elements were evaluated: chromium, copper, zinc, cadmium, lead, nickel in soda lime. In blood of the patients we evaluated: copper, zinc, lead, cadmium, bromine, rubidium, iron, mercury. Proton Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) was used to measure concentrations of the elements. Probes of soda lime were analyzed before anesthesia (Polfa, Dräger), 6 hr after the use (Polfa only) and after 10 weeks (Dräger only). 10 patients were divided in two equal groups, one was anesthetized using soda lime from Polfa and another one from Dräger. Blood samples were taken before anesthesia, immediately after and the next day. Mean values of the concentrations of the elements in soda lime coming from Polfa ranged from 0.20 ppm (nickel) to 7.19 ppm (zinc). In Dräger the measurements were from 0.22 ppm (nickel) to 3.70 ppm (zinc). Mean concentrations of trace elements in blood samples were between 0.20 ppm (lead) and 487 ppm (iron) for the patients anesthetized with Polfa soda lime. In Dräger the measurements ranged from 0.15 ppm (lead) to 485 ppm (iron). Concentrations of cadmium and mercury were below the method's limit. Mean values were almost the same in all time points. Statistical analysis was done using paired t-tests. Values of P < 0.05 were consider significant. We concluded that there were no statistically significant differences between examined groups. Thus, we can say that trace elements were not released from soda lime and concentrations of examined elements in patients' blood were not affected by general anesthesia.

Diabetes and hypertension increase the placental and transcellular permeation of the lipophilic drug diazepam in pregnant women

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Previous studies carried out in our laboratories have demonstrated impaired drug permeation in diabetic animals. In this study the permeation of diazepam (after a single dose of 5 mg/day, administered intramuscularly) will be investigated in diabetic and hypertensive pregnant women. Methods A total 75 pregnant women were divided into three groups: group 1 (healthy control, n = 31), group 2 (diabetic, n = 14) and group 3 (hypertensive, n = 30). Two sets of diazepam plasma concentrations were collected and measured (after the administration of the same dose of diazepam), before, during and after delivery. The first set of blood samples was taken from the mother (maternal venous plasma). The second set of samples was taken from the fetus (fetal umbilical venous and arterial plasma). In order to assess the effect of diabetes and hypertension on diazepam placental-permeation, the ratios of fetal to maternal blood concentrations were determined. Differences were considered statistically significant if p ≤ 0.05. Results The diabetes and hypertension groups have 2-fold increase in the fetal umbilical-venous concentrations, compared to the maternal venous concentrations. Feto: maternal plasma-concentrations ratios were higher in diabetes (2.01 ± 1.10) and hypertension (2.26 ± 1.23) groups compared with control (1.30 ± 0.48) while, there was no difference in ratios between the diabetes and hypertension groups. Umbilical-cord arterial: venous ratios (within each group) were similar among all groups (control: 0.97 ± 0.32; hypertension: 1.08 ± 0.60 and diabetes: 1.02 ± 0.77). Conclusions On line with our previous findings which demonstrate disturbed transcellular trafficking of lipophilic drugs in diabetes, this study shows significant increase in diazepam placental-permeation in diabetic and hypertensive pregnant women suggesting poor transcellular control of drug permeation and flux, and bigger exposure of the fetus to drug-placental transport. PMID:24134697

Effects of A Breast-Health Herbal Formula Supplement on Estrogen Metabolism in Pre- and Post-Menopausal Women not Taking Hormonal Contraceptives or Supplements: A Randomized Controlled Trial

PubMed Central

Laidlaw, Maggie; Cockerline, Carla A.; Sepkovic, Daniel W.

2010-01-01

Introduction Both indole-3-carbinol and dietary lignans have beneficial effects on estrogen metabolism and breast cancer risk. There is no published literature on the effects of a combination product. This study was designed to investigate the impact of a combination product on estrogen metabolism. The major trial objective was to determine whether a breast health supplement containing indole-3-carbinol and hydroxymatairesinol lignan would alter estrogen metabolism to favour C-2 hydroxylation and reduce C-16 hydroxylation. Higher concentrations of C-2 metabolites and lower concentrations of C-16 metabolites may reduce breast cancer risk and risk for other hormonally-related cancers. Methods Forty-seven pre-menopausal and forty-nine post-menopausal women were recruited for this study, and were divided by random allocation into treatment and placebo group. The treatment supplement contained HMR lignan, indole-3-carbinol, calcium glucarate, milk thistle, Schisandra chinesis and stinging nettle, and each woman consumed either treatment or placebo for 28 days. At day 0 and day 28, blood samples were analysed for serum enterolactone concentrations, and first morning random urine samples were assessed for estrogen metabolites. Repeated measures ANOVA statistical testing was performed. Results In pre-menopausal women, treatment supplementation resulted in a significant increase (P < 0.05) in urinary 2-OHE concentrations and in the 2:16α-OHE ratio. In post-menopausal women, treatment supplementation resulted in a significant increase in urinary 2-OHE concentrations. In pre- and post-menopausal women combined, treatment supplementation produced a significant increase in urinary 2-OHE concentration and a trend (P = 0.074) toward an increased 2:16α-OHE ratio. There were no significant increases in serum enterolactone concentrations in the treatment or placebo groups. Conclusions Supplementation with a mixture of indole-3-carbinol and HMR lignan in women significantly increased estrogen C-2 hydroxylation. This may constitute a mechanism for the reduction of breast cancer risk as well as risk for other estrogen-related cancers. Further studies with higher numbers of subjects are indicated. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov registration #NCT01089049. PMID:21234288

Effect of supplementation of fermented milk drink containing probiotic Lactobacillus casei Shirota on the concentrations of aflatoxin biomarkers among employees of Universiti Putra Malaysia: a randomised, double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled study.

PubMed

Mohd Redzwan, Sabran; Abd Mutalib, Mohd Sokhini; Wang, Jia-Sheng; Ahmad, Zuraini; Kang, Min-Su; Abdul Rahman, Nurul 'Aqilah; Nikbakht Nasrabadi, Elham; Jamaluddin, Rosita

2016-01-14

Human exposure to aflatoxin is through the diet, and probiotics are able to bind aflatoxin and prevent its absorption in the small intestine. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a fermented milk drink containing Lactobacillus casei Shirota (LcS) (probiotic drink) to prevent aflatoxin absorption and reduce serum aflatoxin B1-lysine adduct (AFB1-lys) and urinary aflatoxin M1 concentrations. The present study was a randomised, double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled study with two 4-week intervention phases. In all, seventy-one subjects recruited from the screening stage were divided into two groups--the Yellow group and the Blue group. In the 1st phase, one group received probiotic drinks twice a day and the other group received placebo drinks. Blood and urine samples were collected at baseline, 2nd and 4th week of the intervention. After a 2-week wash-out period, the treatments were switched between the groups, and blood and urine samples were collected at the 6th, 8th and 10th week (2nd phase) of the intervention. No significant differences in aflatoxin biomarker concentrations were observed during the intervention. A within-group analysis was further carried out. Aflatoxin biomarker concentrations were not significantly different in the Yellow group. Nevertheless, ANOVA for repeated measurements indicated that AFB1-lys concentrations were significantly different (P=0·035) with the probiotic intervention in the Blue group. The 2nd week AFB1-lys concentrations (5·14 (SD 2·15) pg/mg albumin (ALB)) were significantly reduced (P=0·048) compared with the baseline (6·24 (SD 3·42) pg/mg ALB). Besides, the 4th week AFB1-lys concentrations were significantly lower (P<0·05) with probiotic supplementation than with the placebo. Based on these findings, a longer intervention study is warranted to investigate the effects of continuous LcS consumption to prevent dietary aflatoxin exposure.

Chlorinated hydrocarbon contaminants in polar bears from eastern Russia, North America, Greenland, and Svalbard: Biomonitoring of Arctic pollution

USGS Publications Warehouse

Norstrom, R.J.; Belikov, Stanislav; Born, E.W.; Garner, G.W.; Malone, B.; Olpinski, S.; Ramsay, M.A.; Schliebe, S.; Stirling, I.; Sitshov, M.S.; Taylor, M.K.; Wiig, Øystein

1998-01-01

Adipose tissue samples from polar bears (Ursus maritimus) were obtained by necropsy or biopsy between the spring of 1989 to the spring of 1993 from Wrangel Island in Russia, most of the range of the bear in North America, eastern Greenland, and Svalbard. Samples were divided into 16 regions corresponding as much as possible to known stocks or management zones. Concentrations of dieldrin (DIEL), 4,4'-DDE (DDE), sum of 16 polychlorinated biphenyl congeners (sigma PCB), and sum of 11 chlordane-related compounds and metabolites (sigma CHL) were determined. In order to minimize the effect of age, only data for adults (320 bears age 5 years and older) was used to compare concentrations among regions. Concentrations of sigma PCB were 46% higher in adult males than females, and there was no significant trend with age. Concentrations of sigma CHL were 30% lower in adult males than females. Concentrations of sigma PCB, sigma CHL, and DDE in individual adult female bears were standardized to adult males using factors derived from the least-square means of each sex category, and geometric means of the standardized concentrations on a lipid weight basis were compared among regions. Median geometric mean standardized concentrations (lipid weight basis) and ranges among regions were as follows: sigma PCB, 5,942 (2,763-24,316) micrograms/kg; sigma CHL, 1,952 (727-4,632) micrograms/kg; DDE, 219 (52-560) micrograms/kg; DIEL, 157 (31-335) micrograms/kg. Geometric mean sigma PCB concentrations in bears from Svalbard, East Greenland, and the Arctic Ocean near Prince Patrick Island in Canada were similar (20,256-24,316 micrograms/kg) and significantly higher than most other areas. Atmospheric, oceanic, and ice transport, as well as ecological factors may contribute to these high concentrations of sigma PCB. sigma CHL was more uniformly distributed among regions than the other CHCs. Highest sigma CHL concentrations were found in southeastern Hudson Bay, which also had the highest DDE and DIEL concentrations. In general, concentrations of sigma CHL, DDE, and DIEL were higher in eastern than western regions, suggesting an influence of North American sources. Average sigma PCB concentrations in bears from the Canadian Arctic were similar to those in 1982-84, while average sigma CHL and DDE concentrations were 35-44% lower and DIEL was 90% lower. However, the significance of these temporal trends during the 1980s is not conclusive because of the problems of comparability of data.

Water-quality characteristics and ground water quantity of the Fraser River Watershed, Grand County, Colorado, 1998-2001

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bauch, Nancy J.; Bails, Jeffrey B.

2004-01-01

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Grand County Board of County Commissioners, conducted a 4-year study to assess ground- and surface-water-quality conditions and ground-water quantity in the 302-square-mile Fraser River watershed in north-central Colorado. The Fraser River flows north about 28 miles from the headwaters near the Continental Divide, through the towns of Winter Park, Fraser, Tabernash, and Granby, and is one of the major tributaries to the Upper Colorado River. Increasing urban development, as well as the seasonal influx of tourists, is placing more demands on the water resources in the Fraser River watershed. A ground-water sampling network of 11 wells was established to represent different aquifer systems (alluvial, Troublesome Formation, Precambrian granite), land uses (urban, nonurban), and areas with or without individual septic disposal system use. The well network was sampled for ground-water quality on a semiannual basis from August 1998 through September 2001. The sampling included field properties and the collection of water samples for analysis of major ions, trace elements, nutrients, dissolved organic carbon, bacteria, methylene blue active substances, and radon-222. One surface-water site, on the Fraser River just downstream from the town of Tabernash, Colorado, was sampled bimonthly from August 1998 through September 2001 to assess the cumulative effects of natural and human processes on water quality in the upper part of the Fraser River watershed. Surface-water-quality sampling included field properties and the collection of water-quality samples for analysis of major ions, trace elements, nutrients, organic carbon, and bacteria. Ground water was a calcium-bicarbonate type water and is suitable as a drinking-water, domestic, municipal, industrial, and irrigation source. In general, no widespread ground-water-quality problems were indicated. All pH values and concentrations of dissolved solids, chloride, fluoride, sulfate, nitrite, and nitrate in the ground-water samples met or were substantially less than U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking-water standards and health advisories or State of Colorado water-quality standards. Federal standards for turbidity and concentrations of iron, manganese, methylene blue active substances, and radon-222 were not met in water samples from at least one well. The only ground-water-quality concern assessed by this study is radon-222, which was detected in all radon- analyzed samples from 10 wells at levels exceeding the proposed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking-water standard of 300 picocuries per liter. Concentrations of chloride, magnesium, and sulfate were statistically different (higher) in ground-water samples from wells completed in the alluvial aquifer, urbanized areas, and areas with individual septic disposal system use than those from wells completed in the Troublesome Formation, nonurban areas, and areas without individual septic disposal system use. Dissolved organic carbon concentrations were statistically higher in ground-water samples from wells completed in the alluvial aquifer and areas without individual septic disposal system use than those from wells completed in the Troublesome Formation and areas with individual septic disposal system use. Differences in dissolved organic-carbon concentrations between the latter category and areas without septic systems likely had no environmental significance. Surface water at the site Fraser River below Crooked Creek at Tabernash was a calcium-bicarbonate type water and is suitable as a drinking-water, residential, commercial, and irrigation resource. All pH values and concentrations of dissolved oxygen were within the State of Colorado instream water-quality standards, and all concentrations of chloride, sulfate, iron, manganese, un-ionized ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and fecal coliform bacteria met State standards. Seasonal changes in the values or conc

Concentrations of isoflavones and their metabolites in the blood of pregnant and non-pregnant heifers fed soy bean.

PubMed

Woclawek-Potocka, Izabela; Piskula, Mariusz Krzysztof; Bah, Mamadou; Siemieniuch, Marta Jolanta; Korzekwa, Anna; Brzezicka, Edyta; Skarzynski, Dariusz Jan

2008-10-01

The present study compared the changes in isoflavones (daidzein and genistein) and their metabolite (equol and para-ethyl-phenol) concentrations in the blood plasma of cyclic and pregnant heifers after feeding with soy bean. Twelve healthy heifers were divided into three groups: cyclic heifers (days 8-12 of the estrous cycle; control group; n=4), an early pregnancy group (2 months pregnant; n=4) and a late pregnancy group (8 months pregnant; n=4). All heifers were fed a single dose of 2.5 kg of soy bean and then blood samples were taken from the jugular vein for 8 h at predetermined intervals. The concentrations of soy bean-derived isoflavones and their active metabolites were measured in the blood plasma on an HPLC system. In the blood plasma of the early- and late-pregnant heifers, we found lower concentrations and time-dependent decreases in daidzein and genistein in comparison to cyclic heifers (P<0.05). Moreover, we noticed significant increases of equol and para-ethyl-phenol in the blood plasma of the early-pregnant heifers (P<0.05). In contrast, in the blood plasma of the late-pregnant heifers, we did not find an increase in the isoflavone metabolite concentrations compared with the early-pregnant heifers (P>0.05). In conclusion, physiological status (cyclicity or pregnancy) of the females influenced the concentrations of isoflavone metabolites in the blood plasma of the heifers. The stage of pregnancy affects isoflavone absorption, biotransformation and metabolism differently and results in higher concentrations of active metabolites of isoflavones during early pregnancy in comparison to their lower concentrations during late pregnancy. Therefore, we surmise that cows are more sensitive to active isoflavone metabolite actions during early pregnancy than cyclic heifers and heifers in late pregnancy.

The effect of growth rate on pyrazinamide activity in Mycobacterium tuberculosis - insights for early bactericidal activity?

PubMed

Pullan, Steven T; Allnutt, Jon C; Devine, Rebecca; Hatch, Kim A; Jeeves, Rose E; Hendon-Dunn, Charlotte L; Marsh, Philip D; Bacon, Joanna

2016-05-17

Pyrazinamide (PZA) plays an essential part in the shortened six-month tuberculosis (TB) treatment course due to its activity against slow-growing and non-replicating organisms. We tested whether PZA preferentially targets slow growing cells of Mycobacterium tuberculosis that could be representative of bacteria that remain after the initial kill with isoniazid (INH), by observing the response of either slow growing or fast growing bacilli to differing concentrations of PZA. M. tuberculosis H37Rv was grown in continuous culture at either a constant fast growth rate (Mean Generation Time (MGT) of 23.1 h) or slow growth rate (69.3 h MGT) at a controlled dissolved oxygen tension of 10 % and a controlled acidity at pH 6.3 ± 0.1. Cultures were exposed to step-wise increases in the concentration of PZA (25 to 500 μgml(-1)) every two MGTs, and bacterial survival was measured. PZA-induced global gene expression was explored for each increase in PZA-concentration, using DNA microarray. At a constant pH 6.3, actively dividing mycobacteria were susceptible to PZA, with similar responses to increasing concentrations of PZA at both growth rates. Three distinct phases of drug response could be distingished for both slow growing (69.3 h MGT) and fast growing (23.1 h MGT) bacilli. A bacteriostatic phase at a low concentration of PZA was followed by a recovery period in which the culture adapted to the presence of PZA and bacteria were actively dividing in steady-state. In contrast, there was a rapid loss of viability at bactericidal concentrations. There was a notable delay in the onset of the recovery period in quickly dividing cells compared with those dividing more slowly. Fast growers and slow growers adapted to PZA-exposure via very similar mechanisms; through reduced gene expression of tRNA, 50S, and 30S ribosomal proteins. PZA had an equivalent level of activity against fast growing and slow growing M. tuberculosis. At both growth rates drug-tolerance to sub-lethal concentrations may have been due to reduced expression of tRNA, 50S, and 30S ribosomal proteins. The findings from this study show that PZA has utility against more than one phenotypic sub-population of bacilli and could be re-assessed for its early bactericidal activity, in combination with other drugs, during TB treatment.

Improvement in the stability of serum samples stored in an automated refrigerated module.

PubMed

Parra-Robert, Marina; Rico-Santana, Naira; Alcaraz-Quiles, José; Sandalinas, Silvia; Fernández, Esther; Falcón, Isabel; Pérez-Riedweg, Margarita; Bedini, Josep Lluís

2016-12-01

In clinical laboratories it is necessary to know for how long the analytes are stable in the samples with specific storage conditions. Our laboratory has implemented the new Aptio Automation System (AAS) (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics) where the analyzed samples are stored in a refrigerated storage module (RSM) after being sealed. The aim of the study was to evaluate the stability of serum samples with the AAS and comparing the results with a previous study using a conventional refrigerated system. Serum samples from a total of 50 patients were collected and for each of them 27 biochemical analytes were analyzed. The samples were divided in 5 sets of 10 samples. Each set was re-analyzed at one of the following times: 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120h. Stability was evaluated according to the Total Limit of Change (TLC) criteria, which combine both analytical and biologic variation. A total of 26 out of 27 analytes were stable at the end of the study according to TLC criteria. Lactate dehydrogenase was not stable at 48h observing a decrease in its concentration until the end of the study. In the previous study (conventional storage system) 9 biochemical analytes were not stable with an increase of their levels due to the evaporation process. The RSM connected to the AAS improves the stability of serum samples. This system avoids the evaporation process due to the sealing of samples and allows better control of the samples during their storage. Copyright © 2016 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Liver antioxidant stores protect the brain from electromagnetic radiation (900 and 1800 MHz)-induced oxidative stress in rats during pregnancy and the development of offspring.

PubMed

Çetin, Hasan; Nazıroğlu, Mustafa; Çelik, Ömer; Yüksel, Murat; Pastacı, Nural; Özkaya, Mehmet Okan

2014-12-01

The present study determined the effects of mobile phone (900 and 1800 MHz)-induced electromagnetic radiation (EMR) exposure on oxidative stress in the brain and liver as well as the element levels in growing rats from pregnancy to 6 weeks of age. Thirty-two rats and their offspring were equally divided into three different groups: the control, 900 MHz, and 1800 MHz groups. The 900 MHz and 1800 MHz groups were exposed to EMR for 60 min/d during pregnancy and neonatal development. At the 4th, 5th, and 6th weeks of the experiment, brain samples were obtained. Brain and liver glutathione peroxidase activities, as well as liver vitamin A and β-carotene concentrations decreased in the EMR groups, although brain iron, vitamin A, and β-carotene concentrations increased in the EMR groups. In the 6th week, selenium concentrations in the brain decreased in the EMR groups. There were no statistically significant differences in glutathione, vitamin E, chromium, copper, magnesium, manganese, and zinc concentrations between the three groups. EMR-induced oxidative stress in the brain and liver was reduced during the development of offspring. Mobile phone-induced EMR could be considered as a cause of oxidative brain and liver injury in growing rats.

Contamination and spatial variation of heavy metals in the soil-rice system in Nanxun County, Southeastern China.

PubMed

Zhao, Keli; Fu, Weijun; Ye, Zhengqian; Zhang, Chaosheng

2015-01-28

There is an increasing concern about heavy metal contamination in farmland in China and worldwide. In order to reveal the spatial features of heavy metals in the soil-rice system, soil and rice samples were collected from Nanxun, Southeastern China. Compared with the guideline values, elevated concentrations of heavy metals in soils were observed, while heavy metals in rice still remained at a safe level. Heavy metals in soils and rice had moderate to strong spatial dependence (nugget/sill ratios: 13.2% to 49.9%). The spatial distribution of copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in soils illustrated that their high concentrations were located in the southeast part. The high concentrations of cadmium (Cd) in soils were observed in the northeast part. The accumulation of all the studied metals is related to the long-term application of agrochemicals and industrial activities. Heavy metals in rice showed different spatial distribution patterns. Cross-correlograms were produced to quantitatively determine the spatial correlation between soil properties and heavy metals composition in rice. The pH and soil organic matter had significant spatial correlations with the concentration of heavy metals in rice. Most of the selected variables had clear spatial correlation ranges for heavy metals in rice, which could be further applied to divide agricultural management zones.

Quantitative Determination of Fusarium proliferatum Concentration in Intact Garlic Cloves Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

PubMed Central

Tamburini, Elena; Mamolini, Elisabetta; De Bastiani, Morena; Marchetti, Maria Gabriella

2016-01-01

Fusarium proliferatum is considered to be a pathogen of many economically important plants, including garlic. The objective of this research was to apply near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to rapidly determine fungal concentration in intact garlic cloves, avoiding the laborious and time-consuming procedures of traditional assays. Preventive detection of infection before seeding is of great interest for farmers, because it could avoid serious losses of yield during harvesting and storage. Spectra were collected on 95 garlic cloves, divided in five classes of infection (from 1-healthy to 5-very highly infected) in the range of fungal concentration 0.34–7231.15 ppb. Calibration and cross validation models were developed with partial least squares regression (PLSR) on pretreated spectra (standard normal variate, SNV, and derivatives), providing good accuracy in prediction, with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.829 and 0.774, respectively, a standard error of calibration (SEC) of 615.17 ppb, and a standard error of cross validation (SECV) of 717.41 ppb. The calibration model was then used to predict fungal concentration in unknown samples, peeled and unpeeled. The results showed that NIRS could be used as a reliable tool to directly detect and quantify F. proliferatum infection in peeled intact garlic cloves, but the presence of the external peel strongly affected the prediction reliability. PMID:27428978

Biomimetic coatings enhance tribocorrosion behavior and cell responses of commercially pure titanium surfaces

PubMed Central

Marques, Isabella da Silva Vieira; Alfaro, Maria Fernanda; Saito, Miki Taketomi; da Cruz, Nilson Cristino; Takoudis, Christos; Landers, Richard; Mesquita, Marcelo Ferraz; Nociti Junior, Francisco Humberto; Mathew, Mathew T.; Sukotjo, Cortino; Barão, Valentim Adelino Ricardo

2016-01-01

Biofunctionalized surfaces for implants are currently receiving much attention in the health care sector. Our aims were (1) to create bioactive Ti-coatings doped with Ca, P, Si, and Ag produced by microarc oxidation (MAO) to improve the surface properties of biomedical implants, (2) to investigate the TiO2 layer stability under wear and corrosion, and (3) to evaluate human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) responses cultured on the modified surfaces. Tribocorrosion and cell experiments were performed following the MAO treatment. Samples were divided as a function of different Ca/P concentrations and treatment duration. Higher Ca concentration produced larger porous and harder coatings compared to the untreated group (p < 0.001), due to the presence of rutile structure. Free potentials experiments showed lower drops (−0.6 V) and higher coating lifetime during sliding for higher Ca concentration, whereas lower concentrations presented similar drops (−0.8 V) compared to an untreated group wherein the drop occurred immediately after the sliding started. MAO-treated surfaces improved the matrix formation and osteogenic gene expression levels of hMSCs. Higher Ca/P ratios and the addition of Ag nanoparticles into the oxide layer presented better surface properties, tribocorrosive behavior, and cell responses. MAO is a promising technique to enhance the biological, chemical, and mechanical properties of dental implant surfaces. PMID:27514370

Biomimetic coatings enhance tribocorrosion behavior and cell responses of commercially pure titanium surfaces.

PubMed

Marques, Isabella da Silva Vieira; Alfaro, Maria Fernanda; Saito, Miki Taketomi; da Cruz, Nilson Cristino; Takoudis, Christos; Landers, Richard; Mesquita, Marcelo Ferraz; Nociti Junior, Francisco Humberto; Mathew, Mathew T; Sukotjo, Cortino; Barão, Valentim Adelino Ricardo

2016-09-11

Biofunctionalized surfaces for implants are currently receiving much attention in the health care sector. Our aims were (1) to create bioactive Ti-coatings doped with Ca, P, Si, and Ag produced by microarc oxidation (MAO) to improve the surface properties of biomedical implants, (2) to investigate the TiO2 layer stability under wear and corrosion, and (3) to evaluate human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) responses cultured on the modified surfaces. Tribocorrosion and cell experiments were performed following the MAO treatment. Samples were divided as a function of different Ca/P concentrations and treatment duration. Higher Ca concentration produced larger porous and harder coatings compared to the untreated group (p < 0.001), due to the presence of rutile structure. Free potentials experiments showed lower drops (-0.6 V) and higher coating lifetime during sliding for higher Ca concentration, whereas lower concentrations presented similar drops (-0.8 V) compared to an untreated group wherein the drop occurred immediately after the sliding started. MAO-treated surfaces improved the matrix formation and osteogenic gene expression levels of hMSCs. Higher Ca/P ratios and the addition of Ag nanoparticles into the oxide layer presented better surface properties, tribocorrosive behavior, and cell responses. MAO is a promising technique to enhance the biological, chemical, and mechanical properties of dental implant surfaces.

Mineral Composition of Organically Grown Wheat Genotypes: Contribution to Daily Minerals Intake

PubMed Central

Hussain, Abrar; Larsson, Hans; Kuktaite, Ramune; Johansson, Eva

2010-01-01

In this study, 321 winter and spring wheat genotypes were analysed for twelve nutritionally important minerals (B, Cu, Fe, Se, Mg, Zn, Ca, Mn, Mo, P, S and K). Some of the genotypes used were from multiple locations and years, resulting in a total number of 493 samples. Investigated genotypes were divided into six genotype groups i.e., selections, old landraces, primitive wheat, spelt, old cultivars and cultivars. For some of the investigated minerals higher concentrations were observed in selections, primitive wheat, and old cultivars as compared to more modern wheat material, e.g., cultivars and spelt wheat. Location was found to have a significant effect on mineral concentration for all genotype groups, although for primitive wheat, genotype had a higher impact than location. Spring wheat was observed to have significantly higher values for B, Cu, Fe, Zn, Ca, S and K as compared to winter wheat. Higher levels of several minerals were observed in the present study, as compared to previous studies carried out in inorganic systems, indicating that organic conditions with suitable genotypes may enhance mineral concentration in wheat grain. This study also showed that a very high mineral concentration, close to daily requirements, can be produced by growing specific primitive wheat genotypes in an organic farming system. Thus, by selecting genotypes for further breeding, nutritional value of the wheat flour for human consumption can be improved. PMID:20948934

Spatial distribution of digestive proteinases in the midgut of the Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) indicates the existence of endo-ectoperitrophic circulation in Crustacea.

PubMed

Alexandre, Daniel; Ozório, Renata A; Derner, Roberto B; Fracalossi, Débora M; Oliveira, Gabriel B; Samuels, Richard I; Terra, Walter R; Silva, Carlos P

2014-01-01

The effect of dietary protein concentration on the spatial distribution of digestive proteinases in the shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei indicates the existence of endo-ectoperitrophic enzyme circulation in this species. Samples recovered from the midgut gland tissues, stomach contents, three different portions of the midgut and feces were used for quantitative and qualitative analyses of the composition and distribution of the digestive proteinases. Animals were divided into three different groups: (1) animals (controls) fed with a commercial 35% protein diet, (2) animals fed with a commercial diet supplemented with ovalbumin to a final protein concentration of 60%; (3) animals fed with an 80% protein diet. Quantitative determinations using different substrates and zymograms showed that increasing protein concentration in the diet alters the distribution of proteinases along the digestive tract. Composition of proteinases in the midgut gland, stomach contents, midgut sections and feces were similar, but not identical. Chymotrypsin and trypsin paralogues were identified in all enzyme sources in a concentration gradient along the midgut in the control shrimp, the expected distribution supporting the existence of a recycling mechanism. The occurrence of a peritrophic membrane in other Decapoda suggests that endo-ectoperitrophic circulation of digestive enzymes and nutrients may also occur in other crustaceans and also extends beyond the Insecta. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Contamination and Spatial Variation of Heavy Metals in the Soil-Rice System in Nanxun County, Southeastern China

PubMed Central

Zhao, Keli; Fu, Weijun; Ye, Zhengqian; Zhang, Chaosheng

2015-01-01

There is an increasing concern about heavy metal contamination in farmland in China and worldwide. In order to reveal the spatial features of heavy metals in the soil-rice system, soil and rice samples were collected from Nanxun, Southeastern China. Compared with the guideline values, elevated concentrations of heavy metals in soils were observed, while heavy metals in rice still remained at a safe level. Heavy metals in soils and rice had moderate to strong spatial dependence (nugget/sill ratios: 13.2% to 49.9%). The spatial distribution of copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in soils illustrated that their high concentrations were located in the southeast part. The high concentrations of cadmium (Cd) in soils were observed in the northeast part. The accumulation of all the studied metals is related to the long-term application of agrochemicals and industrial activities. Heavy metals in rice showed different spatial distribution patterns. Cross-correlograms were produced to quantitatively determine the spatial correlation between soil properties and heavy metals composition in rice. The pH and soil organic matter had significant spatial correlations with the concentration of heavy metals in rice. Most of the selected variables had clear spatial correlation ranges for heavy metals in rice, which could be further applied to divide agricultural management zones. PMID:25635917

40 CFR 761.267 - Sampling non-porous surfaces.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Sampling non-porous surfaces. 761.267... PROHIBITIONS Cleanup Site Characterization Sampling for PCB Remediation Waste in Accordance with § 761.61(a)(2) § 761.267 Sampling non-porous surfaces. (a) Sample large, nearly flat, non-porous surfaces by dividing...

40 CFR 761.267 - Sampling non-porous surfaces.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 30 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Sampling non-porous surfaces. 761.267... PROHIBITIONS Cleanup Site Characterization Sampling for PCB Remediation Waste in Accordance with § 761.61(a)(2) § 761.267 Sampling non-porous surfaces. (a) Sample large, nearly flat, non-porous surfaces by dividing...

Effect of Day and Night Desflurane Anaesthesia on Melatonin Levels in Rats.

PubMed

Özer, Figen Datlı; Öçmen, Elvan; Akan, Pınar; Erdost, Hale Aksu; Korkut, Sezen; Gökmen, Ali Necati

2016-08-01

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of day and night administration of desflurane anaesthesia on melatonin levels in rats. Twenty-four 15-day-old rats were included in the study and were divided into four groups. The rats were anaesthetised between 19:00-01:00 (night group) and 07:00-13:00 (day group) with 5.7% desflurane concentration in 6 L min -1 100% oxygen. 6 L min -1 oxygen was administered to the control groups. At the end of 6 h of anaesthesia, blood samples were taken, and rats were sacrificed. Blood samples were centrifuged and melatonin levels from plasma samples were measured with radioimmunoassay. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups (p=0.007). Between group day control and group night control there was a statistically significant difference (p=0.042). Further, there was a significant difference between group day control and night desfluran as well (p=0.024). We could not find any difference between other groups. This study showed that 6 hours of 5.7% desflurane anaesthesia during day and night hours did not significantly change melatonin levels.

Predictive Modeling and Concentration of the Risk of Suicide: Implications for Preventive Interventions in the US Department of Veterans Affairs

PubMed Central

McCarthy, John F.; Katz, Ira R.; Thompson, Caitlin; Kemp, Janet; Hannemann, Claire M.; Nielson, Christopher; Schoenbaum, Michael

2015-01-01

Objectives. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) evaluated the use of predictive modeling to identify patients at risk for suicide and to supplement ongoing care with risk-stratified interventions. Methods. Suicide data came from the National Death Index. Predictors were measures from VHA clinical records incorporating patient-months from October 1, 2008, to September 30, 2011, for all suicide decedents and 1% of living patients, divided randomly into development and validation samples. We used data on all patients alive on September 30, 2010, to evaluate predictions of suicide risk over 1 year. Results. Modeling demonstrated that suicide rates were 82 and 60 times greater than the rate in the overall sample in the highest 0.01% stratum for calculated risk for the development and validation samples, respectively; 39 and 30 times greater in the highest 0.10%; 14 and 12 times greater in the highest 1.00%; and 6.3 and 5.7 times greater in the highest 5.00%. Conclusions. Predictive modeling can identify high-risk patients who were not identified on clinical grounds. VHA is developing modeling to enhance clinical care and to guide the delivery of preventive interventions. PMID:26066914

Predictive Modeling and Concentration of the Risk of Suicide: Implications for Preventive Interventions in the US Department of Veterans Affairs.

PubMed

McCarthy, John F; Bossarte, Robert M; Katz, Ira R; Thompson, Caitlin; Kemp, Janet; Hannemann, Claire M; Nielson, Christopher; Schoenbaum, Michael

2015-09-01

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) evaluated the use of predictive modeling to identify patients at risk for suicide and to supplement ongoing care with risk-stratified interventions. Suicide data came from the National Death Index. Predictors were measures from VHA clinical records incorporating patient-months from October 1, 2008, to September 30, 2011, for all suicide decedents and 1% of living patients, divided randomly into development and validation samples. We used data on all patients alive on September 30, 2010, to evaluate predictions of suicide risk over 1 year. Modeling demonstrated that suicide rates were 82 and 60 times greater than the rate in the overall sample in the highest 0.01% stratum for calculated risk for the development and validation samples, respectively; 39 and 30 times greater in the highest 0.10%; 14 and 12 times greater in the highest 1.00%; and 6.3 and 5.7 times greater in the highest 5.00%. Predictive modeling can identify high-risk patients who were not identified on clinical grounds. VHA is developing modeling to enhance clinical care and to guide the delivery of preventive interventions.

Protective effects of saffron extract and crocin supplementation on fatty liver tissue of high-fat diet-induced obese rats.

PubMed

Mashmoul, Maryam; Azlan, Azrina; Mohtarrudin, Norhafizah; Mohd Yusof, Barakatun Nisak; Khaza'ai, Huzwah; Khoo, Hock Eng; Farzadnia, Mehdi; Boroushaki, Mohammad Taher

2016-10-22

Saffron is the dried stigma of Crocus sativus L. flower which commonly used as a natural remedy to enhance health and even fights disease in the Middle-East and Southeast Asian countries. This study was aimed to investigate protective effect of saffron extract and crocin in fatty liver tissue of high-fat diet induced obese rats. A total of 36 healthy male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into six groups. Two groups served as controls, a normal diet (ND) and a high-fat diet (HFD). The other four groups were each supplemented with saffron extract and crocin at concentrations of 40 and 80 mg/kg body weight/day for 8 weeks. All groups except ND were fed with HFD until end of the study. At baseline, blood sample was collected for determination of levels of hepatic marker enzymes, including aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatise and albumin. Liver sample was collected, weighed and stained with haematoxylin and eosin for further histopathological examination. Saffron extract and crocin at concentrations of 40 and 80 mg/kg had dose-dependently alleviated levels of liver enzymes and histopathological changes in diet-induced obese rat model compared to control (HFD group). This study suggested that saffron extract and crocin supplements have hepatoprotective effect against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and HFD-induced liver damage.

Quercetin dose affects the fate of hepatic ischemia and reperfusion injury in rats: An experimental research.

PubMed

Uylaş, Mustafa Ufuk; Şahin, Adnan; Şahintürk, Varol; Alataş, İbrahim Özkan

2018-05-01

Quercetin found in fruits and vegetables has an antioxidative effect. We aimed to investigate the protective effects of quercetin according to different doses on hepatic and ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Fifty mature male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 10 for each). All the animal groups underwent laparotomy. Group 1 rats served as a sham-operated group. Groups 2-5 underwent 1 h hepatic ischemia and were followed by 2 h reperfusion. Group 3-5 animals received an additional intraperitoneal dose of 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg quercetin respectively before I/R operation. Blood samples were collected for determining serum aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Also, liver tissue samples were taken for measuring of liver MDA concentration and for histopathology assessment. The highest levels of biochemical parameters were observed in group 2. In quercetin-treated groups, serum AST, ALT, MDA levels, and tissue MDA concentration were decreased as inversely with increasing quercetin dose. Microscopic evaluation revealed that most conspicuous histological improvement was observed in 50 mg/kg quercetin co-treated rats. 25 and 100 mg/kg quercetin co-treatment could not protect completely against hepatic I/R injury. Quercetin can be effective in preventing of hepatic I/R injury when the correct dose was used. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Effect of a propolis extract on Streptococcus mutans counts in vivo.

PubMed

Duailibe, Silvana Alves de Carvalho; Gonçalves, Azizedite Guedes; Ahid, Fernando Jorge Mendes

2007-10-01

To evaluate the antibacterial action of an extract of geopropolis produced by the bee Melipona compressipes fasciculata on the concentration of Streptococcus mutans colonizing the oral cavity of young patients. Forty-one young volunteers performed 21 mouth rinses divided into three rinses per day for 7 days, with no other changes in their oral hygiene and dietary habits. Saliva was collected at three time points: before the first rinse, and one hour and 7 days after the first rinse. A reduction in the concentration of S. mutans was observed in 49% of all samples collected after use of the extract, 26% showed no alterations, and an increasing in S. mutans was observed in 25%. Was performed with the Statistica for Windows 5.9 program using the Kruskal-Wallis test for analysis of variance and the Mann-Whitney U test, with the level of significance set at 5%. The propolis extract possesses in vivo antimicrobial activity against S. mutans present in the oral cavity and might be used as an alternative measure to prevent dental caries.

Phytate levels and bone parameters: a retrospective pilot clinical trial.

PubMed

Lopez-Gonzalez, Angel A; Grases, Felix; Perello, Joan; Tur, Fernando; Costa-Bauza, Antonia; Monroy, Nieves; Mari, Bartolome; Vicente-Herrero, Teofila

2010-06-01

This study evaluated the relationship between phytate urinary levels and bone characteristics in a large population of postmenopausal women. The study population consisted of 180 postmenopausal women who participated in a descriptive cross-sectional study. A urine sample was collected from each subject to determine phytate levels and the volunteers were divided into two groups according to phytate urinary concentration (i.e., low and high levels). Bone mineral density was determined in the lumbar spine and femoral neck of groups with low and high phytate urinary levels. Urinary levels of phytate were linked to dietary phytate consumption. Hence, bone mineral density values were significantly higher in the lumbar spines and femoral necks of women who consumed high levels of phytate than in women with low urinary phytate concentrations. Higher urinary levels of phytate correlated with higher bone mineral density in the lumbar spine and femoral necks of postmenopausal women. This finding demonstrates the potential use of phytate in the treatment of bone related diseases, as it uses a mechanism of action similar to some bisphosphonates.

Physiopathological effects of the administration of chronic cyanide to growing goats--a model for ingestion of cyanogenic plants.

PubMed

Soto-Blanco, B; Górniak, S L; Kimura, E T

2001-07-01

Ingestion of cyanogenic plants, such as cassava and sorghum, has been associated with goitre and tropical pancreatic diabetes in both humans and animals. Thus, the objective of the present study was to determine the toxic effects on the thyroid and pancreas in growing goats of prolonged exposure to potassium cyanide (KCN). Thirty-four male goats were divided into five groups dosed with KCN at 0 (control). 0.3, 0.6, 1.2 or 3.0 mg/kg daily for 5 months. Blood samples were obtained in order to determine the glucose, cholesterol, thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and thiocyanate concentrations and for haematological studies; pancreas and thyroid gland were collected for histopathological study. The group receiving the highest dose of cyanide showed lower body weight gains and carcase weights and a decrease in plasma T3 concentrations compared to the control group. Reabsorption vacuoles in follicular colloid and normocytic normochromic anaemia were observed in the experimental animals. Inhibition of peripheral conversion of T4 to T3 is suggested. However, no diabetogenic effects were observed.

Study of 5 Volatile Organic Compounds in Exhaled Breath in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

PubMed

Jareño-Esteban, José Javier; Muñoz-Lucas, M Ángeles; Gómez-Martín, Óscar; Utrilla-Trigo, Sergio; Gutiérrez-Ortega, Carlos; Aguilar-Ros, Antonio; Collado-Yurrita, Luis; Callol-Sánchez, Luis Miguel

2017-05-01

A major risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is tobacco smoke, which generates oxidative stress in airways, resulting in the production of volatile organic compounds (VOC). The purpose of this study was to identify VOCs in exhaled breath and to determine their possible use as disease biomarkers. Exhaled breath from 100 healthy volunteers, divided into 3groups (never smokers, former smokers and active smokers) and exhaled breath from 57 COPD patients were analyzed. Samples were collected using BioVOC ® devices and transferred to universal desorption tubes. Compounds were analyzed by thermal desorption, gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. VOCs analyzed were linear aldehydesand carboxylic acids. The COPD group and healthy controls (never smokers and former smokers) showed statistically significant differences in hexanal concentrations, and never smokers and the COPD group showed statistically significant differences in nonanal concentrations. Hexanal discriminates between COPD patients and healthy non-smoking controls. Nonanal discriminates between smokers and former smokers (with and without COPD) and never smokers. Copyright © 2016 SEPAR. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Insights into the Key Compounds of Durian (Durio zibethinus L. 'Monthong') Pulp Odor by Odorant Quantitation and Aroma Simulation Experiments.

PubMed

Li, Jia-Xiao; Schieberle, Peter; Steinhaus, Martin

2017-01-25

Sixteen compounds, previously identified as potent odorants by application of an aroma extract dilution analysis and the gas chromatography-olfactometry analysis of static headspace samples, were quantitated in the pulp of durians, variety Monthong, and odor activity values (OAVs) were calculated by dividing the concentrations obtained by the odor thresholds of the compounds in water. In combination with data recently reported for hydrogen sulfide and short-chain alkanethiols, OAVs > 1 were obtained for 19 compounds, among which ethyl (2S)-2-methylbutanoate (fruity; OAV 1700000), ethanethiol (rotten onion; OAV 480000), and 1-(ethylsulfanyl)ethane-1-thiol (roasted onion; OAV 250000) were the most potent, followed by methanethiol (rotten, cabbage; OAV 45000), ethane-1,1-dithiol (sulfury, durian; OAV 23000), and ethyl 2-methylpropanoate (fruity; OAV 22000). Aroma simulation and omission experiments revealed that the overall odor of durian pulp could be mimicked by only two compounds, namely, ethyl (2S)-2-methylbutanoate and 1-(ethylsulfanyl)ethane-1-thiol, when combined in their natural concentrations.

Elemental concentrations in kidney and liver of mice fed with cafeteria or standard diet determined by particle induced X-ray emission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leffa, Daniela Dimer; dos Santos, Carla Eliete Iochims; Debastiani, Rafaela; Amaral, Livio; Yoneama, Maria Lucia; Dias, Johnny Ferraz; Andrade, Vanessa Moraes

2014-01-01

The importance of trace elements in human health is well known and their main source is daily diet. Nowadays, one of the biggest issues is the presence of these micronutrients in levels much higher than required, leading to potential toxic effects. The aim of this work was to investigate the elemental content in organs of mice fed with cafeteria or standard diet using PIXE. Twelve male Swiss mice were divided into two groups: control group (standard chow) and cafeteria group (high-caloric diet). After 17 weeks, samples of different organs (kidney and liver) were collected and prepared for PIXE analysis. The Fe concentration in kidney and liver was statistically higher in animals that received the cafeteria diet (p < 0.001). The Al and Si kidney contents were significantly higher for cafeteria diet in relation to standard diet (p < 0.05). Moreover, the standard diet showed significant differences for Cl and K (p < 0.05) in comparison to cafeteria diet in kidney, and for P, S and Zn (p < 0.005) in liver.

Copper recovery and gold enrichment from waste printed circuit boards by mediated electrochemical oxidation.

PubMed

Fogarasi, Szabolcs; Imre-Lucaci, Florica; Imre-Lucaci, Arpád; Ilea, Petru

2014-05-30

The present study aims to develop an eco-friendly chemical-electrochemical process for the simultaneous recovery of copper and separation of a gold rich residue from waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs). The process was carried out by employing two different types of reactors coupled in series: a leaching reactor with a perforated rotating drum, for the dissolution of base metals and a divided electrochemical reactor for the regeneration of the leaching solution with the parallel electrowinning of copper. The process performances were evaluated on the basis of the dissolution efficiency, current efficiency and specific energy consumptions. Finally a process scale up was realized taking into consideration the optimal values of the operating parameters. The laboratory scale leaching plant allowed the recovery of a high purity copper deposit (99.04wt.%) at a current efficiency of 63.84% and specific energy consumption of 1.75kWh/kg cooper. The gold concentration in the remained solid residue was 25 times higher than the gold concentration in the initial WPCB samples. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Spatial distribution of trace metals in the Krka River, Croatia: an example of the self-purification.

PubMed

Cukrov, Neven; Cmuk, Petra; Mlakar, Marina; Omanović, Dario

2008-08-01

The spatial distribution of dissolved and total trace metals (Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu) in the Krka River (partly located in the Krka National Park) has been studied using a "clean" sampling, handling and analysis technique. Differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) with a hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) has been used for trace metal analysis. The Krka River has been divided into the upper and lower flow region with respect to the metals concentration and main physico-chemical parameters. A significant increase in trace metal concentration as the result of the untreated waste water discharge downstream of Knin Town has been registered in the upper flow region. Due to a specific characteristic of the Krka, the so-called self-purification process, a decrease in the elevated trace metals concentration from the water column takes place at numerous small lakes formed by tufa barriers (at the end of the upper flow region). The clean groundwater input at the beginning of the lower flow region additionally contributes to the observed decrease in trace metals concentration in the Krka, maintaining them at a very low level in the remaining region of fresh-water flow. The determined median total concentrations were zinc 120-7400 ng l(-1), cadmium 3-8 ng l(-1), lead 11-250 ng l(-1) and copper 110-440 ng l(-1). Karst rivers, such as the Krka River, with extremely low natural concentrations of trace metals are highly sensitive to the anthropogenic influence. Therefore, such aquatic systems require implementation of strict protection regimes in the entire catchments area.

[Surgical stress and biochemical indicators].

PubMed

Kaska, M; Zivný, P

2003-08-01

An investigation of some relationships of routinely and rarely used biochemical markers to surgical (operating) trauma. A group of 37 patients was divided to two subgroups according type of disease with need a resection of large bowel for malignant or benign malady. Large bowel adenocarcinoma was dominated in a subgroup of malignancies (23 patients, mean BMI 25.59, mean age 63.65 years) and Crohn's disease and complicated diverticullary disease were the reasons to operate in the second subgroup of benignities (14 patients, mean BMI 21.21, mean age 39.5 year). Blood samples were taken before an operation, postoperatively (immediately) and at 6:00 a.m. the 1st, 3rd and 5th postoperative day. The routine methods (albumin, CRP, cholinesterase, haptoglobin, cholesterol), special methods (SOD, glutathion) and ELISA methods (leptin, IL-2r, IL-8, TNF)were used for evaluation markers. The results were estimated by statistic methods Sigma-Stat, One Way ANOVA and linear regression test. The mean serum concentrations of albumin, leptin, cholesterol shifted down very clearly compared to preoperative values. The mean serum concentrations shifted up the 3rd day postoperatively to 722% in benignities and to 1814% in malignancies respectively. The values of cholinesterase, glutation, SOD, and haptoglobin didn't show any more serious dynamics perioperatively. The serum leptin concentrations correlated with BMI but other markers serum concentrations didn't correlate with BMI or with age. The serum leptin, albumin, haptoglobin, CRP concentrations demonstrated serious dynamics perioperatively. These concentrations are stabilized and they reach preoperative levels the 5th postoperative day. Each-other markers correlation is minimal.

Response of Soil Inorganic Nitrogen to Land Use and Topographic Position in the Cofre de Perote Volcano (Mexico)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Campos C., Adolfo

2010-08-01

This study addressed the effects of land use and slope position on soil inorganic nitrogen and was conducted in small watersheds. The study covered three land use types: tropical cloud forest, grassland, and coffee crop. To conduct this research, typical slope small watersheds were chosen in each land use type. Slopes were divided into three positions: shoulder, backslope, and footslope. At the center of each slope position, soil sampling was carried out. Soil inorganic nitrogen was measured monthly during a period of 14 months (July 2005-August 2006) with 11 observations. Significant differences in soil NH4 +-N and NO3 --N content were detected for both land use and sampling date effects, as well as for interactions. A significant slope position-by-sampling date interaction was found only in coffee crop for NO3 --N content. In tropical cloud forest and grassland, high soil NH4 +-N and low NO3 --N content were recorded, while soil NO3 --N content was high in coffee crop. Low NO3 --N contents could mean a substantial microbial assimilation of NO3 --N, constituting an important mechanism for nitrogen retention. Across the entire land use set, the relationship between soil temperature and soil inorganic N concentration was described by an exponential decay function ( N = 33 + 2459exp-0.23T, R 2 = 0.44, P < 0.0001). This study also showed that together, soil temperature and gravimetric soil water content explained more variation in soil inorganic N concentration than gravimetric soil water content alone.

Levels in food and beverages and daily intake of perfluorinated compounds in Norway.

PubMed

Haug, Line Småstuen; Salihovic, Samira; Jogsten, Ingrid Ericson; Thomsen, Cathrine; van Bavel, Bert; Lindström, Gunilla; Becher, Georg

2010-08-01

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) have been determined in 21 samples of selected food and beverages such as meat, fish, bread, vegetables, milk, drinking water and tea from the Norwegian marked. Up to 12 different PFCs were detected in the samples. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) were found in concentrations similar to or lower than what has been observed in other studies world-wide. Differences in the relative proportion of PFOA and PFOS between samples of animal origin and samples of non-animal origin were observed and support findings that PFOS has a higher bioaccumulation potential in animals than PFOA. Based on these 21 measurements and consumption data for the general Norwegian population, a rough estimate of the total dietary intake of PFCs was found to be around 100 ng d(-1). PFOA and PFOS contributed to about 50% of the total intake. When dividing the population in gender and age groups, estimated intakes were decreasing with increasing age and were higher in males than females. The estimated intakes of PFOS and PFOA in the present study are lower than what has been reported in studies from Spain, Germany, United Kingdom, Canada and Japan. This study illustrates that by improving the analytical methods for determination of PFC in food samples, a broad range of compounds can be detected, which is important when assessing dietary exposure. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Estuarine sediment toxicity tests on diatoms: Sensitivity comparison for three species

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moreno-Garrido, Ignacio; Lubián, Luis M.; Jiménez, Begoña; Soares, Amadeu M. V. M.; Blasco, Julián

2007-01-01

Experimental populations of three marine and estuarine diatoms were exposed to sediments with different levels of pollutants, collected from the Aveiro Lagoon (NW of Portugal). The species selected were Cylindrotheca closterium, Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Navicula sp. Previous experiments were designed to determine the influence of the sediment particle size distribution on growth of the species assayed. Percentage of silt-sized sediment affect to growth of the selected species in the experimental conditions: the higher percentage of silt-sized sediment, the lower growth. In any case, percentages of silt-sized sediment less than 10% did not affect growth. In general, C. closterium seems to be slightly more sensitive to the selected sediments than the other two species. Two groups of sediment samples were determined as a function of the general response of the exposed microalgal populations: three of the six samples used were more toxic than the other three. Chemical analysis of the samples was carried out in order to determine the specific cause of differences in toxicity. After a statistical analysis, concentrations of Sn, Zn, Hg, Cu and Cr (among all physico-chemical analyzed parameters), in order of importance, were the most important factors that divided the two groups of samples (more and less toxic samples). Benthic diatoms seem to be sensitive organisms in sediment toxicity tests. Toxicity data from bioassays involving microphytobentos should be taken into account when environmental risks are calculated.

Post-mortem quetiapine concentrations in hair segments of psychiatric patients - Correlation between hair concentration, dose and concentration in blood.

PubMed

Günther, Kamilla Nyborg; Johansen, Sys Stybe; Nielsen, Marie Katrine Klose; Wicktor, Petra; Banner, Jytte; Linnet, Kristian

2018-04-01

Drug analysis in hair is useful when seeking to establish drug intake over a period of months to years. Segmental hair analysis can also document whether psychiatric patients are receiving a stable intake of antipsychotics. This study describes segmental analysis of the antipsychotic drug quetiapine in post-mortem hair samples from long-term quetiapine users by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) analysis. The aim was to obtain more knowledge on quetiapine concentrations in hair and to relate the concentration in hair to the administered dose and the post-mortem concentration in femoral blood. We analyzed hair samples from 22 deceased quetiapine-treated individuals, who were divided into two groups: natural hair colour and dyed/bleached hair. Two to six 1cm long segments were analyzed per individual, depending on the length of the hair, with 6cm corresponding to the last six months before death. The average daily quetiapine dose and average concentration in hair for the last six months prior to death were examined for potential correlation. Estimated doses ranged from 45 to 1040mg quetiapine daily over the period, and the average concentration in hair ranged from 0.18 to 13ng/mg. A significant positive correlation was observed between estimated daily dosage of quetiapine and average concentration in hair for individuals with natural hair colour (p=0.00005), but statistical significance was not reached for individuals with dyed/bleached hair (p=0.31). The individual coefficient of variation (CV) of the quetiapine concentrations between segments ranged from 3 to 34% for individuals with natural hair colour and 22-62% for individuals with dyed/bleached hair. Dose-adjusted concentrations in hair were significantly lower in females with dyed/bleached hair than in individuals with natural hair colour. The quetiapine concentrations in post-mortem femoral blood and in the proximal hair segment, segment 1 (S1), representing the last month before death were also investigated for correlation. A significant positive correlation was observed between quetiapine concentrations in blood at the time of death and concentrations in S1 for individuals with natural hair colour (p=0.003) but not for individuals with dyed/bleached hair (p=0.31). The blood concentrations of quetiapine ranged from 0.006 to 1.9mg/kg, and the quetiapine concentrations in S1 ranged from 0.22 to 24ng/mg. The results of this study suggest a positive correlation of quetiapine between both concentrations in hair and doses, and between proximal hair (S1) and blood concentrations, when conditions such as hair treatments are taken into consideration. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Collection and storage of urine specimens for measurement of urolithiasis risk factors.

PubMed

Wu, Wenqi; Yang, Dong; Tiselius, Hans-Goran; Ou, Lili; Mai, Zanlin; Chen, Kang; Zhu, Hanliang; Xu, Shaohong; Zhao, Zhijian; Zeng, Guohua

2015-02-01

To evaluate how different methods for storage and preservation of urine samples affected the outcome of analysis of risk factors for stone formation. Spot urine samples were collected from 21 healthy volunteers. Each fresh urine sample was divided into ten 10-mL aliquots: 2 without preservative, 2 with thymol, 2 with toluene, 2 with hydrochloric acid (HCl), and 2 with sodium azide. One sample of each pair was stored at 4 °C and the other at room temperature. The concentrations of calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphate, urate, oxalate, citrate, and pH in each urine sample were analyzed immediately after collection (0 hour) and after 24 and 48 hours. There were no significant differences in calcium, oxalate, magnesium, phosphate, sodium, urate or pH (without acidification) between samples with different preservation methods (P >.05). Urinary citrate, however, was significantly lower in the urine collected with HCl than when other preservatives were used, both at room temperature and at 4 °C. Urine pH was significantly higher after 48 hours than after 24 hours, whether the samples were stored at room temperature or at 4 °C. Antibacterial preservatives (eg, thymol or toluene) can be recommended as preservatives for 24-hour urine collections. Ideally, the samples should be stored at 4 °C. When HCl is used as a preservative, it seems essential to neutralize the samples before analysis. This is particularly obvious with the chromatographic method used for analysis of citrate that was used in this study. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cannabis Effects on Driving Skills

PubMed Central

Hartman, Rebecca L.; Huestis, Marilyn A.

2013-01-01

BACKGROUND Cannabis is the most prevalent illicit drug identified in impaired drivers. The effects of cannabis on driving continue to be debated, making prosecution and legislation difficult. Historically, delays in sample collection, evaluating the inactive Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) metabolite 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC, and polydrug use have complicated epidemiologic evaluations of driver impairment after cannabis use. CONTENT We review and evaluate the current literature on cannabis’ effects on driving, highlighting the epidemiologic and experimental data. Epidemiologic data show that the risk of involvement in a motor vehicle accident (MVA) increases approximately 2-fold after cannabis smoking. The adjusted risk of driver culpability also increases substantially, particularly with increased blood THC concentrations. Studies that have used urine as the biological matrix have not shown an association between cannabis and crash risk. Experimental data show that drivers attempt to compensate by driving more slowly after smoking cannabis, but control deteriorates with increasing task complexity. Cannabis smoking increases lane weaving and impaired cognitive function. Critical-tracking tests, reaction times, divided-attention tasks, and lane-position variability all show cannabis-induced impairment. Despite purported tolerance in frequent smokers, complex tasks still show impairment. Combining cannabis with alcohol enhances impairment, especially lane weaving. SUMMARY Differences in study designs frequently account for inconsistencies in results between studies. Participant-selection bias and confounding factors attenuate ostensible cannabis effects, but the association with MVA often retains significance. Evidence suggests recent smoking and/or blood THC concentrations 2–5 ng/mL are associated with substantial driving impairment, particularly in occasional smokers. Future cannabis-and-driving research should emphasize challenging tasks, such as divided attention, and include occasional and chronic daily cannabis smokers. PMID:23220273

High-fat diet with stress impaired islets' insulin secretion by reducing plasma estradiol and pancreatic GLUT2 protein levels in rats' proestrus phase.

PubMed

Salimi, M; Zardooz, H; Khodagholi, F; Rostamkhani, F; Shaerzadeh, F

2016-10-01

This study was conducted to determine whether two estrus phases (proestrus and diestrus) in female rats may influence the metabolic response to a high-fat diet and/or stress, focusing on pancreatic insulin secretion and content. Animals were divided into high-fat and normal diet groups, then each group was subdivided into stress and non-stress groups, and finally, each one of these was divided into proestrus and diestrus subgroups. At the end of high-fat diet treatment, foot-shock stress was applied to the animals. Then, blood samples were taken to measure plasma factors. Finally, the pancreas was removed for determination of glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) protein levels and assessment of insulin content and secretion of the isolated islets. In the normal and high-fat diet groups, stress increased plasma corticosterone concentration in both phases. In both study phases, high-fat diet consumption decreased estradiol and increased leptin plasma levels. In the high-fat diet group in response to high glucose concentration, a reduction in insulin secretion was observed in the proestrus phase compared with the same phase in the normal diet group in the presence and absence of stress. Also, high-fat diet decreased the insulin content of islets in the proestrus phase compared with the normal diet. High-fat diet and/or stress caused a reduction in islet GLUT2 protein levels in both phases. In conclusion, it seems possible that high-fat diet alone or combined with foot-shock, predispose female rats to impaired insulin secretion, at least in part, by interfering with estradiol levels in the proestrus phase and decreasing pancreatic GLUT2 protein levels.

A link between central kynurenine metabolism and bone strength in rats with chronic kidney disease

PubMed Central

Pawlak, Krystyna; Oksztulska-Kolanek, Ewa; Domaniewski, Tomasz; Znorko, Beata; Karbowska, Malgorzata; Citkowska, Aleksandra; Rogalska, Joanna; Roszczenko, Alicja; Brzoska, Malgorzata M.; Pawlak, Dariusz

2017-01-01

Background Disturbances in mineral and bone metabolism represent one of the most complex complications of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Serotonin, a monoamine synthesized from tryptophan, may play a potential role in bone metabolism. Brain-derived serotonin exerts a positive effect on the bone structure by limiting bone resorption and enhancing bone formation. Tryptophan is the precursor not only to the serotonin but also and primarily to kynurenine metabolites. The ultimate aim of the present study was to determine the association between central kynurenine metabolism and biomechanical as well as geometrical properties of bone in the experimental model of the early stage of CKD. Methods Thirty-three Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups (sham-operated and subtotal nephrectomized animals). Three months after surgery, serum samples were obtained for the determination of biochemical parameters, bone turnover biomarkers, and kynurenine pathway metabolites; tibias were collected for bone biomechanical, bone geometrical, and bone mass density analysis; brains were removed and divided into five regions for the determination of kynurenine pathway metabolites. Results Subtotal nephrectomized rats presented higher serum concentrations of creatinine, urea nitrogen, and parathyroid hormone, and developed hypocalcemia. Several biomechanical and geometrical parameters were significantly elevated in rats with experimentally induced CKD. Subtotal nephrectomized rats presented significantly higher kynurenine concentrations and kynurenine/tryptophan ratio and significantly lower tryptophan levels in all studied parts of the brain. Kynurenine in the frontal cortex and tryptophan in the hypothalamus and striatum correlated positively with the main parameters of bone biomechanics and bone geometry. Discussion In addition to the complex mineral, hormone, and metabolite changes, intensified central kynurenine turnover may play an important role in the development of bone changes in the course of CKD. PMID:28439468

Effect of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on sperm quality of normozoospermic men.

PubMed

Safari, Hassan; Khanlarkhani, Neda; Sobhani, Aligholi; Najafi, Atefeh; Amidi, Fardin

2017-07-05

The neurotrophin family of proteins and their receptors act as important proliferative and pro-survival factors in differentiation of nerve cells and are thought to play key roles in the development of reproductive tissues and normal function of spermatozoa. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) on the sperm viability and motility, lipid peroxidation (LPO), mitochondrial activity and concentration of leptin, nitric oxide (NO) and insulin in normozoospermic men. Semen samples from 20 normozoospermic men were divided into three groups: (i) control, (ii) BDNF and (iii) BDNF + K252a. BDNF and K252a were added in the dose of 0.133 and 0.1 nM, respectively. Viability was assessed by eosin-nigrosin staining technique, and motility was observed by microscopy. NO concentration and mitochondrial activity were measured with flow cytometry, and LPO was analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Results showed that exogenous BDNF at 0.133 nM could significantly (p < 0.05) influence viability, motility, NO concentration, mitochondrial activity and LPO content. Secretions of insulin and leptin by human sperm were increased in cells exposed to the exogenous BDNF, whereas viability, mitochondrial activity and insulin and leptin secretions were decreased in cells exposed to the K252.

Occupational exposure to coal tar pitch volatiles, benzo/a/pyrene and dust in tyre production.

PubMed

Rogaczewska, T; Ligocka, D

1994-01-01

Occupational exposure to coal tar pitch volatiles (CTPVs), benzo/a/pyrene (BaP) and dust was evaluated by means of individual measurements carried out in 80 workers and by stationary measurements on 16 work-posts in two divisions of the tyre producing plant. Dust and coal tar pitch volatiles concentrations in the air were determinated by the gravimetric method, measured, in the case of CPTVs, benzene-soluble fraction (BSF) with ultrasonic extraction. Benzo/a/pyrene analysis was performed using high performance liquid chromato-graphy (HPLC) with a spectrofluorimetric detector. It was found that nearly all personal sampling results for BaP were within the range < 4 divided by 142 ng/m3, except for the exposure of workers employed at weighing the raw materials (3,470-6,060 ng/m3) in the Semiproducts Division. Attention should be paid to the recorded CTPVs concentrations (benzene solubles). About 56% of the Vulcanizing Division workers and about 90% of the Semiproducts Division workers were exposed to these substances at concentrations of over 0.2 mg/m3 (hygienic standard for benzene solubles in USA). Exposure to dust (of high respirable fraction percentage > 90%) which exceeded the admissible value (4 mg/m3) was found mainly only in the workers of the Semiproducts Division at some work-posts.

[Influence of raising oxygen content on function of platelet concentrate during preservation].

PubMed

Zhan, Tong; Xiao, Jian-Yu; Tao, Jing; Miao, Xi-Feng; Liu, Yan-Cun; Tang, Rong-Cai

2006-08-01

To explore the influence of raising oxygen (dissolved oxygen) content on function of platelet concentrate, the platelet concentrate was prepared by a CS-3000 plus blood cell separator. Experiments were divided into 2 groups: test group and control group. After raising oxygen content in platelet plasma under sterile operation, the platelet samples of two groups were preserved in oscillator with horizontal oscillation at 22 +/- 2 degrees C. The platelet count, platelet aggregation rate, lactic acid content and CD62p expression level of platelet were detected on 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 days of platelet preservation. The results showed that the platelet count and platelet aggregation rate decreased with prolongation of preserved time, while the lactic acid content and CD62p expression level of platelet increased gradually. Compared with control group, there were significant differences in aggregation rate of platelet preserved for 2-3 days, and in CD62p expression level of platelet preserved for 1-3 days, while significant difference was found in lactic acid content of platelet preserved for 1-3 days. It is concluded that raising content of oxygen in platelet plasma can provide more oxygen to compensate oxygen supply deficiency for platelet metabolism and improve the efficiency of platelet oxygenic metabolism and the quality of platelet during preservation.

Effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy combined with autologous platelet concentrate applied in rabbit fibula fraction healing

PubMed Central

Neves, Paulo César Fagundes; de Campos Vieira Abib, Simone; Neves, Rogério Fagundes; Pircchio, Oronzo; Saad, Karen Ruggeri; Saad, Paulo Fernandes; Simões, Ricardo Santos; Moreira, Marcia Bento; de Souza Laurino, Cristiano Frota

2013-01-01

OBJECTIVES: The purpose is to study the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and autologous platelet concentrates in healing the fibula bone of rabbits after induced fractures. METHODS: A total of 128 male New Zealand albino rabbits, between 6–8 months old, were subjected to a total osteotomy of the proximal portion of the right fibula. After surgery, the animals were divided into four groups (n = 32 each): control group, in which animals were subjected to osteotomy; autologous platelet concentrate group, in which animals were subjected to osteotomy and autologous platelet concentrate applied at the fracture site; hyperbaric oxygen group, in which animals were subjected to osteotomy and 9 consecutive daily hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions; and autologous platelet concentrate and hyperbaric oxygen group, in which animals were subjected to osteotomy, autologous platelet concentrate applied at the fracture site, and 9 consecutive daily hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions. Each group was divided into 4 subgroups according to a pre-determined euthanasia time points: 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks postoperative. After euthanasia at a specific time point, the fibula containing the osseous callus was prepared histologically and stained with hematoxylin and eosin or picrosirius red. RESULTS: Autologous platelet concentrates and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, applied together or separately, increased the rate of bone healing compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and autologous platelet concentrate combined increased the rate of bone healing in this experimental model. PMID:24141841

The relationship between the plasma concentration of blonanserin, and its plasma anti-serotonin 5-HT(2A) activity/anti-dopamine D₂ activity ratio and drug-induced extrapyramidal symptoms.

PubMed

Suzuki, Hidenobu; Gen, Keishi

2012-03-01

 Blonanserin is a second-generation antipsychotic that was developed in Japan. We investigated the relationships between plasma concentration, the plasma anti-5-HT(2A) activity/anti-D₂ activity (S/D) ratio and extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) in blonanserin dosing.  The subjects were 29 outpatients with schizophrenia. We assessed EPS using the Drug-Induced Extrapyramidal Symptoms Scale (DIEPSS). The plasma concentrations were measured by high performance liquid chromatography, and the plasma anti-D₂ and anti-5-HT(2A) activities were measured by [³H]-spiperone and [³H]-ketanserin radioreceptor assays. The results revealed that there were significant correlations between both the plasma concentration and the DIEPSS total score (P<0.05). A negative correlative tendency was found between the S/D ratio and the DIEPSS total score. Furthermore, the plasma concentrations were divided into a low plasma concentration group and a high plasma concentration group, and the S/D ratios were divided into a low S/D ratio group and a high S/D ratio group. We then compared each group based on the DIEPSS total scores. The score in the high plasma concentration-low S/D ratio group was significantly higher than in the high plasma concentration-high S/D ratio, low plasma concentration-high S/D ratio and low plasma concentration-low S/D ratio groups (P<0.05 for all).  These findings indicate that the incidence of EPS during treatment with blonanserin is mainly determined by plasma concentration, but the incidence of EPS may be inhibited when anti-5HT(2A) activity is predominant over anti-D₂ activity. © 2012 The Authors. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences © 2012 Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Interactive effects of protein and carbohydrates on production of microbial metabolites in the large intestine of growing pigs.

PubMed

Taciak, Marcin; Barszcz, Marcin; Święch, Ewa; Tuśnio, Anna; Bachanek, Ilona

2017-06-01

The study aimed at determining the effect of protein type and indigestible carbohydrates on the concentration of microbial metabolites in the large intestine of pigs. The experiment involved 36 pigs (15 kg initial body weight) divided into six groups, fed cereal-based diets with highly digestible casein (CAS) or potato protein concentrate (PPC) of lower ileal digestibility. Each diet was supplemented with cellulose, raw potato starch or pectin. After 2 weeks of feeding, pigs were sacrificed and samples of caecal and ascending, transverse and descending colon digesta were collected for analyses of microbial metabolites. PPC increased the concentration of ammonia, p-cresol, indole, n-butyrate, isovalerate and most of the amines in comparison with CAS. Pectin reduced the production of p-cresol, indole, phenylethylamine and isovalerate in the large intestine compared with potato starch. Starch and pectin increased mainly the concentration of n-butyrate and n-valerate in the colon compared to cellulose. Interaction affected mainly amines. Feeding PPC diet with potato starch considerably increased putrescine, cadaverine, tyramine and total amines concentrations compared with PPC diets with pectin and cellulose, whereas feeding CAS diet with starch reduced their concentrations. There was also a significant effect of interaction between diet and intestinal segment on microbial metabolites. In conclusion, PPC intensifies proteolysis in the large intestine and also n-butyrate production. Raw starch and pectin similarly increase n-butyrate concentration but pectin inhibits proteolysis more efficiently than starch. The interactive effects of both factors indicate that pectin and cellulose may beneficially affect fermentative processes in case of greater protein flow to the large intestine.

Determination of lead and cadmium concentration limits in agricultural soil and municipal solid waste compost through an approach of zero tolerance to food contamination.

PubMed

Saha, Jayanta Kumar; Panwar, N R; Singh, M V

2010-09-01

Cadmium and lead are important environmental pollutants with high toxicity to animals and human. Soils, though have considerable metal immobilizing capability, can contaminate food chain via plants grown upon them when their built-up occurs to a large extent. Present experiment was carried out with the objective of quantifying the limits of Pb and Cd loading in soil for the purpose of preventing food chain contamination beyond background concentration levels. Two separate sets of pot experiment were carried out for these two heavy metals with graded levels of application doses of Pb at 0.4-150 mg/kg and Cd at 0.02-20 mg/kg to an acidic light textured alluvial soil. Spinach crop was grown for 50 days on these treated soils after a stabilization period of 2 months. Upper limit of background concentration levels (C(ul)) of these metals were calculated through statistical approach from the heavy metals concentration values in leaves of spinach crop grown in farmers' fields. Lead and Cd concentration limits in soil were calculated by dividing C(ul) with uptake response slope obtained from the pot experiment. Cumulative loading limits (concentration limits in soil minus contents in uncontaminated soil) for the experimental soil were estimated to be 170 kg Pb/ha and 0.8 kg Cd/ha. Based on certain assumptions on application rate and computed cumulative loading limit values, maximum permissible Pb and Cd concentration values in municipal solid waste (MSW) compost were proposed as 170 mg Pb/kg and 0.8 mg Cd/kg, respectively. In view of these limiting values, about 56% and 47% of the MSW compost samples from different cities are found to contain Pb and Cd in the safe range.

Homocysteine induces oxidative stress to damage trabecular meshwork cells.

PubMed

You, Zhi-Peng; Zhang, Yue-Zhi; Zhang, Yu-Lan; Shi, Lu; Shi, Ke

2018-05-01

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of homocysteine (Hcy) in on human trabecular meshwork cells (HTMCs). A total of 41 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and 53 patients with senile cataracts (control group) were recruited. Plasma and aqueous humor samples were collected and the Hcy concentrations were determined using enzymatic cycling assays. In cell experiments, normal HTMCs were passaged and randomly divided into a blank control group, a normal HTMC group and experimental groups, which were treated with different concentrations of Hcy. The HTMC activities were detected using the Cell Counting Kit-8 method and the HTMC mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was detected using JC-1 staining. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) released by trabecular meshwork cells was detected using flow cytometry and superoxide dismjutase-1 (SOD1) expression was detected using immunoblotting. The results revealed that the concentration of Hcy in the plasma and aqueous humor of the POAG group (14.44±0.86 and 1.60±0.27 µmol/l, respectively) was significantly higher compared with the control group (10.82±0.29 and 0.69±0.39 µmol/l). All tested concentrations (30, 100, 300 and 1,000 µmol/l) of Hcy reduced the MMP in HTMCs and inhibited HTMC proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. ROS production by HTMCs significantly increased with increased concentrations of Hcy, whereas SOD1 expression significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner. In summary, patients with POAG were demonstrated to have increased concentrations of Hcy in the plasma and aqueous humor. High concentrations of Hcy in HTMCs induced an oxidative stress state, thereby further inhibiting HTMC proliferation. The results of the present study demonstrate that Hcy may be a potential treatment target in patients with POAG.

Factors affecting the behavior of unburned carbon upon steam activation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Zhe

The main objective of this study is to investigate the factors that could affect the behavior of unburned carbon samples upon steam activation. Through this work, the relationships among the factors that could influence the carbon-steam reaction with the surface area of the produced activated carbon were explored. Statistical analysis was used to relate the chemical and physical properties of the unburned carbon to the surface area of the activated carbon. Six unburned carbons were selected as feedstocks for activated carbon, and marked as UCA through UCF. The unburned carbons were activated using steam at 850°C for 90 minutes, and the surface areas of their activated counterparts were measured using N2 adsorption isotherms at 77K. The activated carbons produced from different unburned carbon precursors presented different surface areas at similar carbon burn-off levels. Moreover, in different carbon burn-off regions, the sequences for surface area of activated carbons from different unburned carbon samples were different. The factors that may affect the carbon-steam gasification reactions, including the concentration of carbon active sites, the crystallite size of the carbon, the intrinsic porous structure of carbon, and the inorganic impurities, were investigated. All unburned carbons investigated in this study were similar in that they showed the very broad (002) and (10 ) carbon peaks, which are characteristic of highly disordered carbonaceous materials. In this study, the unburned carbon samples contained about 17--48% of inorganic impurities. Compared to coals, the unburned carbon samples contain a larger amount of inorganic impurities as a result of the burn-off, or at lease part, of the carbon during the combustion process. These inorganic particles were divided into two groups in terms of the way they are associated with carbon particles: free single particles, and particles combined with carbon particles. As indicated from the present work, unburned carbons with one of the following properties will produce activated carbons with high surface areas. These properties include: (a) large amount of O2 chemisorption capacity; (b) high concentration of surface C-O complex; and (c) small crystallite diameter; (d) high concentration of Na+K particles that are combined with carbon; (e) high concentration of isotropic carbon. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Concentrations of chlorinated organic compounds in biota and bed sediment in streams of the San Joaquin Valley, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Brown, L.R.

1997-01-01

Samples of resident biota and bed sediments were collected in 1992 from 18 sites on or near the floor of the San Joaquin Valley, California, for analysis of 33 organochlorine compounds. The sites were divided into five groups on the basis of physiographic region and land use. Ten compounds were detected in tissue, and 15 compounds were detected in bed sediment. The most frequently detected compound in both media was p,p'-DDE. Concentrations of ??DDT (sum of o,p'- and p, p' forms of DDD, DDE, and DDT) were statistically different among groups of sites for both tissue and sediment (Kruskal- Wallis, p < 0.05). Concentrations in both media were highest in streams draining the west side of the valley. Concentrations of ??DDT in tissue were significantly correlated with specific conductance, pH, and total alkalinity (p < 0.05), which are indicators of the proportion of irrigation return flows in stream discharge. Concentrations in sediment on a dry-weight basis were not correlated with these water-quality parameters, but total organic carbon (TOC) normalized concentrations were significantly correlated with specific conductance and pH (p < 0.05). Regressions of the concentration of ??DDT in tissue, as a function of ??DDT in bed sediment, were significant and explained up to 76% of the variance in the data. The concentration of ??DDT in sediment may be related to mechanisms of soil transport to surface water with bioavailability of compounds related to the concentration of TOC in sediment. The results of this study did not indicate any clear advantage to using either bed sediment or tissues in studies of organochlorine chemicals in the environment. Some guidelines for protection of fish and wildlife were exceeded. Concentrations of organochlorine chemicals in biota, and perhaps sediment, have declined from concentrations measured in the 1970s and 1980s, but remain high compared to other regions of the United States.

Water- and air-quality monitoring of the Sweetwater Reservoir Watershed, San Diego County, California - Phase One results, continued, 2001-2003

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mendez, Gregory O.; Foreman, William T.; Morita, Andrew; Majewski, Michael S.

2008-01-01

In 1998, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Sweetwater Authority, began a study to monitor water, air, and sediment at the Sweetwater and Loveland Reservoirs in San Diego County, California. The study includes regular sampling of water and air at Sweetwater Reservoir for chemical constituents, including volatile organic compounds (VOC), polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), pesticides, and major and trace elements. The purpose of this study is to monitor changes in contaminant composition and concentration during the construction and operation of State Route 125. To accomplish this, the study was divided into two phases. Phase One sampling (water years 1998–2004) determined baseline conditions for the detection frequency and the concentrations of target compounds in air and water. Phase Two sampling (starting water year 2005) continues at selected monitoring sites during and after construction of State Route 125 to assess the chemical impact this roadway alignment may have on water quality in the reservoir. Water samples were collected for VOCs and pesticides at Loveland Reservoir during Phase One and will be collected during Phase Two for comparison purposes. Air samples collected to monitor changes in VOCs, PAHs, and pesticides were analyzed by adapting methods used to analyze water samples. Bed-sediment samples have been and will be collected three times during the study; at the beginning of Phase One, at the start of Phase Two, and near the end of the study. In addition to the ongoing data collection, several special studies were initiated to assess the occurrence of specific chemicals of concern, such as trace metals, anthropogenic indicator compounds, and pharmaceuticals. This report describes the study design, and the sampling and analytical methods, and presents data from water and air samples collected during the fourth and fifth years of Phase One of the study (October 2001 to September 2003). Data collected during the first three years has been previously published. Three types of quality-control samples were used in this study: blanks, spikes, and replicates. Blanks and spikes are used to estimate result bias, and replicates are used to estimate result variability. Additionally, surrogate compounds were added at the laboratory to samples of VOCs, PAHs, pesticides, anthropogenic indicator compounds, and pharmaceuticals to monitor sample-specific performance of the analytical method.

40 CFR 92.130 - Determination of steady-state concentrations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... concentration measurement, measured after 300 seconds (or 840 seconds for notch 8) of testing shall be used... seconds (or 840 seconds for notch 8) of testing shall be used. The provisions of paragraphs (b) through (f... seconds (or 900 seconds for notch 8) of measurement, and dividing the area by 360 seconds (or 900 seconds...

40 CFR 92.130 - Determination of steady-state concentrations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... concentration measurement, measured after 300 seconds (or 840 seconds for notch 8) of testing shall be used... seconds (or 840 seconds for notch 8) of testing shall be used. The provisions of paragraphs (b) through (f... seconds (or 900 seconds for notch 8) of measurement, and dividing the area by 360 seconds (or 900 seconds...

Bio-optical properties of Porsnagerfjorden (Norway) waters based on data collected in 2014 and 2015

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Białogrodzka, Jagoda; Stramska, Małgorzata; Burska, Dorota; Ficek, Dariusz; Stoń-Egiert, Joanna; Winogradow, Aleksandra

2016-04-01

Oceanographic data collected in the Arctic are valuable in view of the role of this region in the studies on global climate change and the fact that historically the number of in situ measurements is relatively low. Porsangerfjorden, Norway, is an example of oceanic basin with case 2 water according to the optical classification. Optical data from coastal seas are difficult in interpretation because the concentrations of optically important components can be high, variable, and not covarying with each other. Porsanger Fjord can be divided into three basins: inner, middle and outer, where physical and bio-optical properties of water masses differ. We collected optical data and water samples for phytoplankton pigments, dissolved organic matter, particulate (POC) and dissolved (DOC) organic carbon, and particulate inorganic carbon (PIC) during our two summer expeditions in 2014 and 2015. In this presentation we focus on data collected with WETLabs' ac-9 and ac-s spectrophotometers and ECO-Triplet and ECO-Triplet-w fluorometers. Concurrently with in situ optical measurements water samples were collected in situ and soon afterwards they were filtered in the laboratory at the station, stored and transported for further processing in Poland. Our analysis includes 146 of in situ measurements and discrete water samples: 62 of POC, 52 of PIC, 33 of DOC, 68 of dissolved organic matter and 89 of phytoplankton pigments. During our analysis we compare chlorophyll (Chl_a), dissolved organic matter (CDOM) and carbon concentrations with in situ collected inherent optical properties of sea water to find empirical proxies allowing to estimate various water component concentrations from optical data. Application of these proxies to available bio-optical data allowed us to derive spatial distribution of these water constituents and their variability. This work was funded by the Norway Grants (NCBR contract No. 201985, project NORDFLUX).

137Cs Results and Interpretation of Cesium Soil Data on the Upper Fortymile Wash Alluvial Fan, Amargosa Valley, Nevada.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harrington, C.

2004-12-01

Studies using 137Cs were used to produce soil Cs profiles and to use them to determine erosion rates on interchannel divides of the Fortymile Wash alluvial fan over the last 50 years. Sample locations whose 137Cs profiles most resemble the reference-sample (stable surface) profiles are located on interchannel divide areas between distributary channels. These profiles are similar to the reference profiles that have low 137Cs values (in the range of 0.02 to 0.08 pCi/g) in the 3 to 6 cm layers. However, the surface layers (1-3 cm depth) typically have values much less than the reference samples from equivalent depths (range from 0.251 to 0.421 pCi/g). The data indicate that many of these interchannel divide areas have had part of the upper layer removed. Interchannel divide areas have the least likelihood of having been submerged during floods over the last fifty years. Thus, the loss of material from these otherwise stable surfaces appears to be due to eolian processes. Erosion of an interchannel divide area with little evidence of recent water movement is most easily explained by eolian removal. Evidence for wind erosion as the predominant process on the interchannel divide areas includes the lack of new or developing stream channels and the presence of modern coppice dunes near channels on interchannel divides. The presence of nearby Big Dune and other eolian deposits provides strong support for eolian erosion and transport. The amount of material removed from the interchannel divide areas was estimated by comparing the 137Cs value of the upper 3 cm layer to that of the reference value and calculating the thickness of the layer that would have to be removed to obtain the lower value. Applying this method across the interchannel divide sample locations indicates 1 to 2 cm of material has been removed from the interchannel divide surfaces in the last 50 years. This results in erosion rates that range from 0.02 to 0.04 cm/yr. These rates are similar to erosion rates of: (a) 0.019 cm/yr predicted to occur on farmland in Amargosa Valley (obtained from BSC 2004 [DIRS 169459], Section 6.4.2 by converting 0.19 kg/m2-yr using ash bulk density of 1 g/cm3; (b) 0.02 cm/yr estimated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to have occurred on non-cultivated cropland and pastureland in Nevada (obtained from USDA 2000 [160548], Table 11 and calculated using 1 ton/acre-yr x 907 kg/ton x 2.47 x 10-4 acre/m x 0.001 m3/kg [bulk density] x 100 cm/m = 0.02 cm/yr). Overbank deposits on the interchannel divide areas indicative of periodic flooding are uncommon and restricted to narrow strips along the channel banks. The overbank and channel deposit samples have similar 137Cs signatures (the 3 to 6 cm layers and the 6 to 9 cm layers have nearly the same values in the 0.100-0.200 pCi/g range), indicating that the material from each environ was mixed during transport and deposited as a homogeneous sediment. The absence of many overbank deposits along the channel margins today indicates that flows sufficient to form extensive overbank flooding down Fortymile Wash and its distributary channels have not occurred in more than 50 years. Therefore, the channels currently transport most of their sediment load across the fan until it reaches the toe of the fan, where deposition occurs on the broad flats to the south or into the channel of the Amargosa River.

Is platelet function as measured by Thrombelastograph monitoring in whole blood affected by platelet inhibitors?

PubMed

Bailey, Lori A; Sistino, Joseph J; Uber, Walter E

2005-03-01

Platelet inhibitors, especially the glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists, have demonstrated their effectiveness in reducing the acute ischemic complications of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and in improving clinical outcomes in patients with acute coronary crisis. Three common platelet inhibitors observed in emergent cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for failed PCI are abciximab, eptifibatide, and tirofiban. An in vitro model was constructed in two parts to determine whether platelet aggregation inhibition induced by platelet inhibitors would be demonstrated by the Thrombelastograph (TEG) monitor when compared with baseline samples with no platelet inhibitor. In part A, 20 mL of fresh whole blood was divided into four groups: group I = baseline, group A = abcix-imab microg/mL, group E = eptifibatide ng/mL, and group T = tirofiban ng/mL. Platelet inhibitor concentrations in whole blood were derived starting with reported serum concentrations with escalation to achieve 80% platelet inhibition using the Medtronic hemoSTATUS and/or Lumi-aggregometer. A concentration range determined by our in vitro tests were chosen for each drug using concentrations achieving less than, equal to, or greater than 80% platelet inhibition. In part B, TEG analysis was then performed using baseline and concentrations for each drug derived in part A. Parameters measured were clot formation reaction time (R), coagulation time (K), maximum amplitude (MA) and alpha angle (A). Groups E1000 and E2000 extended R over control by 37% and 23%, respectively (p = 0.01 and 0.03). Groups E1000 and E2000 increased K times by 45% and 58% (p = .02 and .04). T160 samples prolonged K by 20% (p = 0.01). The angle or clot strength (A) was decreased in groups T160 and E1000 by 23% (+ 7.06 SD) and 18% (+ 11.23 SD), respectively (p = 0.001 and 0.01). The MA decrease was statistically significant in the T160, E1000 and E2000 by 9%, 6% and 13% respectively (p = 0.01). Samples treated with abciximab were comparable to control values for all parameters measured. Although statistical significance could be demonstrated with some parameters, sensitivity was only observed at increased doses and was not seen with all agents tested. In our in vitro model, the TEG monitor was unable to demonstrate clinically significant differences in platelet function and may not be reflective of platelet function in samples which have been treated with these GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors.

The influence of altitude and landforms on some biochemical and hematological parameters in Ouled Djellal ewes from arid area of South East Algeria.

PubMed

Titaouine, Mohammed; Meziane, Toufik

2015-01-01

This study was conducted on Ouled Djellal ewes in arid area of south-east Algeria in order to reveal the influence of altitude and landforms on some hematological and biochemical parameters. A total of 160 ewes having 3-5 years of age, multiparous, non-pregnant, non-lactating and reared in arid areas of South East Algeria were included. Blood samples were divided according to factors of altitude and landform (plain region at 150 m above sea level, tableland region at 600 m above sea level and mountain region at 1000 m above sea level). The whole blood was analyzed for hematology, and plasma samples for biochemical analysis. The study found lowest glucose concentrations were detected in tableland region at 600 m. In plain region at 150 m, ewes had a higher (p<0.01) concentration of cholesterol and triglyceride. Furthermore, a higher concentration of total proteins (p<0.01) and urea (p<0.05) were detected in plain region at 150 m. The average blood creatinine concentration in mountain ewes at 1000 m and tableland ewes at 600 m were higher (p<0.05) that in plain ewes at 150 m. The highest calcium concentration was found at the altitude of 150 m and the lowest at the altitude of 1000 m (1.12±0.35 mmol/L vs. 0.52±0.03 mmol/L). Phosphorus levels were higher at altitudes of 150 m than at the altitude of 600 m and 1000 m (0.93±0.42 mmol/L vs. 0.68±0.54 mmol/L, 0.23±0.01 mmol/L). The highest hemoglobin concentration and value of hematocrit were detected in mountain ewes at the altitude of 1000 m (120.61 g/L, 40%) and the lowest at the altitude of 150 m (73.2 g/L, 31%) (p<0.001). We concluded that hematological and biochemical parameters in Ouled Djellel ewes reared in arid area may be affected by altitude and landforms.

Wi-Fi (2.45 GHz)- and mobile phone (900 and 1800 MHz)-induced risks on oxidative stress and elements in kidney and testis of rats during pregnancy and the development of offspring.

PubMed

Özorak, Alper; Nazıroğlu, Mustafa; Çelik, Ömer; Yüksel, Murat; Özçelik, Derviş; Özkaya, Mehmet Okan; Çetin, Hasan; Kahya, Mehmet Cemal; Kose, Seyit Ali

2013-12-01

The present study was designed to determine the effects of both Wi-Fi (2.45 GHz)- and mobile phone (900 and 1800 MHz)-induced electromagnetic radiation (EMR) on oxidative stress and trace element levels in the kidney and testis of growing rats from pregnancy to 6 weeks of age. Thirty-two rats and their 96 newborn offspring were equally divided into four different groups, namely, control, 2.45 GHz, 900 MHz, and 1800 MHz groups. The 2.45 GHz, 900 MHz, and 1,800 MHz groups were exposed to EMR for 60 min/day during pregnancy and growth. During the fourth, fifth, and sixth weeks of the experiment, kidney and testis samples were taken from decapitated rats. Results from the fourth week showed that the level of lipid peroxidation in the kidney and testis and the copper, zinc, reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and total antioxidant status (TAS) values in the kidney decreased in the EMR groups, while iron concentrations in the kidney as well as vitamin A and vitamin E concentrations in the testis increased in the EMR groups. Results for fifth-week samples showed that iron, vitamin A, and β-carotene concentrations in the kidney increased in the EMR groups, while the GSH and TAS levels decreased. The sixth week results showed that iron concentrations in the kidney and the extent of lipid peroxidation in the kidney and testis increased in the EMR groups, while copper, TAS, and GSH concentrations decreased. There were no statistically significant differences in kidney chromium, magnesium, and manganese concentrations among the four groups. In conclusion, Wi-Fi- and mobile phone-induced EMR caused oxidative damage by increasing the extent of lipid peroxidation and the iron level, while decreasing total antioxidant status, copper, and GSH values. Wi-Fi- and mobile phone-induced EMR may cause precocious puberty and oxidative kidney and testis injury in growing rats.

Microbial Community of High Arsenic Groundwater in Agricultural Irrigation Area of Hetao Plain, Inner Mongolia

PubMed Central

Wang, Yanhong; Li, Ping; Jiang, Zhou; Sinkkonen, Aki; Wang, Shi; Tu, Jin; Wei, Dazhun; Dong, Hailiang; Wang, Yanxin

2016-01-01

Microbial communities can play important role in arsenic release in groundwater aquifers. To investigate the microbial communities in high arsenic groundwater aquifers in agricultural irrigation area, 17 groundwater samples with different arsenic concentrations were collected along the agricultural drainage channels of Hangjinhouqi County, Inner Mongolia and examined by illumina MiSeq sequencing approach targeting the V4 region of the 16S rRNA genes. Both principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering results indicated that these samples were divided into two groups (high and low arsenic groups) according to the variation of geochemical characteristics. Arsenic concentrations showed strongly positive correlations with NH4+ and total organic carbon (TOC). Sequencing results revealed that a total of 329–2823 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were observed at the 97% OTU level. Microbial richness and diversity of high arsenic groundwater samples along the drainage channels were lower than those of low arsenic groundwater samples but higher than those of high arsenic groundwaters from strongly reducing areas. The microbial community structure in groundwater along the drainage channels was different from those in strongly reducing arsenic-rich aquifers of Hetao Plain and other high arsenic groundwater aquifers including Bangladesh, West Bengal, and Vietnam. Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas dominated with high percentages in both high and low arsenic groundwaters. Alishewanella, Psychrobacter, Methylotenera, and Crenothrix showed relatively high abundances in high arsenic groundwater, while Rheinheimera and the unidentified OP3 were predominant populations in low arsenic groundwater. Archaeal populations displayed a low occurrence and mainly dominated by methanogens such as Methanocorpusculum and Methanospirillum. Microbial community compositions were different between high and low arsenic groundwater samples based on the results of principal coordinate analysis and co-inertia analysis. Other geochemical variables including TOC, NH4+, oxidation-reduction potential, and Fe might also affect the microbial composition. PMID:27999565

Comparison between the amino acid, fatty acid, mineral and nutritional quality of raw, germinated and fermented African locust bean (Parkia biglobosa) flour.

PubMed

Ijarotimi, Oluwole Steve; Keshinro, Oluremi Olufunke

2012-04-02

The most popular form of utilization of African locust bean (ALB) is in its traditional fermentation food condiment (iru/dawadawa), which adds protein to a protein-poor diet and also as medicine. In view of the nutritive values of ALB, the present study therefore aimed at investigating the effect of germination and fermentation on the nutritional quality of ALB flour. The ALB was obtained from a local market in Akure, Nigeria. The seeds were divided into three portions, and treated as raw African locust bean (RALB), germinated African locust bean (GALB) and fermented African locust bean (FALB) respectively. Each of the samples was milled, sieved and analysed for chemical, functional properties and nutritional qualities using standard methods. Some most important results of the chemical analysis were as follows: protein content range between 33.64 ±0.41 - 41.49 ±1.89 g/100 g, while the energy value was between 442.79 ±2.32 - 457.20 ±2.15 kcal. The P/Ca and Na/K ratio of the RALB were higher than other fl our samples respectively. Total essential amino acid was between 29.960-27.514 mg/100 g. Protein efficiency ratio (PER) was between 1.78-1.87; essential amino acid index 31.43-34.75%; while biological values were 22.56-26.18%. The dominant fatty acid (FA) composition of the samples was linoleic with 33.687%, 31.578% and 28.7% for RALB, GALB and FALB respectively; while the least was lauric acid. The polyunsaturated/saturated FA ratio ranges between 0.589-0.718. The antinutrient concentration of fermented flour sample was significantly reduced than other food samples. The present study investigated the effect of germination and fermentation on the nutritional quality of ALB flour. The finding showed that fermentation technique significantly reduced antinutrient concentration and also improved the nutrient composition, particularly amino acid profile of ALB flour.

Effects of heavy metal pollution on foraminifers in the Marmara Sea (Balıkesir-Canakkale-Tekirdag, Turkey)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Unal Yumun, Zeki

2017-04-01

ABSTRACT This study aims to investigate the effects of heavy metal pollution on Holocene foraminiferal assemblages in the sediments of Marmara Sea (Balikesir-Canakkale-Tekirdag, Turkey). For this purpose four drilling samples, one from Bandirma (Balikesir/Turkey), two from Erdek Bay (Erdek-Bandirma/Turkey) and one from Tekirdag (Turkey) have been taken. Additionally core samples taken from 43 different locations in the Western Marmara Sea also have been examined. Foraminiferal assemblages were identified and changes in heavy metal concentrations were determined (spatially) in the vertical direction by means of drilling samples; in the vertical direction for geochronology and in the horizontal direction by the areal distribution of the core samples. In this research an average value defined as Pollution Index (PI) was used for the first time in order to summarize the results of geochemical analyses. Within the scope of this method, the pollution index value is obtained by dividing the sum of average value ratios of heavy metal measurement values by the number of measurements. It was observed that the number of individuals and species decreased where the heavy metal measured values (MV) were higher than the pollution index and increased where the heavy metal values were lower than the pollution index when obtained index value was correlated separately with the numbers of foraminifer individuals and species. It was also observed that foraminifera were completely absent in some locations where PI was less than MV. Morphological changes were observed in three foraminifer species, Elphidium crispum, Massilina secans, and Ammonia compacta, in the core samples taken in areas where industrial wastes are discharged into the southern parts of the Marmara Sea. At some locations, between Misakca-Denizkent, and Erdek-Balikesir, Turkey, where the heavy metal density was high it haven't been any foraminifer species were achieved. The pollution index (PI) value measured in this area was higher than the critical value, indicating that heavy metal concentrations affect the habitats of foraminifera.

X-ray versus infrared selection of distant galaxy clusters: A case study using the XMM-LSS and SpARCS cluster samples

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Willis, J. P.; Ramos-Ceja, M. E.; Muzzin, A.; Pacaud, F.; Yee, H. K. C.; Wilson, G.

2018-04-01

We present a comparison of two samples of z > 0.8 galaxy clusters selected using different wavelength-dependent techniques and examine the physical differences between them. We consider 18 clusters from the X-ray selected XMM-LSS distant cluster survey and 92 clusters from the optical-MIR selected SpARCS cluster survey. Both samples are selected from the same approximately 9 square degree sky area and we examine them using common XMM-Newton, Spitzer-SWIRE and CFHT Legacy Survey data. Clusters from each sample are compared employing aperture measures of X-ray and MIR emission. We divide the SpARCS distant cluster sample into three sub-samples: a) X-ray bright, b) X-ray faint, MIR bright, and c) X-ray faint, MIR faint clusters. We determine that X-ray and MIR selected clusters display very similar surface brightness distributions of galaxy MIR light. In addition, the average location and amplitude of the galaxy red sequence as measured from stacked colour histograms is very similar in the X-ray and MIR-selected samples. The sub-sample of X-ray faint, MIR bright clusters displays a distribution of BCG-barycentre position offsets which extends to higher values than all other samples. This observation indicates that such clusters may exist in a more disturbed state compared to the majority of the distant cluster population sampled by XMM-LSS and SpARCS. This conclusion is supported by stacked X-ray images for the X-ray faint, MIR bright cluster sub-sample that display weak, centrally-concentrated X-ray emission, consistent with a population of growing clusters accreting from an extended envelope of material.

One should avoid retro-orbital pharmacokinetic sample collections for intranasal dosing in rats: Illustration of spurious pharmacokinetics generated for anti-migraine drugs zolmitriptan and eletriptan.

PubMed

Patel, Harilal; Patel, Prakash; Modi, Nirav; Shah, Shaival; Ghoghari, Ashok; Variya, Bhavesh; Laddha, Ritu; Baradia, Dipesh; Dobaria, Nitin; Mehta, Pavak; Srinivas, Nuggehally R

2017-08-30

Because of the avoidance of first pass metabolic effects due to direct and rapid absorption with improved permeability, intranasal route represents a good alternative for extravascular drug administration. The aim of the study was to investigate the intranasal pharmacokinetics of two anti-migraine drugs (zolmitriptan and eletriptan), using retro-orbital sinus and jugular vein sites sampling. In a parallel study design, healthy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats aged between 8 and 12weeks were divided into groups (n=4 or 5/group). The animals of individual groups were dosed intranasal (~1.0mg/kg) and oral doses of 2.1mg/kg of either zolmitriptan or eletriptan. Serial blood sampling was performed from jugular vein or retro-orbital site and plasma samples were analyzed for drug concentrations using LC-MS/MS assay. Standard pharmacokinetics parameters such as T max , C max , AUC last , AUC 0-inf and T 1/2 were calculated and statistics of derived parameters was performed using unpaired t-test. After intranasal dosing, the mean pharmacokinetic parameters C max and AUC inf of zolmitriptan/eletriptan showed about 17-fold and 3-5-fold higher values for retro-orbital sampling as compared to the jugular vein sampling site. Whereas after oral administration such parameters derived for both drugs were largely comparable between the two sampling sites and statistically non-significant. In conclusion, the assessment of plasma levels after intranasal administration with retro-orbital sampling would result in spurious and misleading pharmacokinetics. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Use of a Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitor Does Not Inhibit Platelet Activation or Growth Factor Release From Platelet-Rich Plasma.

PubMed

Ludwig, Hilary C; Birdwhistell, Kate E; Brainard, Benjamin M; Franklin, Samuel P

2017-12-01

It remains unestablished whether use of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors impairs platelet activation and anabolic growth factor release from platelets in platelet-rich plasma (PRP). The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of a COX-2 inhibitor on platelet activation and anabolic growth factor release from canine PRP when using a clinically applicable PRP activator and to determine whether a 3-day washout would be sufficient to abrogate any COX-2 inhibitor-related impairment on platelet function. Controlled laboratory study. Ten healthy dogs underwent blood collection and PRP preparation. Dogs were then administered a COX-2 inhibitor for 7 days, after which PRP preparation was repeated. The COX-2 inhibitor was continued for 4 more days and PRP preparation performed a third time, 3 days after discontinuation of the COX-2 inhibitor. Immediately after PRP preparation, the PRP was divided into 4 aliquots: 2 unactivated and 2 activated using human γ-thrombin (HGT). One activated and 1 unactivated sample were assessed using flow cytometry for platelet expression of CD62P and platelet-bound fibrinogen using the canine activated platelet-1 (CAP1) antibody. The 2 remaining samples were centrifuged and the supernatant assayed for transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) concentrations. Differences in platelet activation and TGF-β1, PDGF-BB, and TXB2 concentrations over the 3 study weeks were evaluated using a 1-way repeated-measures ANOVA, and comparisons between activated and unactivated samples within a study week were assessed with paired t tests. There were no statistically significant ( P > .05) effects of the COX-2 inhibitor on percentage of platelets positive for CD62P or CAP1 or on concentrations of TGF-β1, PDGF-BB, or TXB2. All unactivated samples had low levels of activation or growth factor concentrations and significantly ( P < .05) greater activation and growth factor concentrations in HGT-activated samples. This COX-2 inhibitor did not impair platelet activation, growth factor release, or TXB2 production in this canine PRP when using HGT as an activator. Studies are warranted to determine whether COX-2 inhibitors affect platelet activation and growth factor release from human PRPs. These results suggest that there is no need to withhold a COX-2 inhibitor before PRP preparation, particularly if thrombin is going to be used to activate the PRP. This is clinically relevant information because many patients who are candidates for PRP therapy for treatment of musculoskeletal injury are also using COX-2 inhibitors.

Heavy metals and organic carbon in sediments from the Tuy River basin, Venezuela.

PubMed

Mogollón, J L; Ramirez, A J; Guillén, R B; Bifano, C

1990-12-01

The Tuy River basin, located in north-central Venezuela with an annual average temperature of 27°C and precipitation of 140 cm, was selected to conduct a geochemical study of bottom sediments, with the object of establishing the natural and human influences in the abundance and distribution of Fe, Mn, Cr, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn and organic carbon. The basin is lithologically divided into two sub-basins, north and south. The north sub-basin drains a iow-grade metasedimentary terrain with a population density of 800 persons km(-2) and approximateiy 600 industrial sites, while the south sub-basin in underlain by metavolcanic and ultramafic rocks, with a population density of less than 10 persons km(-2).Stream bottom sediment samples (150) were collected during the years of 1979-1986 in 16 unpolluted sites and 13 polluted sites. The sediments were air dried at room temperature and sieved through a 120 stainless steel mesh (125 μm). Samples of grain size smaller than 125 μm were analysed, the heavy metals being determined by atomic absorption spectrometry and the organic carbon (Corg) by dry combustion.The higher concentrations of heavy metals and organic carbon found in the pristine areas were in the south sub-basin, especially in those areas with higher annual precipitation and tropical forest. This indicated that the metavolcanic and ultramafic rocks yield higher concentrations of heavy metals than the metasedimentary rocks. It was also noted that the higher concentrations of Cr and Ni are associated with the ultramafic rocks. The results obtained from the sediment samples collected in the polluted sites showed that the elements Pb, Zn and Corg are enriched up to 4 times as a result of ail the human activities taking place in the basin. Organic carbon is an excellent indicator of domestic wastewater, Pb and Zn are good indicators of the automotive traffic and industrial effluents. The concentrations of each heavy metal did not show any significant correlation with grain size fractions; however, the concentration of organic carbon did show a negative correlation with grain size. The lithological, climatic and vegetation influence in the abundance of heavy metals and organic carbon in stream sediments clearly indicates the necessity of establishing background levels for the area under study when carrying out studies in environmental geochemistry.

Ecological adaptations in Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca). IV. Montana and Idaho near the Continental Divide

Treesearch

Gerald Rehfeldt

1988-01-01

Seventy-seven seedling populations of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca) sampled from near the Continental Divide in Idaho and Montana exhibited pronounced genetic differences when compared in three common environments. Differentiation involved several traits that are components of an annual developmental cycle that must be completed within a growing...

Rayleigh Scattering Diagnostic for Measurement of Temperature, Velocity, and Density Fluctuation Spectra

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mielke, Amy F.; Elam, Kristie A.; Sung, Chih-Jen; Panda, Jayanta

2006-01-01

A molecular Rayleigh scattering technique is developed to measure dynamic gas temperature, velocity, and density in unseeded turbulent flows at sampling rates up to 10 kHz. A high power CW laser beam is focused at a point in a heated air jet plume and Rayleigh scattered light is collected and spectrally resolved. The spectrum of the light, which contains information about the temperature, velocity, and density of the flow, is analyzed using a Fabry-Perot interferometer. The circular interference fringe pattern is divided into four concentric regions and sampled at 1 and 10 kHz using photon counting electronics. Monitoring the relative change in intensity within each region allows for measurement of gas temperature and velocity. Independently monitoring the total scattered light intensity provides a measure of gas density. Power spectral density calculations of temperature, velocity, and density fluctuations, as well as mean and fluctuating quantities are demonstrated for various radial locations in the jet flow at a fixed axial distance from the jet exit plane. Results are compared with constant current anemometry and pitot probe measurements at the same locations.

Humoral and cellular immunity in chromium picolinate-supplemented lambs.

PubMed

Dallago, B S L; McManus, C M; Caldeira, D F; Campeche, A; Burtet, R T; Paim, T P; Gomes, E F; Branquinho, R P; Braz, S V; Louvandini, H

2013-08-01

The effects of oral supplementation of chromium picolinate (CrPic) on humoral and cellular immunity in sheep were investigated. Twenty-four male lambs divided into four treatments and received different dosages of CrPic: placebo (0), 0.250, 0.375, and 0.500 mg of chromium/animal/day during 84 days. The base ration was Panicum maximum cv Massai hay and concentrate. Blood samples were collected fortnightly for total and differential leukocyte counts. On days 28 and 56, the lambs were challenged with chicken ovalbumin I.M. Serum samples were collected on days 46 and 74 and subjected to an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure IgG anti-ovalbumin. The cell-mediated immune response was determined by a delay-type hypersensitivity test using phytohemagglutinin. CrPic did not significantly affect humoral immunity in lambs but there was a negative effect on cellular immunity (P < 0.05) as Cr supplementation increased. Therefore, the level of Cr supplementation for lambs must be better studied to address its effect on stressed animals or the possible toxic effects of Cr on the animal itself or its immune system.

Application of cluster analysis to the geochemistry zonation of the estuary waters in the Tinto and Odiel rivers (Huelva, Spain).

PubMed

Grande, José Antonio; Borrego, José; de la Torre, Maria Luisa; Sáinz, A

2003-06-01

The combination of acid water from mines, industrial effluents and sea water plays a determining role in the evolutionary process of the chemical makeup of the water in the estuary of the Tinto and Odiel rivers. This estuary is in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula and is one of the estuarine systems on the northwest coast of the Gulf of Cádiz. From the statistical treatment of data obtained by analyzing samples of water from this system, which is affected by industrial and mining pollution processes, we can see how the sampling points studied form two large groups depending on whether they receive tidal or fluvial influences. Fluvial input contributes acid water with high concentrations of heavy metal, whereas industrial effluents are responsible for the presence of phosphates, silica and other nutrients. The estuarine system of the Tinto and Odiel Rivers can be divided into three areas--the Tinto estuary, the Odiel estuary and the area of confluence--based on the physical--chemical characteristics of the water.

Deposition of gamma emitters from Chernobyl accident and their transfer in lichen-soil columns.

PubMed

Lehto, Jukka; Paatero, Jussi; Pehrman, Reijo; Kulmala, Seija; Suksi, Juhani; Koivula, Teija; Jaakkola, Timo

2008-10-01

Lichen-soil column samples were taken from several locations in the Southern Finland between 1986 and 2006. Columns were divided into three parts, upper lichen, lower lichen and underlying soil, and their gamma emitting radionuclides, 134Cs, 137Cs, 103Ru, 95Zr, 106Ru, 110mAg, 125Sb and 144Ce, were measured with gamma spectrometry. Deposition values were calculated as Bq/m2 for each sampling site. Distribution of various radionuclides in the three compartments as a function of time was determined. Both effective and ecological half-lives of all radionuclides were calculated for upper lichen, whole lichen and whole lichen-soil column. A linear relation was derived between the physical half-lives and effective half-lives for whole lichen and for whole lichen-soil column. Reindeer meat activity concentrations of various radionuclides and ensuing radiation doses to reindeer-herding people were also estimated for a hypothetical case where a similar high radioactive pollution, as was taken place in the Southern Finland, would have occurred in the reindeer-herding areas in the Finnish Lapland.

A Spatially Constrained Multi-autoencoder Approach for Multivariate Geochemical Anomaly Recognition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lirong, C.; Qingfeng, G.; Renguang, Z.; Yihui, X.

2017-12-01

Separating and recognizing geochemical anomalies from the geochemical background is one of the key tasks in geochemical exploration. Many methods have been developed, such as calculating the mean ±2 standard deviation, and fractal/multifractal models. In recent years, deep autoencoder, a deep learning approach, have been used for multivariate geochemical anomaly recognition. While being able to deal with the non-normal distributions of geochemical concentrations and the non-linear relationships among them, this self-supervised learning method does not take into account the spatial heterogeneity of geochemical background and the uncertainty induced by the randomly initialized weights of neurons, leading to ineffective recognition of weak anomalies. In this paper, we introduce a spatially constrained multi-autoencoder (SCMA) approach for multivariate geochemical anomaly recognition, which includes two steps: spatial partitioning and anomaly score computation. The first step divides the study area into multiple sub-regions to segregate the geochemical background, by grouping the geochemical samples through K-means clustering, spatial filtering, and spatial constraining rules. In the second step, for each sub-region, a group of autoencoder neural networks are constructed with an identical structure but different initial weights on neurons. Each autoencoder is trained using the geochemical samples within the corresponding sub-region to learn the sub-regional geochemical background. The best autoencoder of a group is chosen as the final model for the corresponding sub-region. The anomaly score at each location can then be calculated as the euclidean distance between the observed concentrations and reconstructed concentrations of geochemical elements.The experiments using the geochemical data and Fe deposits in the southwestern Fujian province of China showed that our SCMA approach greatly improved the recognition of weak anomalies, achieving the AUC of 0.89, compared with the AUC of 0.77 using a single deep autoencoder approach.

On mass concentrations and magnitude gaps of galaxy systems in the CS82 survey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vitorelli, André Z.; Cypriano, Eduardo S.; Makler, Martín; Pereira, Maria E. S.; Erben, Thomas; Moraes, Bruno

2018-02-01

Galaxy systems with large magnitude gaps - defined as the difference in magnitude between the central galaxy and the brightest satellite in the central region, such as fossil groups - are claimed to have earlier formation times. In this study, we measure the mass concentration, as an indicator of the formation epoch, of ensembles of galaxy systems divided by redshift and magnitude gaps in the r band. We use cross-correlation weak-lensing measurements with NFW parametric mass profiles to measure masses and concentrations of these ensembles from a catalogue of systems built from the SDSS Coadd by the redMaPPer algorithm. The lensing shear data come from the CFHT Stripe 82 (CS82) survey, and consists of i-band images of the SDSS Stripe 82 region. We find that the stack made up of systems with larger magnitude gaps has a high probability of being more concentrated, in the lowest redshift slice (0.2 < z < 0.4), both when dividing in quartiles (P = 0.98) and tertiles (P = 0.85). These results lend credibility to the claim that systems with large magnitude gaps tend to have been formed early.

Water-quality data analysis of the upper Gunnison River watershed, Colorado, 1989-99

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gurdak, Jason J.; Greve, Adrienne I.; Spahr, Norman E.

2002-01-01

Water-quality data from October 1969 to December 1999 for both surface water and ground water in the upper Gunnison River watershed were retrieved and compiled from the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Storage and Retrieval databases. Analyses focused primarily on a subset of these data from October 1989 to December 1999. The upper Gunnison River watershed is located west of the Continental Divide in the Southern Rocky Mountains physiographic province. Surface-water-quality data were compiled for 482 sites in the upper Gunnison River watershed. Most values of surface-water temperature, dissolved oxygen, and pH were within Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) in-stream standards. Calcium bicarbonate type water was the most spatially dominant water type in the basin. Nutrients were most commonly sampled along the Slate River and East River near Crested Butte and along the Gunnison River from the confluence of the East and Taylor Rivers to the western edge of the watershed. Median ammonia concentrations were low, with many concentrations less than laboratory reporting levels. All nitrate concentrations met the CDPHE in-stream standard of 10 milligrams per liter. More than 30 percent of stream sites with total phosphorus data (23 of 61 sites) had concentrations greater than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) recommendation for controlling eutrophication. Ammonia concentrations at a site on the Slate River near Crested Butte had a statistically significant upward trend for the 1995?99 period. The Slate River near Crested Butte site is located immediately downstream from the towns of Crested Butte and Mount Crested Butte and may reflect recent population growth or other land-use changes. However, the rate of change of the trend is small (0.017 milligram per liter per year). Although a multiple comparison test showed nitrate concentrations were statistically different between agriculture and forest sites and between agriculture and urban land-use classified sites, median concentrations were low among all land-use settings. Median concentrations of total phosphorus were greatest in rangeland areas and least in urban areas. No significant differences were identified for median concentrations of total phosphorus in agriculture and forest land-use areas. Median concentrations of arsenic, lead, mercury, selenium, and silver were low or below reporting levels throughout the watershed. Aluminum, cadmium, copper, lead, manganese, and zinc concentrations were elevated near the town of Crested Butte and on Henson Creek upstream from Lake City, which may be explained by upstream areas of historical mining. Samples for six trace elements exceeded standards: cadmium, copper, lead, manganese, silver, and zinc. A downward trend (3 micrograms per liter per year) was identified for the dissolved iron concentration at a site on the Gunnison River at County Road 32 downstream from the city of Gunnison. Streambed-sediment samples from areas affected by historical mining also had elevated concentrations of some trace elements. Chlorophyll-a concentrations in samples from Blue Mesa Reservoir and streams in the Crested Butte and Gunnison areas were typical of unenriched to moderately enriched conditions. Median concentrations of 5-day biochemical oxygen demand concentrations for sites between Crested Butte and Blue Mesa Reservoir were less than 2 milligrams per liter. Occasional high (greater than 200 counts per 100 milliliters) concentrations for fecal coliform were determined at selected sites within the study area. However, median concentrations were less than 100 counts per 100 milliliters except for the Squaw Creek and Cimarron River areas in the western part of the watershed. Ground-water-quality data have been collected by the U.S. Geological Survey from 99 wells. Many wells were completed in aquifers composed of H

Hematologic and Biochemical Values of Wild Red-Tailed Amazon Parrot (Amazona brasiliensis) Nestlings With Abnormal Clinical Examination in Rasa Island, Brazil.

PubMed

Vaz, Frederico Fontanelli; Locatelli-Dittrich, Rosangela; Beltrame, Olair Carlos; Sipinski, Elenise Angelotti Bastos; Abbud, Maria Cecília; Sezerban, Rafael Meirelles

2016-12-01

The red-tailed Amazon parrot (Amazona brasiliensis) is an endangered psittacine species, but little information is available about abnormal clinical findings and hematologic and biochemical values of this species, which are important for monitoring the health of this population. To determine hematologic and biochemical values for wild red-tailed parrot nestlings exhibiting abnormal clinical findings, 31 nestlings from the Rasa Island (Paraná State, Southern Brazil) were physically restrained for clinical examination and blood sample collection. On physical examination, 26 birds had mild abnormalities and 5 had severe disorders. Parrots were divided into 5 groups according to the following clinical findings: presence of ectoparasites (group 1), respiratory disorders (group 2), chronic skin lesions caused by fly larvae (group 3), beak disorders (group 4), and severe clinical signs (group 5). Abnormal hematologic and biochemical findings in the nestlings were high total protein in group 3; low values for hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration in group 4; low glucose concentration, high mean absolute heterophil count, and high heterophil : lymphocyte ratio in group 5; high concentrations of total plasma protein in groups 3 and 4; and high globulin concentration in groups 3 and 5. In general, the population assessed was in good condition. These results provide a guide to the expected clinical findings associated with hematologic and biochemical concentrations in a population of free-living parrots with abnormal clinical examination findings. The data support the conservation planning and health monitoring of the endangered red-tailed Amazon parrot.

Additive solutions differentially affect metabolic and functional parameters of platelet concentrates.

PubMed

Leitner, G C; List, J; Horvath, M; Eichelberger, B; Panzer, S; Jilma-Stohlawetz, P

2016-01-01

Pathogen inactivation (PI) of platelet concentrates with extension of shelf life to 7 days requires the use of platelet additive solutions (PAS). We examined the quality of platelets resuspended in three different PAS stored for up to 7 days. Twelve triple adult dose platelet concentrates (PC) were collected using the TrimaAccel® collection system. Each highly concentrated product was divided into three equal parts, and the additive solutions (Composol® or SSP+® or Intersol™) were added to a final concentration of 56% PAS and 44% plasma. Samples were drawn on days 1, 5 and 7 to measure pH, glucose, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), lactate, mean platelet volume (MPV) and the aggregation response to collagen and the thrombin receptor agonist peptide-6. Further, p-selectin expression on platelets was assessed. No statistically significant changes were observed for pH and MPV during 7 days of storage in all PAS containing PCs, whereas glucose decreased and LDH and lactate increased over time (P < 0·05). These changes were particularly evident in Intersol PCs on days 5 and 7 compared with Composol® PCs or SSP+® PCs (P < 0·05). Platelets from Intersol PCs exhibited the highest baseline activation of p-selectin and showed reduced collagen- and TRAP-6-induced aggregation. Resuspension of platelets in Intersol for 7 days results in increased platelet activation and platelet metabolism compared with SSP+® or Composol®. Further clinical studies are needed to evaluate whether the observed differences in PAS-PCs affect the recovery rate or the life span of transfused platelets. © 2015 International Society of Blood Transfusion.

THE COMPREHENSION OF RAPID SPEECH BY THE BLIND, PART III.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

FOULKE, EMERSON

A REVIEW OF THE RESEARCH ON THE COMPREHENSION OF RAPID SPEECH BY THE BLIND IDENTIFIES FIVE METHODS OF SPEECH COMPRESSION--SPEECH CHANGING, ELECTROMECHANICAL SAMPLING, COMPUTER SAMPLING, SPEECH SYNTHESIS, AND FREQUENCY DIVIDING WITH THE HARMONIC COMPRESSOR. THE SPEECH CHANGING AND ELECTROMECHANICAL SAMPLING METHODS AND THE NECESSARY APPARATUS HAVE…

High Prevalence, Genetic Diversity and Intracellular Growth Ability of Legionella in Hot Spring Environments

PubMed Central

Zhou, Haijian; Wang, Huanxin; Xu, Ying; Zhao, Mingqiang; Guan, Hong; Li, Machao; Shao, Zhujun

2013-01-01

Background Legionella is the causative agent of Legionnaires' disease, and hot springs are a major source of outbreaks of this disease. It is important from a public health perspective to survey hot spring environments for the presence of Legionella. Methods Prospective surveillance of the extent of Legionella pollution was conducted at three hot spring recreational areas in Beijing, China in 2011. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and sequence-based typing (SBT) were used to describe the genetic polymorphism of isolates. The intracellular growth ability of the isolates was determined by interacting with J774 cells and plating the dilutions onto BCYE agar plates. Results Overall, 51.9% of spring water samples showed Legionella-positive, and their concentrations ranged from 1 CFU/liter to 2,218 CFU/liter. The positive rates of Legionella were significantly associated with a free chlorine concentration of ≥0.2 mg/L, urea concentration of ≥0.05 mg/L, total microbial counts of ≥400 CFU/ml and total coliform of ≥3 MPN/L (p<0.01). The Legionella concentrations were significantly associated with sample temperature, pH, total microbial counts and total coliform (p<0.01). Legionella pneumophila was the most frequently isolated species (98.9%), and the isolated serogroups included serogroups 3 (25.3%), 6 (23.4%), 5 (19.2%), 1 (18.5%), 2 (10.2%), 8 (0.4%), 10 (0.8%), 9 (1.9%) and 12 (0.4%). Two hundred and twenty-eight isolates were analyzed by PFGE and 62 different patterns were obtained. Fifty-seven L. pneumophila isolates were selected for SBT analysis and divided into 35 different sequence types with 5 main clonal groups. All the 57 isolates had high intracellular growth ability. Conclusions Our results demonstrated high prevalence and genetic polymorphism of Legionella in springs in Beijing, China, and the SBT and intracellular growth assay results suggested that the Legionella isolates of hot spring environments were pathogenic. Improved control and prevention strategies are urgently needed. PMID:23527075

Divided attention in young drivers under the influence of alcohol.

PubMed

Freydier, C; Berthelon, C; Bastien-Toniazzo, M; Gineyt, G

2014-06-01

The present research evaluates driving impairment linked to divided attention task and alcohol and determines whether it is higher for novice drivers than for experienced drivers. Novice and experienced drivers participated in three experimental sessions in which blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) were 0.0 g/L, 0.2 g/L, and 0.5 g/L. They performed a divided attention task with a main task of car-following task and an additional task of number parity identification. Driving performance, response time and accuracy on the additional task were measured. ANOVA showed a driving impairment and a decrease in additional task performance from a BAC of 0.5 g/L, particularly for novice drivers. Indeed, the latter adopt more risky behavior such as tailgating. In the divided attention task, driving impairment was found for all drivers and impairment on information processing accuracy was highlighted, notably in peripheral vision. The divided attention task used here provides a relevant method for identifying the effects of alcohol on cognitive functions and could be used in psychopharmacological research. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

5-AMINOURACIL TREATMENT

PubMed Central

Socher, S. H.; Davidson, D.

1971-01-01

Treatment of Vicia faba lateral roots with a range of concentrations of 5-aminouracil (5-AU) indicate that cells are stopped at a particular point in interphase. The timing of the fall in mitotic index suggests that cells are held at the S - G2 transition. When cells are held at this point, treatments with 5-AU can be used to estimate the duration of G2 + mitosis/2 of proliferating cells. Treatment with 5-AU can also be used to demonstrate the presence of subpopulations of dividing cells that differ in their G2 duration. Using this method, 5-AU-induced inhibition, we have confirmed that in V. faba lateral roots there are two populations of dividing cells: (a) a fast-dividing population, which makes up ∼85% of the proliferating cell population and has a G2 + mitosis/2 duration of 3.3 hr, and (b) a slow-dividing population, which makes up ∼15% of dividing cells and has a G2 duration in excess of 12 hr. These estimates are similar to those obtained from percentage labeled mitosis (PLM) curves after incorporation of thymidine-3H. PMID:5551658

5-Aminouracil treatment. A method for estimating G2.

PubMed

Socher, S H; Davidson, D

1971-02-01

Treatment of Vicia faba lateral roots with a range of concentrations of 5-aminouracil (5-AU) indicate that cells are stopped at a particular point in interphase. The timing of the fall in mitotic index suggests that cells are held at the S - G(2) transition. When cells are held at this point, treatments with 5-AU can be used to estimate the duration of G(2) + mitosis/2 of proliferating cells. Treatment with 5-AU can also be used to demonstrate the presence of subpopulations of dividing cells that differ in their G(2) duration. Using this method, 5-AU-induced inhibition, we have confirmed that in V. faba lateral roots there are two populations of dividing cells: (a) a fast-dividing population, which makes up approximately 85% of the proliferating cell population and has a G(2) + mitosis/2 duration of 3.3 hr, and (b) a slow-dividing population, which makes up approximately 15% of dividing cells and has a G(2) duration in excess of 12 hr. These estimates are similar to those obtained from percentage labeled mitosis (PLM) curves after incorporation of thymidine-(3)H.

A sample implementation for parallelizing Divide-and-Conquer algorithms on the GPU.

PubMed

Mei, Gang; Zhang, Jiayin; Xu, Nengxiong; Zhao, Kunyang

2018-01-01

The strategy of Divide-and-Conquer (D&C) is one of the frequently used programming patterns to design efficient algorithms in computer science, which has been parallelized on shared memory systems and distributed memory systems. Tzeng and Owens specifically developed a generic paradigm for parallelizing D&C algorithms on modern Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). In this paper, by following the generic paradigm proposed by Tzeng and Owens, we provide a new and publicly available GPU implementation of the famous D&C algorithm, QuickHull, to give a sample and guide for parallelizing D&C algorithms on the GPU. The experimental results demonstrate the practicality of our sample GPU implementation. Our research objective in this paper is to present a sample GPU implementation of a classical D&C algorithm to help interested readers to develop their own efficient GPU implementations with fewer efforts.

Influence of different calcium concentrations in the diet on bone metabolism in growing dairy goats and sheep.

PubMed

Liesegang, A; Risteli, J

2005-01-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate, if different Ca concentrations in diets have an influence on bone mineral metabolism in growing goats and sheep. Twelve growing goats and sheep were divided into two groups. The two control groups received 6.1 g calcium/day (nG) and 6.7 g calcium/day (nS) for goat and sheep respectively. The other two groups were fed 17.7 g calcium/day (hG) and 18.5 g calcium/day (hS). Blood samples were taken 2, 4, 5 and 6 weeks after the start of the experiment. In serum Ca and vitamin D were determined and bone metabolism was measured using crosslinked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP), crosslaps, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin (OC). Bone mineral density (BMD) was quantified using quantitative computed tomography. Bone resorption marker (ICTP) concentrations were significantly different between both groups control sheep/control goat and hS/hG, but no significant differences were evident in the different feeding groups within one species. OC concentrations showed a similar course to ICTP. The goats had significantly higher concentrations compared with sheep. The 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D (VITD) concentrations in both hCa groups were significantly lower than in the control groups. BMD increased in the hCa groups compared with the control groups with the time, but significant differences were only evident in sheep in week 2. The hCa diet did not induce differences between the groups within one species for all bone markers. The control Ca diet seems to improve the active Ca absorption via VITD whereas the hCa diet leads to a higher amount of Ca apparently digested. Higher BMD was only observed in group hS compared with nS.

Comparison of residual salivary fluoride retention using amine fluoride toothpastes in caries-free and caries-prone children.

PubMed

Nazzal, H; Duggal, M S; Kowash, M B; Kang, J; Toumba, K J

2016-06-01

This was to compare the salivary fluoride levels following tooth brushing with amine fluoride toothpastes containing three different concentrations of F (250 ppm F, 500 ppm F and 1250 ppm F) and to evaluate the effect of rinsing with water on the oral fluoride levels up to 90 min. A double blind randomised six-arm crossover study was conducted with 32 child participants. Patients were divided into two groups depending on their caries experience with caries-free group (n = 17, mean age = 72.9 months) and caries-prone group (n = 15, mean age = 69.6 months, mean dmfs = 12.3). Each participant brushed their teeth with a smear of dentifrice containing (250 ppm, 500 ppm and 1250 ppm F toothpastes) for 60 s. After spitting out the dentifrice/saliva slurry, participants either rinsed with water or did not rinse at all. Samples of whole mixed unstimulated saliva were collected at 0 (baseline), 1, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 90 mins post-brushing/rinsing. After completing the study on residual fluoride concentration it was found that caries was not a significant variable (p = 0.567) while every other variable was (all p values <0.001). Time, toothpaste F concentration and rinse had significant effects (p < 0.001). In general, higher residual salivary F concentrations were found with increased F concentration in toothpastes and when no rinsing was performed after brushing. The results of this study support the current recommendation of using toothpastes with >1000 ppm F concentration in children with an increased caries risk in addition to spitting excess toothpaste with no rinsing following brushing.

Plasma and serum concentrations of cytarabine administered via continuous intravenous infusion to dogs with meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown etiology.

PubMed

Early, P J; Crook, K I; Williams, L M; Davis, E G; Muñana, K R; Papich, M G; Messenger, K M

2017-08-01

The objective of this study was to evaluate the plasma and serum concentrations of cytarabine (CA) administered via constant rate infusion (CRI) in dogs with meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown etiology (MUE). Nineteen client-owned dogs received a CRI of CA at a dose of 25 mg/m 2 /h for 8 h as treatment for MUE. Dogs were divided into four groups, those receiving CA alone and those receiving CA in conjunction with other drugs. Blood samples were collected at 0, 1, 8, and 12 h after initiating the CRI. Plasma (n = 13) and serum (n = 11) cytarabine concentrations were measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography. The mean peak concentration (C MAX ) and area under the curve (AUC) after CRI administration were 1.70 ± 0.66 μg/mL and 11.39 ± 3.37 h·μg/mL, respectively, for dogs receiving cytarabine alone, 2.36 ± 0.35 μg/mL and 16.91 + 3.60 h·μg/mL for dogs administered cytarabine and concurrently on other drugs. Mean concentrations for all dogs were above 1.0 μg/mL at both the 1- and 8-h time points. The steady-state achieved with cytarabine CRI produces a consistent and prolonged exposure in plasma and serum, which is likely to produce equilibrium between blood and the central nervous system in dogs with a clinical diagnosis of MUE. Other medications commonly used to treat MUE do not appear to alter CA concentrations in serum and plasma. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Evaluation of the relationship between passive smoking and salivary electrolytes, protein, secretory IgA, sialic acid and amylase in young children.

PubMed

Avşar, Aysun; Darka, Ozge; Bodrumlu, Ebru Hazar; Bek, Yüksel

2009-05-01

To evaluate the relationship between passive smoking as determined by salivary cotinine levels and salivary electrolytes, protein, secretory IgA, sialic acid and amylase in children. Saliva was collected from 90 passive smoker (PS) subjects (the study group) and 90 healthy age-matched children (the control group). The study group was divided into three subgroups according the number of cigarettes smoked. Socio-economic status, dental and dietary habits were recorded by questionnaire. Stimulated salivary calcium (Ca), phosphate (P), sodium (Na), potassium (P), total protein, amylase activity, sialic acid level, secretory IgA concentration and cotinine level were analysed. All data were analysed using SPSS, version 13.0. Socio-economic status, dental and dietary habits were similar between the two groups. The salivary electrolytes concentrations did not reveal significant difference between the two groups (p>0.05). The mean cotinine levels of PS children were 1.58+/-4.3 ng/mL. The salivary concentrations of protein were similar between the two groups (p>0.05). The salivary secretory IgA concentration was significantly lower in the PS group than controls. The sialic acid level and amylase activity in PS group were found significantly higher compared with the controls (p<0.05). No difference was observed for all these parameters with sex (p>0.05). When saliva samples were analysed for output, the sialic acid level and amylase activity increased significantly in PS subjects (p<0.05). Further, the output of secretory IgA concentration was found significantly lower compared with the controls (p<0.05). In conclusion, we show that passive smoking was associated with a decrease in secretory IgA concentration, whereas with increase in amylase activity and sialic acid level of stimulated whole saliva in young children.

Protective role of melatonin in progesterone production by human luteal cells.

PubMed

Taketani, Toshiaki; Tamura, Hiroshi; Takasaki, Akihisa; Lee, Lifa; Kizuka, Fumie; Tamura, Isao; Taniguchi, Ken; Maekawa, Ryo; Asada, Hiromi; Shimamura, Katsunori; Reiter, Russel J; Sugino, Norihiro

2011-09-01

This study investigated whether melatonin protects luteinized granulosa cells from reactive oxygen species (ROS) as an antioxidant to enhance progesterone production in the follicle during ovulation. Follicular fluid was sampled at the time of oocyte retrieval in women undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). Melatonin concentrations in the follicular fluid were positively correlated with progesterone concentrations (r = 0.342, P < 0.05) and negatively correlated with the concentration of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), an oxidative stress marker (r = -0.342, P < 0.05). The progesterone and 8-OHdG concentrations were negatively correlated (r = -0.246, P < 0.05). Luteinized granulosa cells were obtained at the time of oocyte retrieval in women undergoing IVF-ET. Cells were incubated with H(2)O(2) (30, 50, 100 μm) in the presence or absence of melatonin (1, 10, 100 μg/mL). Progesterone production by luteinized granulosa cells was significantly inhibited by H(2)O(2). Melatonin treatment overcame the inhibitory effect of H(2) O(2) . Twenty-five patients who had luteal phase defect (serum progesterone concentrations <10 ng/mL during the mid-luteal phase) were divided into two groups during the next treatment cycle: 14 women were given melatonin (3 mg/day at 22:00 hr) throughout the luteal phase and 11 women were given no medication as a control. Melatonin treatment improved serum progesterone concentrations (>10 ng/mL during the mid-luteal phase) in nine of 14 women (64.3%), whereas only two of 11 women (18.1%) showed normal serum progesterone levels in the control group. In conclusion, melatonin protects granulosa cells undergoing luteinization from ROS in the follicle and contributes to luteinization for progesterone production during ovulation. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Effect of etching with distinct hydrofluoric acid concentrations on the flexural strength of a lithium disilicate-based glass ceramic.

PubMed

Prochnow, Catina; Venturini, Andressa B; Grasel, Rafaella; Bottino, Marco C; Valandro, Luiz Felipe

2017-05-01

This study examined the effects of distinct hydrofluoric acid concentrations on the mechanical behavior of a lithium disilicate-based glass ceramic. Bar-shaped specimens were produced from ceramic blocks (e.max CAD, Ivoclar Vivadent). The specimens were polished, chamfered, and sonically cleaned in distilled water. The specimens were randomly divided into five groups (n = 23). The HF1, HF3, HF5, and HF10 specimens were etched for 20 s with acid concentrations of 1%, 3%, 5%, and 10%, respectively, while the SC (control) sample was untreated. The etched surfaces were evaluated using a scanning electron microscope and an atomic force microscope. Finally, the roughness was measured, and 3-point bending flexural tests were performed. The data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). The Weibull modulus and characteristic strength were also determined. No statistical difference in the roughness and flexural strength was determined among the groups. The structural reliabilities (Weilbull moduli) were similar for the tested groups; however, the characteristic strength of the HF1 specimen was greater than that of the HF10 specimen. Compared with the untreated ceramic, the surface roughness and flexural strength of the ceramic were unaffected upon etching, regardless of the acid concentration. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 885-891, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Increases in heart rate and serum cortisol concentrations in healthy dogs are positively correlated with an indoor waiting-room environment.

PubMed

Perego, Roberta; Proverbio, Daniela; Spada, Eva

2014-03-01

Few studies have investigated the effect of veterinary clinical procedures on the welfare of dogs, with specific emphasis on the veterinary practice environment. Clinicopathologic variables have also not been assessed in these potentially stressful situations. Similar to human clinical studies, the veterinary clinical waiting room could present a significant stress factor for dogs. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of waiting-room environment on serum cortisol and glucose alterations as well as heart rate in privately owned healthy dogs. The clinical trial included 24 healthy dogs that were divided into 2 groups: the clinical waiting-room group (A) and the control group (B) that waited outside in a garden. During the entire experiment, 18 dogs (9 dogs per group) were monitored with a human heart rate monitor fastened around the chest. After 20 minutes of waiting, blood samples were collected from all of the dogs (24 dogs) to determine serum cortisol concentration. Serum cortisol concentration and mean, maximum, and minimum heart rate were significantly higher in group A compared with group B, but there was no statistical difference in serum glucose concentrations between the 2 study groups. Results of this study suggest that the waiting room is a potentially stressful situation for dogs in clinical veterinary practice, when compared with a garden, based on the assessment of adrenal cortex function and heart rate evaluation. © 2014 American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology and European Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology.

Variation in the concentration and age of nonstructural carbon stored in different tree tissues

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Richardson, Andrew; Carbone, Mariah; Huggett, Brett; Furze, Morgan; Czimczik, Claudia I.; Xu, Xiaomei

2014-05-01

Trees store nonstructural carbon (NSC), in the form of sugars and starch, in the ray parenchyma cells of woody tissues. These reserves provide a carbon buffer when demand (growth, protection, or metabolism) exceeds supply (photosynthesis). This is particularly important in the context of resilience to stress and disturbance, such as might be associated with various global change factors. However, storage allocation processes and the availability of stored reserves remain poorly understood in woody plants. To better understand how NSC reserves are distributed throughout the tree, and the degree to which NSC reserves mix across ring boundaries and tissue types, we destructively sampled two 30-year-old trees (one red oak, Quercus rubra L., and one white pine, Pinus strobus L.) growing at Harvard Forest, an oak-dominated temperate forest in the northeastern United States. We analyzed stemwood samples (divided into individual rings, bark, and phloem), coarse and fine branches, and coarse (separated into three depths) and fine roots for concentrations of total sugars and starch. For a subset of samples we used the radiocarbon (14C) "bomb spike" method to estimate the mean age of extracted sugars and starch. In oak, stemwood sugar and starch concentrations were highest (50 mg/g) in the youngest (most recently-formed) rings, and dropped off rapidly (to 10 mg/g or less) across the 10 most recent rings. In oak phloem tissue, sugar concentrations were high (90 mg/g) compared to starch (10 mg/g). In pine, sugar concentrations dropped off rapidly across the three most recent rings (from 30 mg/g to 10 mg/g) whereas starch concentrations were low even for the youngest rings (10 mg/g or less). In pine, phloem concentrations of both sugar (190 mg/g) and starch (20 mg/g) were both substantially higher than in oak. Such strong radial trends must be accounted for when scaling up to whole-tree budgets, as whole increment cores cannot properly integrate (on a ring-area basis) across the depth profile. In oak, fine root concentrations of sugar and starch were similar (40 mg/g), and coarse roots had very high concentrations of starch (140 mg/g) compared to sugar (50 mg/g). In pine, fine root concentrations of both sugar and starch (60 mg/g) were higher than in coarse roots (10 mg/g). Coarse root NSC concentrations did not vary substantially along a radial gradient into the root. Even assuming a 1:5 root:shoot ratio, these data indicate that a large portion of the whole-tree NSC budget is stored belowground. For both sugars and starch, the 14C data indicated substantial mixing of new and older carbon across the youngest stemwood rings (up to 5 y), beyond which NSC age increased linearly with ring age. Coarse root NSC age also increased with radial depth and wood tissue age, and root NSC was consistently younger in pine than oak. The fact that NSC age is not constant with radial depth in the aboveground samples demonstrates that NSC reserves cannot be treated as a single, well-mixed pool. Rather, these results are consistent with previous observation suggesting last-in/first-out dynamics. From a modeling standpoint, these results support a simple two-pool structure where new photosynthate not used for current growth or metabolism enters a well-mixed and young "fast" pool, but over time storage in older rings is transferred to a distinct and older "slow" pool with which mixing no longer occurs.

[Levels of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane internal exposure levels in pregnant women of Xiamen and influencing factors].

PubMed

Yu, X S; He, J; Chen, J H; Lai, Z B; Su, Y H; Shi, M M; Huang, Z X; Cheng, Q J; Ke, X Y; Zhao, B H

2016-11-06

Objective: To investigate the level of and factors influencing internal exposure to dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) in pregnant women. Methods: In all, 1 064 pregnant women were recruited in a hospital of Xiamen. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire to obtain data on sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle. Peripheral venous blood and cord blood samples were collected. Of the 1 064 pregnant women, 600 were enrolled in this study after completing the questionnaire and providing peripheral venous blood and cord blood. Among those women, 150 were selected randomly using a systematic sampling method. A gas chromatography coupled electron capture detector was used to determine the concentration of six DDT homologues: p,p'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (p,p'-DDT), o,p'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (o,p'-DDT), p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (p,p'-DDD), o,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (o,p'-DDD), p,p'-dichlorodiphenylethylene (p,p'-DDE), and o,p'-dichlorodiphenylethylene (o,p'-DDE) . Pregnant women were divided into two groups according to DDT concentration: a low concentration group (detection value≤ P 50 ) and a high concentration group (detection value> P 50 ). multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the association between the DDT levels and potential influencing factors which investigated in the questionnaire. Results: The detection rates of p,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDD, o,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDE and o,p'-DDE in the peripheral venous blood samples from the 150 pregnant women were 83.3% (125), 29.3% (44), 58.0% (87), 24.0% (36), 82.0% (123), and 34.7% (52), respectively. The median concentrations were 1.56, 0.03, 0.07, 0.03, 0.93 and 0.03 μg/ml, respectively. The detection rates of p,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDD, o,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDE and o,p'-DDE in the cord blood samples were 69.3% (104), 10.7% (16), 29.3% (44), 20.7% (31), 81.3% (122) and 45.3% (68), and the median concentrations were 0.41, 0.03, 0.03, 0.03, 0.42 and 0.03 μg/ml, respectively. The concentration ranges in the low and high DDT concentration groups which contained 75 respondents respectively were 0-3.69 and 3.74-82.09 μg/ml, respectively. In the single-factor analysis, the number (percentage) of those who consumed seafood " rarely" , "less than twice a week" , and " twice a week or more" was 15 (20.3%), 22 (29.7%), and 37 (50.0%), respectively, in the low concentration group, and 4(5.3%), 20(26.7% ), and 51(68.0% ) in the high concentration group (χ 2 =8.69, P= 0.013). The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis indicate that pregnant women who consume seafood less than twice a week, twice a week or more have higher peripheral blood DDT concentrations compared with those who rarely consume seafood. The OR (95% CI ) values were 1.14 (1.08-1.21), 2.11 (1.55-2.85), respectively. Conclusion: The exposure level of pregnant women to DDTs in the Xiamen area is higher than that of women in other regions. High seafood intake is a risk factor for internal exposure to DDTs.

Near-infrared spectroscopy assessment of divided visual attention task-invoked cerebral hemodynamics during prolonged true driving

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Ting; Zhao, Yue; Sun, Yunlong; Gao, Yuan; Su, Yu; Hetian, Yiyi; Chen, Min

2015-03-01

Driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of traffic accidents. It is imperative to develop a technique to monitor fatigue of drivers in real situation. Near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is now capable of measuring brain functional activity noninvasively in terms of hemodynamic responses sensitively, which shed a light to us that it may be possible to detect fatigue-specified brain functional activity signal. We developed a sensitive, portable and absolute-measure fNIRS, and utilized it to monitor cerebral hemodynamics on car drivers during prolonged true driving. An odd-ball protocol was employed to trigger the drivers' visual divided attention, which is a critical function in safe driving. We found that oxyhemoglobin concentration and blood volume in prefrontal lobe dramatically increased with driving duration (stand for fatigue degree; 2-10 hours), while deoxyhemoglobin concentration increased to the top at 4 hours then decreased slowly. The behavior performance showed clear decrement only after 6 hours. Our study showed the strong potential of fNIRS combined with divided visual attention protocol in driving fatigue degree monitoring. Our findings indicated the fNIRS-measured hemodynamic parameters were more sensitive than behavior performance evaluation.

Impact of nutritional recovery with linear growth on the concentrations of adipokines in undernourished children living in Brazilian slums.

PubMed

Martins, Vinicius J B; Neves, Andrea P O; Franco, Maria do C P; Clemente, Ana P G; Sawaya, Ana L

2014-09-28

Undernutrition in early life has been reported to be closely associated with the development of non-communicable diseases in adulthood. Adequate treatment is important for reversing these effects. In the present study, we investigated the effects of undernutrition and anthropometric recovery on the weights and heights of children in relation to the concentrations of leptin, adiponectin and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). A total of 119 children (aged 6-16 years) from the slums of São Paulo were selected according to their nutritional status and divided into three groups as follows: control (healthy without intervention, n 38) with a height-for-age Z score (HAZ) and a BMI-for-age Z score (BAZ) > -1·6; undernourished (HAZ and/or BAZ < -1·6, n 54); recovered from undernutrition (after treatment in a rehabilitation centre; HAZ and BAZ > -1·6, n 27). Blood samples were collected to determine insulin, glucose, leptin, adiponectin and PAI-1 concentrations. Leptin concentrations in the undernourished group were lower than those in the control and recovered groups (mean 0·92 (95% CI 0·67, 1·25), 2·03 (95% CI 1·46, 2·82) and 1·66 (95% CI 1·15, 2·44) ng/ml, P=0·003), which had similar leptin concentrations. There were no differences in adiponectin and PAI-1 concentrations among the groups. A positive correlation between waist circumference and leptin concentrations was observed in all the girls and boys of the control group (control: r 0·729, P<0·01; undernourished: r 0·490, P<0·05; and recovered: r 0·829, P<0·01; r 0·673, P<0·05). Stronger correlations between leptin and insulin concentrations were observed in the recovered group. The results of the present study indicate that normal leptin concentrations are found when normal height and weight are achieved.

Efficacy of benzocaine as an anaesthetic for Crucian carp (Carassius carassius).

PubMed

Heo, Gang Joon; Shin, Geewook

2010-03-01

To investigate the anaesthetic induction time and concentrations of stress markers in Crucian carp (Carassius carassius) subjected to different concentrations of benzocaine. Prospective experimental study. Thirty-six Crucian carp [body weight 368.3 +/- 22.7 g and length 28.1 +/- 1.9 cm (mean +/- SD)]. Fish were divided into four groups, initially with nine fish per group. Each group was subjected to one of four final concentrations [0, 25, 50 and 100 parts per million (p.p.m.)] of benzocaine. The times to induction of sedation, to pre-anaesthesia and to anaesthesia were recorded according to the behavioural events observed after exposing the fish to benzocaine. At each stage, blood was collected from the caudal vein of three fish of the group, and these three fish were then euthanized. Plasma cortisol and glucose concentrations in the blood samples were measured as indices of stress response. Induction times for all stages of anaesthesia decreased significantly with increasing concentrations of benzocaine (1678 +/- 103, 475 +/- 73 and 251 +/- 2 seconds for anaesthesia in 25, 50 and 100 p.p.m., respectively). Plasma cortisol and glucose concentrations were significantly lower in the anaesthetized groups than the control group (p < 0.05), and tended to decrease with an increasing dose of benzocaine. The cortisol concentrations (36.1 +/- 5.8 ng dL(-1)) at the anaesthetic stage for the 100 p.p.m. group were significantly decreased compared with the other groups (67.3 +/- 14.9 ng dL(-1) in 25 p.p.m. and 47.6 +/- 2.6 ng dL(-1) in 50 p.p.m.). Differences in glucose concentrations between benzocaine-treated groups were not significant. In this study, the fish group exposed to 100 p.p.m. benzocaine had a fast induction time for all monitored stages, low circulating cortisol and glucose concentrations and no immediate mortality.

Spatial distribution of chemical constituents in the Kuskokwim River, Alaska

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wang, Bronwen

1999-01-01

The effects of lithologic changes on the water quality of the Kuskokwim River, Alaska, were evaluated by the U.S. Geological Survey in June 1997. Water, suspended sediments, and bed sediments were sampled from the Kusko-kwim River and from three tributaries, the Holitna River, Red Devil Creek, and Crooked Creek. Dissolved boron, chromium, copper, manganese, zinc, aluminum, lithium, barium, iron, antimony, arsenic, mercury, and strontium were detected. Dissolved manganese and iron concentrations were three and four times higher in the Holitna River than in the Kusko-kwim River. Finely divided ferruginous materials found in the graywacke and shale units of the Kuskokwim Group are the probable source of the iron. The highest concentrations of dissolved strontium and barium were found at McGrath, and the limestone present in the upper basin was the most probable source of strontium. The total mercury concentrations on the Kuskokwim River decreased downstream from McGrath. Dissolved mercury was 24 to 32 percent of the total concentration. The highest concentrations of total mercury, and of dissolved antimony and arsenic were found in Red Devil Creek. The higher concentrations from Red Devil Creek did not affect the main stem mercury transport because the tributary was small relative to the Kuskokwim River. In Red Devil Creek, total mercury exceeded the concentration at which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) indicates that aquatic life is affected and dissolved arsenic exceeded the USEPA's drinking-water standard. Background mercury and antimony concentrations in bed sediments ranged from 0.09 to 0.15 micrograms per gram for mercury and from 1.6 to 2.1 micrograms per gram for antimony. Background arsenic concentrations were greater than 27 micrograms per gram. Sites near the Red Devil mercury mine had mercury and antimony concentrations greater than background concentrations. These concentrations probably reflect the proximity to the ore body and past mining. Crooked Creek had mercury concentrations greater than the background concentration. The transport of suspended sediment-associated trace elements was lower for all elements in the lower river than in the upper river, indicating storage of sediments and their associated metals within the river system.

Effect of storage temperature on endogenous GHB levels in urine.

PubMed

LeBeau, M A; Miller, M L; Levine, B

2001-06-15

Because gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is an endogenous substance present in the body and is rapidly eliminated after ingestion, toxicologists investigating drug-facilitated sexual assault cases are often asked to differentiate between endogenous and exogenous levels of GHB in urine samples. This study was designed to determine the effects of storage temperature on endogenous GHB levels in urine. Specifically, it was designed to ascertain whether endogenous levels can be elevated to a range considered indicative of GHB ingestion. Urine specimens from two subjects that had not been administered exogenous GHB were collected during a 24h period and individually pooled. The pooled specimens were separated into standard sample cups and divided into three storage groups: room temperature ( approximately 25 degrees C), refrigerated (5 degrees C), and frozen (-10 degrees C). Additionally, some specimens were put through numerous freeze/thaw cycles to mimic situations that may occur if multiple laboratories analyze the same specimen. Periodic analysis of the samples revealed increases in the levels of endogenous GHB over a 6-month period. The greatest increase (up to 404%) was observed in the samples maintained at room temperature. The refrigerated specimens showed increases of 140-208%, while the frozen specimens showed smaller changes (88-116%). The specimens subjected to multiple freeze/thaw cycles mirrored specimens that had been thawed only once. None of the stored urine specimens demonstrated increases in GHB concentrations that would be consistent with exogenous GHB ingestion.

Canine fecal contamination in a metropolitan area (Milan, north-western Italy): prevalence of intestinal parasites and evaluation of health risks.

PubMed

Zanzani, Sergio Aurelio; Di Cerbo, Anna Rita; Gazzonis, Alessia Libera; Genchi, Marco; Rinaldi, Laura; Musella, Vincenzo; Cringoli, Giuseppe; Manfredi, Maria Teresa

2014-01-01

Intestinal parasites of dogs represent a serious threat to human health due to their zoonotic potential. Thus, metropolitan areas presenting high concentrations of pets and urban fecal contamination on public areas are at sanitary risk. Major aim of this survey was to determine prevalence of zoonotic parasites in dog fecal samples collected from public soil of Milan (north-western Italy). Differences in parasites prevalence distribution were explored by a geographical information system- (GIS-) based approach, and risk factors (human density, sizes of green parks, and dog areas) were considered. The metropolitan area was divided into 157 rectangular subareas and sampling was performed following a 1-kilometer straight transect. A total of 463 fecal samples were analyzed using centrifugation-flotation technique and ELISA to detect Giardia and Cryptosporidium coproantigens. A widespread fecal contamination of soil was highlighted, being fecal samples found in 86.8% of the subareas considered. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 16.63%. Zoonotic parasites were found, such as Trichuris vulpis (3.67%), Toxocara canis (1.72%), Strongyloides stercoralis (0.86%), Ancylostomatidae (0.43%), and Dipylidium caninum (0.43%). Giardia duodenalis was the most prevalent zoonotic protozoa (11.06%), followed by Cryptosporidium (1.10%). Faeces from subareas characterized by broad green areas showed to be particularly prone to infection.

Canine Fecal Contamination in a Metropolitan Area (Milan, North-Western Italy): Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites and Evaluation of Health Risks

PubMed Central

Zanzani, Sergio Aurelio; Di Cerbo, Anna Rita; Gazzonis, Alessia Libera; Genchi, Marco; Rinaldi, Laura; Musella, Vincenzo; Cringoli, Giuseppe

2014-01-01

Intestinal parasites of dogs represent a serious threat to human health due to their zoonotic potential. Thus, metropolitan areas presenting high concentrations of pets and urban fecal contamination on public areas are at sanitary risk. Major aim of this survey was to determine prevalence of zoonotic parasites in dog fecal samples collected from public soil of Milan (north-western Italy). Differences in parasites prevalence distribution were explored by a geographical information system- (GIS-) based approach, and risk factors (human density, sizes of green parks, and dog areas) were considered. The metropolitan area was divided into 157 rectangular subareas and sampling was performed following a 1-kilometer straight transect. A total of 463 fecal samples were analyzed using centrifugation-flotation technique and ELISA to detect Giardia and Cryptosporidium coproantigens. A widespread fecal contamination of soil was highlighted, being fecal samples found in 86.8% of the subareas considered. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 16.63%. Zoonotic parasites were found, such as Trichuris vulpis (3.67%), Toxocara canis (1.72%), Strongyloides stercoralis (0.86%), Ancylostomatidae (0.43%), and Dipylidium caninum (0.43%). Giardia duodenalis was the most prevalent zoonotic protozoa (11.06%), followed by Cryptosporidium (1.10%). Faeces from subareas characterized by broad green areas showed to be particularly prone to infection. PMID:25478583

Relative extraction ratio (RER) for arsenic and heavy metals in soils and tailings from various metal mines, Korea.

PubMed

Son, Hye Ok; Jung, Myung Chae

2011-01-01

This study focused on the evaluation of leaching behaviours for arsenic and heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) in soils and tailings contaminated by mining activities. Ten representative mine soils were taken at four representative metal mines in Korea. To evaluate the leaching characteristics of the samples, eight extraction methods were adapted namely 0.1 M HCl, 0.5 M HCl, 1.0 M HCl, 3.0 M HCl, Korean Standard Leaching Procedure for waste materials (KSLP), Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure (SPLP), Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) and aqua regia extraction (AR) methods. In order to compare element concentrations as extraction methods, relative extraction ratios (RERs, %), defined as element concentration extracted by the individual leaching method divided by that extracted by aqua regia based on USEPA method 3050B, were calculated. Although the RER values can vary upon sample types and elements, they increase with increasing ionic strength of each extracting solution. Thus, the RER for arsenic and heavy metals in the samples increased in the order of KSLP < SPLP < TCLP < 0.1 M HCl < 0.5 M HCl < 1.0 M HCl < 3.0 M HCl. In the same extraction method, the RER values for Cd and Zn were relatively higher than those for As, Cu, Ni and Pb. This may be due to differences in geochemical behaviour of each element, namely high solubility of Cd and Zn and low solubility of As, Cu, Ni and Pb in surface environment. Thus, the extraction results can give important information on the degree and extent of arsenic and heavy metal dispersion in the surface environment.

The stress, surface spin and dipolar interaction in the diluted NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles by the SiO{sub 2} matrix: Characterization and analyses

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sun, X.; Ma, Y.Q., E-mail: yqma@ahu.edu.cn; Xu, S.T.

2015-09-15

Well-dispersed uniform NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles (NPs) with an average particle size of 15.4 nm were synthesized by thermal decomposition of a metal–organic salt, and then were diluted in a SiO{sub 2} matrix via a sol–gel method with different concentration. The magnetization (M) dependence of NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}/SiO{sub 2} on the temperature (T) and on the applied magnetic field (H) was systematically characterized by the Quantum Design superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) PPMS system. The results of M ~ H/T divide the magnetic properties between 10 K and 300 K into two regions: the low temperature blocked-particle regime below themore » blocking temperature T{sub B} and the interacting superparamagnetic (ISP) regime above T{sub B}. In the ISP regime, all samples deviate from the ideal Langevin superparamagnetic behavior due to the effective anisotropy induced by the stress, surface spins and interparticle dipolar interaction. The Raman spectra indicate that the stress in all samples exhibits the vibration behavior, which leads to the effective anisotropy and hence coercivity vibration. - Graphical abstract: Display Omitted - Highlights: • Increase of NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} NPs' concentration elevates T{sub B} and broadens ZFC peak. • NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}/SiO{sub 2} samples do not exhibit the ideal superparamagnetism above T{sub B}. • Stress leads to the effective anisotropy and hence H{sub c} vibration. • Stress vibration was characterized in detail by the Raman spectra.« less

Beyond-use dating of lidocaine alone and in two "magic mouthwash" preparations.

PubMed

Kirk, Loren Madden; Brown, Stacy D; Luu, Yao; Ogle, Amanda; Huffman, Jessica; Lewis, Paul O

2017-05-01

Beyond-use dating (BUD) of lidocaine alone and in two "magic mouthwash" preparations stored in amber oral syringes at room temperature was determined. Two formulations of mouthwash containing oral topical lidocaine 2% (viscous), diphenhydramine 2.5 mg/mL, and aluminum hydroxide-magnesium hydroxide-simethicone were prepared in 1:1:1 and 1:2.5:2.5 ratios, divided into 3-mL samples, and stored in unit-dose oral amber syringes. Unit-dose single-product lidocaine samples were also prepared to serve as controls and stored in oral amber syringes. The lidocaine concentrations in these samples were measured periodically for 90 days. A stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed and validated for system suitability, accuracy, repeatability, intermediate precision, specificity, linearity, and robustness. Based on the calculated percentages versus the initial concentration and the results from an analysis of variance comparing the two formulations, a BUD of 21 days is deemed appropriate for both magic mouthwash formulations. Based on the stability data, published safety concerns, and lack of efficacy in combination, packaging and dispensing lidocaine separately from other ingredients are recommended when administering magic mouthwash mixtures. Utilizing a 90-day BUD, lidocaine can be packaged separately from other magic mouthwash ingredients in individual dosage units and applied to the oral cavity using the swish-and-spit method. The delivery of the diphenhydramine and aluminum hydroxide-magnesium hydroxide-simethicone could be separated, allowing for a swish-and-swallow method of administration. A BUD of 21 days is recommended for lidocaine prepared with diphenhydramine and aluminum hydroxide-magnesium hydroxide-simethicone in ratios of 1:1:1 and 1:2.5:2.5 and stored at room temperature in amber oral plastic syringes. Copyright © 2017 by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. All rights reserved.

[Recovery of Trichostrongylus colubriformis infective larvae from three grass species contaminated in summer].

PubMed

Rocha, Raquel A da; Rocha, Gilberto P da; Bricarello, Patrizia A; Amarante, Alessandro F T

2008-01-01

The purpose of the experiment was to evaluate infective Trichostrongylus colubriformis larvae (L3) survival in three forage species. Experimental plots, planted with Brachiaria decumbens cv. Australian, Cynodon dactilon cv. Coast-cross, and Panicum maximum cv. Aruana, were used in the study, totaling two plots for each species. Each plot (32.4 m(2)) was divided into 36 subplots (30 x 30 cm) in order to allow six replicates per forage species and per herbage height in each week of material collection. Larval recovery was evaluated from middle summer to middle autumn under the effect of two forage paring heights: low, 5 cm, and high, 30 cm. The paring was carried out immediately before the fecal samples with T. colubriformis eggs, taken from sheep, were deposited on pasture in 05/Feb/2004. Feces and forage collection was performed one, two, four, eight, 12 and 16 weeks after feces deposition in the experimental plots. Forage grass height was measured in each subdivision immediately before the collections. The forage sample was cut, close to the soil, from an area delimited with a circle with a 10 cm radius. The feces were collected from the subplots. The number of infective larvae recovered from pasture was very small in comparison with the amount of larvae produced in cultures maintained in laboratory (maximum 6.7% on Aruana grass with 30 cm). L3 recovery rates from fecal samples were bigger when the feces were deposited on high grass (measuring 30 cm - P<0.05). L3 recovery from pasture and L3 concentration on herbage (L3/Kg dry matter) were similar for both cuts (P>0.05). Among the forage species, the Aruana grass was the one that, in general, harbored the biggest concentrations of infective T. colubriformis larvae.

Comparison of chemistry analytes between 2 portable, commercially available analyzers and a conventional laboratory analyzer in reptiles.

PubMed

McCain, Stephanie L; Flatland, Bente; Schumacher, Juergen P; Clarke Iii, Elsburgh O; Fry, Michael M

2010-12-01

Advantages of handheld and small bench-top biochemical analyzers include requirements for smaller sample volume and practicality for use in the field or in practices, but little has been published on the performance of these instruments compared with standard reference methods in analysis of reptilian blood. The aim of this study was to compare reptilian blood biochemical values obtained using the Abaxis VetScan Classic bench-top analyzer and a Heska i-STAT handheld analyzer with values obtained using a Roche Hitachi 911 chemical analyzer. Reptiles, including 14 bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps), 4 blue-tongued skinks (Tiliqua gigas), 8 Burmese star tortoises (Geochelone platynota), 10 Indian star tortoises (Geochelone elegans), 5 red-tailed boas (Boa constrictor), and 5 Northern pine snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus), were manually restrained, and a single blood sample was obtained and divided for analysis. Results for concentrations of albumin, bile acids, calcium, glucose, phosphates, potassium, sodium, total protein, and uric acid and activities of aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase obtained from the VetScan Classic and Hitachi 911 were compared. Results for concentrations of chloride, glucose, potassium, and sodium obtained from the i-STAT and Hitachi 911 were compared. Compared with results from the Hitachi 911, those from the VetScan Classic and i-STAT had variable correlations, and constant or proportional bias was found for many analytes. Bile acid data could not be evaluated because results for 44 of 45 samples fell below the lower linearity limit of the VetScan Classic. Although the 2 portable instruments might provide measurements with clinical utility, there were significant differences compared with the reference analyzer, and development of analyzer-specific reference intervals is recommended. ©2010 American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology.

Effect of aspartate and asparagine supplementation on fatigue determinants in intense exercise.

PubMed

Marquezi, Marcelo Luis; Roschel, Hamilton Augusto; dos Santa Costa, André; Sawada, Letícia Aiko; Lancha, Antonio Herbert

2003-03-01

This study evaluated the effect of aspartate (ASP) and asparagine (ASG) supplementation on fatigue determinants in Wistar rats exercised to exhaustion by swimming. The animals were tested for anaerobic threshold (AT) determination and then supplemented with 350 mM ASP + 400 mM ASG x day(-1) (AA group, n = 16) or 2 ml x day(-1) of distillated water (PLC group, n = 16) for 7 days. On the 7th day of supplementation, the animals were divided into 4 new groups and killed at rest (RAA, n = 8; RPLC, n = 8), or immediately after the swimming exercise to exhaustion (EAA, n = 8; EPLC, n = 8). R: No significant differences were observed between amino acids and placebo rest groups for muscle and liver glycogen, blood glucose, lactate, alanine, and glutamine concentrations. However, in the exhaustion groups, the EAA group showed higher exercise time (68.37 +/- 25.42 x 41.12 +/- 13.82 min, p <.05) and lower blood lactate concentration (8.57 +/- 1.92 x 11.28 +/- 2.61 mmol x L(-1), p <.05) than the EPLC group. Moreover, the ASP+ASG supplementation decreased the rate of glycogen degradation of gastrocnemius (1.00 +/- 0.51 x 3.43 +/- 0.99 microg x 100 mg of tissue sample(-1) x min(-1), extensor digitorius longus (5.70 +/- 2.35 x 8.11 +/- 3.97 microg. 100 mg of tissue sample(-1) x min(-1) and liver (0.51 +/- 0.34 x 3.37 +/- 2.31 microg x 100 mg of tissue sample(-1) x min(-1) for EAA. These results suggest that ASP+ASG supplementation may increase the contribution of oxidative metabolism in energy production and delay fatigue during exercise performed above the AT.

Effect of different concentrations of egg yolk and virgin coconut oil in Tris-based extenders on chilled and frozen-thawed bull semen.

PubMed

Tarig, A A; Wahid, H; Rosnina, Y; Yimer, N; Goh, Y M; Baiee, F H; Khumran, A M; Salman, H; Ebrahimi, M

2017-07-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of 8% virgin coconut oil (VCO) combined with different percentages of egg yolk in Tris extender on the quality of chilled and frozen-thawed bull semen. A total of 24 ejaculates from four bulls were collected using an electroejaculator. Semen samples were diluted with 8% VCO in Tris extender which contained different concentrations 0% (control), 4%, 8%, 12%, 16% and 20% egg yolk. The diluted semen samples were divided into two fractions: one was chilled and stored at 4°C until evaluation after 24, 72, and 144h; the second fraction was processed by chilling for 3h at 4°C to equilibrate, then packaged in 0.25ml straws and frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen at -196°C until evaluation after 7 and 14 days. Both chilled and frozen semen samples were then thawed at 37°C and assessed for general motility using computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA), viability, acrosome integrity, and morphology (eosin-nigrosin), membrane integrity (hypo-osmotic swelling test) and lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS)). The results indicate treatments with 8%, 12%, 16% and 20% egg yolk with 8% VCO had greater sperm quality (P<0.05) as compared with the control. The treatment with 20% egg yolk had the greatest sperm quality (P<0.05) among the treated groups for both chilled and frozen-thawed semen. In conclusion, the use of 8% VCO combined with 20% egg yolk in a Tris-based extender enhanced the values for chilled and frozen-thawed quality variables of bull sperm. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Augmentation of thrombin generation in neonates undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass.

PubMed

Guzzetta, N A; Szlam, F; Kiser, A S; Fernandez, J D; Szlam, A D; Leong, T; Tanaka, K A

2014-02-01

Factor concentrates are currently available and becoming increasingly used off-label for treatment of bleeding. We compared recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) with three-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (3F-PCC) for the ability to augment thrombin generation (TG) in neonatal plasma after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). First, we used a computer-simulated coagulation model to assess the impact of rFVIIa and 3F-PCC, and then performed similar measurements ex vivo using plasma from neonates undergoing CPB. Simulated TG was computed according to the coagulation factor levels from umbilical cord plasma and the therapeutic levels of rFVIIa, 3F-PCC, or both. Subsequently, 11 neonates undergoing cardiac surgery were enrolled. Two blood samples were obtained from each neonate: pre-CPB and post-CPB after platelet and cryoprecipitate transfusion. The post-CPB products sample was divided into control (no treatment), control plus rFVIIa (60 nM), and control plus 3F-PCC (0.3 IU ml(-1)) aliquots. Three parameters of TG were measured ex vivo. The computer-simulated post-CPB model demonstrated that rFVIIa failed to substantially improve lag time, TG rate and peak thrombin without supplementing prothrombin. Ex vivo data showed that addition of rFVIIa post-CPB significantly shortened lag time; however, rate and peak were not statistically significantly improved. Conversely, 3F-PCC improved all TG parameters in parallel with increased prothrombin levels in both simulated and ex vivo post-CPB samples. Our data highlight the importance of prothrombin replacement in restoring TG. Despite a low content of FVII, 3F-PCC exerts potent procoagulant activity compared with rFVIIa ex vivo. Further clinical evaluation regarding the efficacy and safety of 3F-PCC is warranted.

Evaluation and reporting of enzyme immunoassay determinations of antibody to herpes simplex virus in sera and cerebrospinal fluid.

PubMed Central

Cremer, N E; Cossen, C K; Hanson, C V; Shell, G R

1982-01-01

Several methods for evaluating and reporting enzyme immunoassay (EIA) determinations of antibody to herpes simplex virus derived from one dilution of single serum samples were studied. An EIA ratio method for serological evidence of current infection from paired serum samples was also evaluated. Optical density (OD) of the reaction at a 1:100 serum dilution and estimated titers obtained by reference of the OD of the serum dilution to a standard curve were compared to the corresponding plotted EIA titer obtained by titration to endpoint. Neither the OD per se nor the estimated titer was completely predictive of the plotted titer (correlation coefficient [r] of 0.824 and 0.817, respectively), and they provided only a semiquantitative measurement of antibody concentration. For an antibody status report, however, OD would be sufficient if related to the cutoff value as an EIA index (OD of sample divided by cutoff OD for positive specimens). The OD of the EIA reaction at a single dilution (1:5) of cerebrospinal fluid, on the other hand, correlated quite well with the titer obtained by titration (r = 0.950). For serological diagnosis of current infection, the OD ratio of convalescence-phase/acute-phase sera was determined at several dilutions. A ratio of greater than or equal to 1.54 was calculated as a reliable index for a significant rise in antibody concentration and compatible with current infection. By determining the convalescent-phase/acute-phase serum ratio at two dilutions, 1:100 and 1:1,000, the EIA ratio method appeared to be a sensitive as or more sensitive than, complement fixation in diagnosing current infection. PMID:6284791

Effect of radiofrequency radiation from Wi-Fi devices on mercury release from amalgam restorations.

PubMed

Paknahad, Maryam; Mortazavi, S M J; Shahidi, Shoaleh; Mortazavi, Ghazal; Haghani, Masoud

2016-01-01

Dental amalgam is composed of approximately 50% elemental mercury. Despite concerns over the toxicity of mercury, amalgam is still the most widely used restorative material. Wi-Fi is a rapidly using local area wireless computer networking technology. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that evaluates the effect of exposure to Wi-Fi signals on mercury release from amalgam restorations. Standard class V cavities were prepared on the buccal surfaces of 20 non-carious extracted human premolars. The teeth were randomly divided into 2 groups (n = 10). The control group was stored in non-environment. The specimens in the experimental groups were exposed to a radiofrequency radiation emitted from standard Wi Fi devices at 2.4 GHz for 20 min. The distance between the Wi-Fi router and samples was 30 cm and the router was exchanging data with a laptop computer that was placed 20 m away from the router. The concentration of mercury in the artificial saliva in the groups was evaluated by using a cold-vapor atomic absorption Mercury Analyzer System. The independent t test was used to evaluate any significant differences in mercury release between the two groups. The mean (±SD) concentration of mercury in the artificial saliva of the Wi-Fi exposed teeth samples was 0.056 ± .025 mg/L, while it was only 0.026 ± .008 mg/L in the non-exposed control samples. This difference was statistically significant (P =0.009). Exposure of patients with amalgam restorations to radiofrequency radiation emitted from conventional Wi-Fi devices can increase mercury release from amalgam restorations.

Brand-specific consumption of alcohol among underage youth in the United States.

PubMed

Siegel, Michael; DeJong, William; Naimi, Timothy S; Fortunato, Erin K; Albers, Alison B; Heeren, Timothy; Rosenbloom, David L; Ross, Craig; Ostroff, Joshua; Rodkin, Sergei; King, Charles; Borzekowski, Dina L G; Rimal, Rajiv N; Padon, Alisa A; Eck, Raimee H; Jernigan, David H

2013-07-01

Little is known about brand-specific alcohol consumption among underage youth, as existing information is collected at the level of alcoholic beverage type. This study identifies the alcohol brands consumed by a nationally representative sample of underage youth in the United States. We obtained a national sample of 1,032 underage youth, aged 13 to 20, using a pre-recruited Internet panel maintained by Knowledge Networks. Youth aged 18 to 20 were recruited directly from the panel via email invitation. Teens aged 13 to 17 were identified by asking adult panelists to identify a member of their household. The survey assessed the past 30-day consumption of 898 brands of alcohol among 16 alcoholic beverage types, including the frequency and amount of each brand consumed in the past 30 days. Market share for a given brand was calculated by dividing the total number of drinks for that brand in the past 30 days across the entire sample by the total number of drinks for all identified brands. The alcohol brands with highest prevalence of past 30-day consumption were Bud Light (27.9%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 23.3 to 32.4%), Smirnoff malt beverages (17.0%, 95% CI 12.9 to 21.1%), and Budweiser (14.6%, 95% CI 11.0 to 18.3%). Brand market share was concentrated in a relatively small number of brands, with the top 25 brands accounting for nearly half of all market shares. Underage youth alcohol consumption, although spread out over several alcoholic beverage types, is concentrated among a relatively small number of alcohol brands. This finding has important implications for alcohol research, practice, and policy. Copyright © 2013 by the Research Society on Alcoholism.

Brand-Specific Consumption of Alcohol among Underage Youth in the United States

PubMed Central

Siegel, Michael; DeJong, William; Naimi, Timothy S.; Fortunato, Erin K.; Albers, Alison B.; Heeren, Timothy; Rosenbloom, David L.; Ross, Craig; Ostroff, Joshua; Rodkin, Sergei; King, Charles; Borzekowski, Dina L.G.; Rimal, Rajiv N.; Padon, Alisa A.; Eck, Raimee H.; Jernigan, David H.

2013-01-01

Background Little is known about brand-specific alcohol consumption among underage youth, as existing information is collected at the level of alcoholic beverage type. This study identifies the alcohol brands consumed by a nationally representative sample of underage youth in the U.S. Methods We obtained a national sample of 1,032 underage youth, ages 13–20, using a pre-recruited internet panel maintained by Knowledge Networks. Youth ages 18–20 were recruited directly from the panel via email invitation. Teens ages 13–17 were identified by asking adult panelists to identify a member of their household. The survey assessed the past 30-day consumption of 898 brands of alcohol among 16 alcoholic beverage types, including the frequency and amount of each brand consumed in the past 30 days. Market share for a given brand was calculated by dividing the total number of drinks for that brand in the past 30 days across the entire sample by the total number of drinks for all identified brands. Results The alcohol brands with highest prevalence of past 30-day consumption were Bud Light (27.9%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 23.3%–32.4%), Smirnoff malt beverages (17.0%, 95% CI 12.9%–21.1%), and Budweiser (14.6%, 95% CI 11.0%–18.3%). Brand market share was concentrated in a relatively small number of brands, with the top 25 brands accounting for nearly half of all market share. Conclusions Underage youth alcohol consumption, although spread out over several alcoholic beverage types, is concentrated among a relatively small number of alcohol brands. This finding has important implications for alcohol research, practice, and policy. PMID:23398328

[Perilla resources of China and essential oil chemotypes of Perilla leaves].

PubMed

Wei, Chang-Ling; Guo, Bao-Lin; Zhang, Chen-Wu; Zhang, Fen; Tian, Jing; Bai, Xiao-Lin; Zhang, Shun-Nan

2016-05-01

This study, based on the findings for Perilla resources, aimed to describe the species, distribution, importance, features, utilization and status of quantitative Perilla resources in China. This not only helps people to know well about the existing resources and researching development, but also indicates the overall distribution, selection and rational use of Perilla resource in the future. According to the output types, Perilla resources are divided into two categories: wild resources and cultivated resources; and based on its common uses, the cultivated resources are further divided into medicine resources, seed-used resources and export resources. The distribution areas of wild resources include Henan, Sichuan, Anhui, Jiangxi, Guangxi, Hunan, Jiangsu and Zhejiang. The distribution areas of medicine resources are concentrated in Hebei, Anhui, Chongqing, Guangxi and Guangdong. Seed-used resources are mainly distributed in Gansu, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Chongqing and Yunnan. Export resource areas are mainly concentrated in coastal cities, such as Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shandong and Zhejiang. For the further study, the essential oil of leaf samples from different areas were extracted by the steam distillation method and analyzed by GC-MS. The differences in essential oil chemotypes among different Perilla leaves were compared by analyzing their chemical constituents. The main 31 constituents of all samples included: perillaketone (0.93%-96.55%), perillaldehyde (0.10%-61.24%), perillene (52.15%), caryophyllene (3.22%-26.67%), and α-farnesene (2.10%-21.54%). These samples can be classified into following five chemotypes based on the synthesis pathways: PK-type, PA-type, PL-type, PP-type and EK-type. The chemotypes of wild resources included PK-type and PA-type, with PK-type as the majority. All of the five chemotypes are included in cultivated resources, with PA-type as the majority. Seed-used resources are all PK-type, and export resources are all PA-type. The P. frutescens var. frutescens include five chemotypes, with PK-type as the majority. The PK-type leaves of P. frutescens var. acuta are green, while the PA-type leaves are reddish purple. The P. fruteseens var. crispa was mainly PA type with reddish purple leaves. The differences of the main chemotypes provide a scientific basis for distinguishing between Zisu and Baisu in previous literatures. Based on the lung toxicity of PK and the traditional use of Perilla, the testing standard of essential oil and Perilla herb shall be built, and PA type is recommended to be used in traditional Chinese medicine. Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.

Comparison of STR profiling from low template DNA extracts with and without the consensus profiling method

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background The consensus profiling method was introduced to overcome the exaggerated stochastic effects associated with low copy number DNA typing. However, little empirical evidence has been provided which shows that a consensus profile, derived from dividing a sample into separate aliquots and including only alleles seen at least twice, gives the most informative profile, compared to a profile obtained by amplifying the entire low template DNA extract in one reaction. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the quality of consensus profiles compared to profiles obtained using the whole low template extract for amplification. Methods A total of 100 pg and 25 pg DNA samples were amplified with the PowerPlex® ESI 16 Kits using 30 or 34 PCR cycles. A total of 100 pg and 25 pg DNA samples were then divided into three aliquots for a 34-cycle PCR and a consensus profile derived that included alleles that appeared in at least two of the replicates. Profiles from the non-split samples were compared to the consensus profiles focusing on peak heights, allele drop out, locus drop out and allele drop in. Results Performing DNA profiling on non-split extracts produced profiles with a higher percentage of correct loci compared to the consensus profiling technique. Consensus profiling did eliminate any spurious alleles from the final profile. However, there was a notable increase in allele and locus drop out when a LTDNA sample was divided prior to amplification. Conclusions The loss of information that occurs when a sample is split for amplification indicates that consensus profiling may not be producing the most informative DNA profile for samples where the template amount is limited. PMID:22748106

Variations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air during haze and non-haze episodes in warm seasons in Hangzhou, China.

PubMed

Lu, Hao; Wang, Shengsheng; Wu, Zuliang; Yao, Shuiliang; Han, Jingyi; Tang, Xiujuan; Jiang, Boqiong

2017-01-01

To investigate the characteristics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during haze episodes in warm seasons, daily PM 2.5 and gaseous samples were collected from March to September 2015 in Hangzhou, China. Daily samples were further divided into four groups by the definition of haze according to visibility and relative humidity (RH), including non-haze (visibility, >10 km), light haze (visibility, 8-10 km, RH <90 %), medium haze (visibility, 5-8 km, RH <90 %), and heavy haze (visibility, <5 km, RH <90 %). Significantly higher concentrations of PM 2.5 -bound PAHs were found in haze days, but the mean PM 2.5 -bound PAH concentrations obviously decreased with the aggravation of haze pollution from light to heavy. The gas/particle partitioning coefficients of PAHs decreased from light-haze to heavy-haze episodes, which indicated that PM 2.5 -bound PAHs were restricted to adhere to the particulate phase with the aggravation of haze pollution. Absorption was considered the main mechanism of gas/particle partitioning of PAHs from gaseous to particulate phase. Analysis of air mass transport indicated that the PM 2.5 -bound PAH pollution in haze days was largely from regional sources but also significantly affected by long-range air mass transport. The inhalation cancer risk associated with PAHs exceeded the acceptable risk level markedly in both haze and non-haze days.

Arsenic and metals in soils in the vicinity of the Imperial Oil Company Superfund Site, Marlboro Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Water-resources investigations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Barringer, J.L.; Szabo, Z.; Barringer, T.H.

1998-09-01

Concentrations of arsenic exceed the New Jersey State Cleanup Criterion of 20 parts per million in sandy and clay-rich soils of two residential areas in the vicinity of the Imperial Oil Company Superfund site in Marlboro Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey. In order to determine the source of the arsenic and metals in soils in the two residential areas, soil samples were collected from (1) long-term forested areas, to determine background geologic and regional atmospheric inputs of arsenic and metals; (2) former and current orchards, to assess the range of concentrations of arsenic and metals that could be contributed bymore » past use of pesticides; (3) the Imperial Oil Company Superfund site, to characterize the chemical composition of contamination from activities at the site; (4) a wooded area adjacent to the Superfund site, to determine whether arsenic and metals from the Superfund site were evident; and (5) the two residential areas, to compare soil chemistry in these areas with the chemistry of soils from forests, orchards, and the Superfund site. The soil samples were divided by soil horizon and were analyzed for 23 metals and metalloids, total organic carbon, and total sulfur. Additionally, air-flow models were used to determine whether roasting of arsenic at the Imperial Oil Company Superfund site was a possible source of arsenic in the soils.« less

Low level exposure to manganese from drinking water and cognition in school-age children.

PubMed

Bouchard, Maryse F; Surette, Céline; Cormier, Pierre; Foucher, Delphine

2018-01-01

Manganese (Mn) is an element found in the environment and certain geographic areas have elevated concentrations in soil and water du to natural conditions or anthropic activities. A growing body of data suggests that exposure to manganese in drinking water could be neurotoxic. Firstly, we aimed to examine the association between exposure to manganese from drinking water and cognition in children consuming well water. Secondly, we also aimed to examine the relation between cognition and manganese concentrations in children's hair, nail, and saliva. A total 259 children from 189 households consuming well water were included in the present study (ages 5.9 to 13.7 years). We assessed children's cognition with the WISC-IV, and we used five indicators of manganese exposure: concentration in tap water, intake from the consumption of water divided by child's weight, manganese concentration in children's hair, toe nail, and saliva. We used General Estimating Equation analysis to assess the relation between manganese exposure indicators and IQ scores, adjusting for potential confounders, and taking into account family clusters. Drinking water manganese concentrations were generally low, with 48% of children consuming water <5μg/L, 25% >50μg/L, and 4% >400μg/L. Results differed by sex. In girls, higher manganese concentration in water, hair, and toe nail were associated with poorer Performance IQ scores but this was significant only for toe nail (for a 10-fold increase in manganese, β: -5.65, 95% CIs: -10.97, -0.32). Opposite associations were observed in boys, i.e., better Performance IQ scores with higher manganese concentration hair, toe nail, and water, the latter being significant (β: 2.66, 95% CIs: 0.44, 4.89). Verbal IQ scores did not seem to be associated with manganese exposure indicators. Drinking water manganese levels were considerably lower than in previous studies reporting neurotoxic effects. There was no clear indication of an association between exposure to manganese and cognitive development in this sample of school-age children although the data suggest there might be sex-specific associations. Given the low levels of exposure and sex-specific associations, a larger sample size would have been required to increase the statistical power and better characterize the relations. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Anthropogenic sources and environmentally relevant concentrations of heavy metals in surface water of a mining district in Ghana: a multivariate statistical approach.

PubMed

Armah, Frederick A; Obiri, Samuel; Yawson, David O; Onumah, Edward E; Yengoh, Genesis T; Afrifa, Ernest K A; Odoi, Justice O

2010-11-01

The levels of heavy metals in surface water and their potential origin (natural and anthropogenic) were respectively determined and analysed for the Obuasi mining area in Ghana. Using Hawth's tool an extension in ArcGIS 9.2 software, a total of 48 water sample points in Obuasi and its environs were randomly selected for study. The magnitude of As, Cu, Mn, Fe, Pb, Hg, Zn and Cd in surface water from the sampling sites were measured by flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Water quality parameters including conductivity, pH, total dissolved solids and turbidity were also evaluated. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis, coupled with correlation coefficient analysis, were used to identify possible sources of these heavy metals. Pearson correlation coefficients among total metal concentrations and selected water properties showed a number of strong associations. The results indicate that apart from tap water, surface water in Obuasi has elevated heavy metal concentrations, especially Hg, Pb, As, Cu and Cd, which are above the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (GEPA) and World Health Organisation (WHO) permissible levels; clearly demonstrating anthropogenic impact. The mean heavy metal concentrations in surface water divided by the corresponding background values of surface water in Obuasi decrease in the order of Cd > Cu > As > Pb > Hg > Zn > Mn > Fe. The results also showed that Cu, Mn, Cd and Fe are largely responsible for the variations in the data, explaining 72% of total variance; while Pb, As and Hg explain only 18.7% of total variance. Three main sources of these heavy metals were identified. As originates from nature (oxidation of sulphide minerals particularly arsenopyrite-FeAsS). Pb derives from water carrying drainage from towns and mine machinery maintenance yards. Cd, Zn, Fe and Mn mainly emanate from industry sources. Hg mainly originates from artisanal small-scale mining. It cannot be said that the difference in concentration of heavy metals might be attributed to difference in proximity to mining-related activities because this is inconsistent with the cluster analysis. Based on cluster analysis SN32, SN42 and SN43 all belong to group one and are spatially similar. But the maximum Cu concentration was found in SN32 while the minimum Cu concentration was found in SN42 and SN43.

Predicting ambient aerosol thermal-optical reflectance measurements from infrared spectra: elemental carbon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dillner, A. M.; Takahama, S.

2015-10-01

Elemental carbon (EC) is an important constituent of atmospheric particulate matter because it absorbs solar radiation influencing climate and visibility and it adversely affects human health. The EC measured by thermal methods such as thermal-optical reflectance (TOR) is operationally defined as the carbon that volatilizes from quartz filter samples at elevated temperatures in the presence of oxygen. Here, methods are presented to accurately predict TOR EC using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) absorbance spectra from atmospheric particulate matter collected on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE or Teflon) filters. This method is similar to the procedure developed for OC in prior work (Dillner and Takahama, 2015). Transmittance FT-IR analysis is rapid, inexpensive and nondestructive to the PTFE filter samples which are routinely collected for mass and elemental analysis in monitoring networks. FT-IR absorbance spectra are obtained from 794 filter samples from seven Interagency Monitoring of PROtected Visual Environment (IMPROVE) sites collected during 2011. Partial least squares regression is used to calibrate sample FT-IR absorbance spectra to collocated TOR EC measurements. The FT-IR spectra are divided into calibration and test sets. Two calibrations are developed: one developed from uniform distribution of samples across the EC mass range (Uniform EC) and one developed from a uniform distribution of Low EC mass samples (EC < 2.4 μg, Low Uniform EC). A hybrid approach which applies the Low EC calibration to Low EC samples and the Uniform EC calibration to all other samples is used to produce predictions for Low EC samples that have mean error on par with parallel TOR EC samples in the same mass range and an estimate of the minimum detection limit (MDL) that is on par with TOR EC MDL. For all samples, this hybrid approach leads to precise and accurate TOR EC predictions by FT-IR as indicated by high coefficient of determination (R2; 0.96), no bias (0.00 μg m-3, a concentration value based on the nominal IMPROVE sample volume of 32.8 m3), low error (0.03 μg m-3) and reasonable normalized error (21 %). These performance metrics can be achieved with various degrees of spectral pretreatment (e.g., including or excluding substrate contributions to the absorbances) and are comparable in precision and accuracy to collocated TOR measurements. Only the normalized error is higher for the FT-IR EC measurements than for collocated TOR. FT-IR spectra are also divided into calibration and test sets by the ratios OC/EC and ammonium/EC to determine the impact of OC and ammonium on EC prediction. We conclude that FT-IR analysis with partial least squares regression is a robust method for accurately predicting TOR EC in IMPROVE network samples, providing complementary information to TOR OC predictions (Dillner and Takahama, 2015) and the organic functional group composition and organic matter estimated previously from the same set of sample spectra (Ruthenburg et al., 2014).

Predicting ambient aerosol Thermal Optical Reflectance (TOR) measurements from infrared spectra: elemental carbon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dillner, A. M.; Takahama, S.

2015-06-01

Elemental carbon (EC) is an important constituent of atmospheric particulate matter because it absorbs solar radiation influencing climate and visibility and it adversely affects human health. The EC measured by thermal methods such as Thermal-Optical Reflectance (TOR) is operationally defined as the carbon that volatilizes from quartz filter samples at elevated temperatures in the presence of oxygen. Here, methods are presented to accurately predict TOR EC using Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) absorbance spectra from atmospheric particulate matter collected on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE or Teflon) filters. This method is similar to the procedure tested and developed for OC in prior work (Dillner and Takahama, 2015). Transmittance FT-IR analysis is rapid, inexpensive, and non-destructive to the PTFE filter samples which are routinely collected for mass and elemental analysis in monitoring networks. FT-IR absorbance spectra are obtained from 794 filter samples from seven Interagency Monitoring of PROtected Visual Environment (IMPROVE) sites collected during 2011. Partial least squares regression is used to calibrate sample FT-IR absorbance spectra to collocated TOR EC measurements. The FTIR spectra are divided into calibration and test sets. Two calibrations are developed, one which is developed from uniform distribution of samples across the EC mass range (Uniform EC) and one developed from a~uniform distribution of low EC mass samples (EC < 2.4 μg, Low Uniform EC). A hybrid approach which applies the low EC calibration to low EC samples and the Uniform EC calibration to all other samples is used to produces predictions for low EC samples that have mean error on par with parallel TOR EC samples in the same mass range and an estimate of the minimum detection limit (MDL) that is on par with TOR EC MDL. For all samples, this hybrid approach leads to precise and accurate TOR EC predictions by FT-IR as indicated by high coefficient of variation (R2; 0.96), no bias (0.00 μg m-3, concentration value based on the nominal IMPROVE sample volume of 32.8 m-3), low error (0.03 μg m-3) and reasonable normalized error (21 %). These performance metrics can be achieved with various degrees of spectral pretreatment (e.g., including or excluding substrate contributions to the absorbances) and are comparable in precision and accuracy to collocated TOR measurements. Only the normalized error is higher for the FT-IR EC measurements than for collocated TOR. FT-IR spectra are also divided into calibration and test sets by the ratios OC/EC and ammonium/EC to determine the impact of OC and ammonium on EC prediction. We conclude that FT-IR analysis with partial least squares regression is a robust method for accurately predicting TOR EC in IMPROVE network samples; providing complementary information to TOR OC predictions (Dillner and Takahama, 2015) and the organic functional group composition and organic matter (OM) estimated previously from the same set of sample spectra (Ruthenburg et al., 2014).

Organochlorine pesticide levels in adipose tissue of pregnant women in Veracruz, Mexico.

PubMed

Herrero-Mercado, Margarita; Waliszewski, S M; Valencia-Quintana, R; Caba, M; Hernández-Chalate, F; García-Aguilar, E; Villalba, R

2010-06-01

DDT and Lindane (gamma-HCH) which were used until 1999 in Mexico, have provided great benefits in the combat of vectors that spread infection-borne diseases and in agriculture for crop protection. The persistence in the environment and their accumulative properties results in bioconcentration in lipid rich tissues of the human body that reflect the extent of environmental pollution. Human adipose tissue samples were taken during 2009 from abdominal cavities of 69 pregnant women by cesarean surgery and from 34 samples of control donors by autopsy in Veracruz State. The samples were analyzed by gas chromatography with ECD. The results of mean levels (mg/kg on fat basis) were higher in controls compared to pregnant women beta-HCH 0.064 vs 0.027; pp'DDE 1.187 vs. 0.745; op'DDT 0.016 vs. 0.011; pp'DDT 0.117 vs. 0.099 and Sigma-DDT 1.337 vs. 0.854. The pregnant women group was divided according to age: up to 20, 20-30, and more than 30 years, and presented an increase for the more persistent pesticides with age in terms of mean concentrations and a more pronounced higher correlation in medians levels. Pairing Body Mass Index to organochlorine pesticide mean levels revealed no correlation between these factors in pregnant women.

Hydrochemical and microbiological quality of groundwater in the Merdja area, Tébessa, North-East of Algeria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fehdi, Chemseddine; Rouabhia, Abdelkader; Mechai, Abdelbasset; Debabza, Manel; Abla, Khalida; Voudouris, Kostas

2016-03-01

The aim of this study was to perform a preliminary assessment of the hydrochemical and microbial groundwater quality of the Merdja plain (Tébessa area). Twenty samples of groundwater collected from Bekkaria (Site 1) to Ain Chabro (Site 2) were assessed for their suitability for human consumption. Groundwater from the aquifer in the Merdja area can be divided into two major groups according to geographical locations and chemical compositions. Water in the center part of the study area is characterized by the dominance of chloride, sulfate, sodium, and potassium; whereas waters in the limestone aquifers in the west are dominated by the same cations but have higher concentrations of bicarbonate. Microbiological parameters were determined in 13 groundwater samples collected from the study area. Total coliforms, thermotolerant coliforms, E. coli, Enterococcus spp., Salmonella sp., Staphylococcus spp., and P. aeruginosa were detected in 96.36, 88.18, 100, 47.5, 97.27, 96.7, and 75 % of the groundwater samples, respectively. The pollution of groundwater comes from a variety of sources, Ouadi El Kebir River, including land application of agricultural chemicals and organic wastes, infiltration of irrigation water, septic tanks, and infiltration of effluent from sewage treatment plants, pits, lagoons, and ponds used for storage.

The Accuracy of Estimated Total Test Statistics. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kleinke, David J.

In a post-mortem study of item sampling, 1,050 examinees were divided into ten groups 50 times. Each time, their papers were scored on four different sets of item samples from a 150-item test of academic aptitude. These samples were selected using (a) unstratified random sampling and stratification on (b) content, (c) difficulty, and (d) both.…

40 CFR 761.306 - Sampling 1 meter square surfaces by random selection of halves.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Sampling 1 meter square surfaces by...(b)(3) § 761.306 Sampling 1 meter square surfaces by random selection of halves. (a) Divide each 1 meter square portion where it is necessary to collect a surface wipe test sample into two equal (or as...

40 CFR 761.306 - Sampling 1 meter square surfaces by random selection of halves.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 32 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Sampling 1 meter square surfaces by...(b)(3) § 761.306 Sampling 1 meter square surfaces by random selection of halves. (a) Divide each 1 meter square portion where it is necessary to collect a surface wipe test sample into two equal (or as...

40 CFR 761.306 - Sampling 1 meter square surfaces by random selection of halves.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 32 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Sampling 1 meter square surfaces by...(b)(3) § 761.306 Sampling 1 meter square surfaces by random selection of halves. (a) Divide each 1 meter square portion where it is necessary to collect a surface wipe test sample into two equal (or as...

40 CFR 761.306 - Sampling 1 meter square surfaces by random selection of halves.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Sampling 1 meter square surfaces by...(b)(3) § 761.306 Sampling 1 meter square surfaces by random selection of halves. (a) Divide each 1 meter square portion where it is necessary to collect a surface wipe test sample into two equal (or as...

40 CFR 761.306 - Sampling 1 meter square surfaces by random selection of halves.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 30 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Sampling 1 meter square surfaces by...(b)(3) § 761.306 Sampling 1 meter square surfaces by random selection of halves. (a) Divide each 1 meter square portion where it is necessary to collect a surface wipe test sample into two equal (or as...

COLDEX-86: Fluid and Electrolyte Changes during Prolonged Cold Water Immersion

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-12-01

4 Urine and blood collections .................. ..................... 5 Sample processing and biochemical analyses...and decaffeinated tea and coffee. Ingestion of fluids was encouraged. After completing the immersion, 16 oz of warm apple or cranberry juice was...day. Sample processing and biochemical analyses. Blood samples (25 ml) were drawn from an antecubital vein with minimum stasis. Each sample was divided

Suggested Format and Content of a Work Sample Manual: [With Examples].

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wisconsin Univ. - Stout, Menomonie. Dept. of Rehabilitation and Manpower Services. Materials Development Center.

Work samples are job tasks used as a diagnostic tool in the evaluation of vocational rehabilitation clients. The manual was developed to provide a standardized format for the construction, administration, and interpretation of necessary information from work sample assessment techniques used by vocational evaluators. The outline is divided into…

Effect of oxidative insult on young and adult cardiac muscle cells in vitro.

PubMed

Nag, A C; Sreepathi, P; Lee, M L; Reddan, J R

1996-01-01

The effect of hydrogen peroxide on cultured neonatal and adult cardiac myocytes was investigated. On neonatal cardiac myocytes the effect was very pronounced at a low concentration (0.03 mM), whereas the adult cardiac myocytes were resistant to the same concentration of H2O2. Dividing neonatal cardiac myocytes were more susceptible to H2O2 insult than the non-dividing adult cardiac myocytes. At a concentration of 0.1 mM H2O2, the neonatal cardiac myocytes were significantly damaged compared with the adult cardiac myocytes. Cardiac muscle cells from neonatal and adult hearts at high density culture were more tolerant to the oxidative insult by H2O2 than cells in low density culture. The damaging effect of H2O2 was very selective on F-actin in neonatal and adult cardiac muscle cells. The effect of H2O2 on myosin, titin, alpha-actinin, desmin or tubulin was not pronounced. Microscopical studies suggested a more marked protection by catalase than by glutathione reductase in the neonatal cells.

Variation of rock-forming metals in sub-annual increments of modern Greenland snow

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hinkley, T.K.

1992-01-01

Modern snowpack from central south Greenland was sampled in sub-seasonal increments and analysed for a suite of major, minor and trace rock-forming metals (K, Rb, Cs, Ca, Sr, Ba). There is a sharp seasonal concentration maximum for all six metals that comes in summer, later than mid-June. Metal concentrations in all other parts of the year's snowpack are up to 10 or more times smaller. The concentration maximum is preceded by low values in autumn-winter, very low values in early-mid-spring, and moderate-to-high values in late spring early summer; this pattern is seen consistently in three separate time stratigraphic intervals representing the same seasonal periods, spanning the time interval 1981-1984. The absolute concentration values of the snow strata representing the low-concentration portion of the year, autumn-winter-spring, may vary substantially from year to year, by a factor of two, or more. The finding that all rock-forming metals are at a sharp concentration maximum in late summer contrasts with the interpretations of several other studies in high-latitude northern regions. Those studies have reported a broad maximum of continental dust-associated metals in late winter and spring. However samples of the other studies have mostly come from regions farther to the north, and the analyses have emphasized industrial pollutant metals rather than the matched rock-forming suite of the present study. The metals measured were chosen to give information about the origin and identity of the rock and soil dusts, and sea salts, present as impurities in the snow. Metal ratios indicate that the dusts in the snowpacks are of continental origin and from ferromagnesian rocks. Source rock types for dusts in central south Greenland snow contrast with the felsic rock dusts of the Sierra Nevada, CA, annual snowpacks, and with the very felsic rock dusts in large south central Alaskan mountain glaciers. Samples in which masses of sea salt are much larger than those of rock dusts may be identified by small changes in metal ratios caused by moderate increases of K and Ca from marine sources, nearly unaccompanied by the minor and trace metals Rb, Cs and Ba, that are very rare in the oceans. A sampling frequency, such as that of the present study, that divides a year's accumulation into 8-10 subsamples is sufficient to reveal details of the time pattern of variation in proportions and concentrations of metals that give information about atmospheric deposition of important types of earth materials.Modern snowpack from central south Greenland was sampled in sub-seasonal increments and analyzed for a suite of major, minor and trace rock-forming metals (K, Rb, Cs, Ca, Sr, Ba). There is a sharp seasonal concentration maximum for all six metals that comes in summer, later than mid-June. Metal concentrations in all other parts of the year's snowpack are up to 10 or more times smaller. The concentration maximum is preceded by low values in autumn-winter, very low values in early-mid-spring, and moderate-to-high values in late spring-early summer; this pattern is seen consistently in three separate time stratigraphic intervals representing the same seasonal periods, spanning the time interval 1981-1984. The absolute concentration values of the snow strata representing the low-concentration portion of the year, autumn-winter-spring, may vary substantially from year to year, by a factor of two, or more. The finding that all rock-forming metals are at a sharp concentration maximum in late summer contrasts with the interpretations of several other studies in high-latitude northern regions. Those studies have reported a broad maximum of continental dust-associated metals in late winter and spring. However, samples of the other studies have mostly come from regions farther to the north, and the analyses have emphasized industrial pollutant metals rather than the matched rock-forming suite of the present study. The metals measured were chosen to give informati

Rotary bulk solids divider

DOEpatents

Maronde, Carl P.; Killmeyer, Jr., Richard P.

1992-01-01

An apparatus for the disbursement of a bulk solid sample comprising, a gravity hopper having a top open end and a bottom discharge end, a feeder positioned beneath the gravity hopper so as to receive a bulk solid sample flowing from the bottom discharge end, and a conveyor receiving the bulk solid sample from the feeder and rotating on an axis that allows the bulk solid sample to disperse the sample to a collection station.

ROTARY BULK SOLIDS DIVIDER

DOEpatents

Maronde, Carl P.; Killmeyer JR., Richard P.

1992-03-03

An apparatus for the disbursement of a bulk solid sample comprising, a gravity hopper having a top open end and a bottom discharge end, a feeder positioned beneath the gravity hopper so as to receive a bulk solid sample flowing from the bottom discharge end, and a conveyor receiving the bulk solid sample from the feeder and rotating on an axis that allows the bulk solid sample to disperse the sample to a collection station.

Oral sampling methods are associated with differences in immune marker concentrations.

PubMed

Fakhry, Carole; Qeadan, Fares; Gilman, Robert H; Yori, Pablo; Kosek, Margaret; Patterson, Nicole; Eisele, David W; Gourin, Christine G; Chitguppi, Chandala; Marks, Morgan; Gravitt, Patti

2018-06-01

To determine whether the concentration and distribution of immune markers in paired oral samples were similar. Clinical research. Cross-sectional study. Paired saliva and oral secretions (OS) samples were collected. The concentration of immune markers was estimated using Luminex multiplex assay (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA). For each sample, the concentration of respective immune markers was normalized to total protein present and log-transformed. Median concentrations of immune markers were compared between both types of samples. Intermarker correlation in each sampling method and across sampling methods was evaluated. There were 90 study participants. Concentrations of immune markers in saliva samples were significantly different from concentrations in OS samples. Oral secretions samples showed higher concentrations of immunoregulatory markers, whereas the saliva samples contained proinflammatory markers in higher concentration. The immune marker profile in saliva samples is distinct from the immune marker profile in paired OS samples. 2b. Laryngoscope, 128:E214-E221, 2018. © 2017 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.

Pollution Characteristics and Health Risk Assessment of Airborne Heavy Metals Collected from Beijing Bus Stations

PubMed Central

Zheng, Xiaoxia; Zhao, Wenji; Yan, Xing; Shu, Tongtong; Xiong, Qiulin; Chen, Fantao

2015-01-01

Airborne dust, which contains high levels of toxic metals, is recognized as one of the most harmful environment component. The purpose of this study was to evaluate heavy metals pollution in dustfall from bus stations in Beijing, and to perform a risk assessment analysis for adult passengers. The concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, V and Zn were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). The spatial distribution, pollution level and potential health risk of heavy metals were analyzed by Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping technology, geo-accumulation index and health risk assessment model, respectively. The results indicate that dust samples have elevated metal concentrations, especially for Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. The nine metals can be divided into two categories in terms of spatial distribution and pollution level. Cd, Cr, Cu, Mo, Pb and Zn reach contaminated level and have similar spatial patterns with hotspots distributed within the Fifth Ring Road. While the hot spot areas of Co and V are always out of the Fifth Ring Road. Health risk assessment shows that both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks of selected metals were within the safe range. PMID:26287229

Enhancement of frequency domain indices of heart rate variability by cholinergic stimulation with pyridostigmine bromide.

PubMed

Zarei, Ali Asghar; Foroutan, Seyyed Abbas; Foroutan, Seyyed Mohsen; Erfanian Omidvar, Abbas

2011-01-01

Pyridostigmine bromide (PB) is a reversible cholinesterase inhibitor. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of orally administration of single dose sustained-released tablet of pyridostigmine bromide (PBSR) on the frequency domain indices of heart rate variability (HRV). Thirty-two healthy young men were participated in this study. They were divided into 2 groups; the pyridostigmine group (n = 22) and the placebo group (n = 10). Electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded at 10, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 300 and 420 min after PBSR administration. At each time, simultaneously, a blood sample was prepared and PB plasma concentration was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Statistical analysis showed that in different indices of HRV, there is a significant increase in low frequency (LF) band at 300 min, but no difference in high frequency band (HF). It also showed significant decreases in normalized high frequency band (Hfnu), normalized low frequency band (Lfnu) and LF/HF ratio at 120, 240 and 300 min after PBSR administration. Maximum plasma concentration of PB was 150 min after the administration. In conclusion, administration of a single dose PBSR can enhance the frequency domains indices of HRV and improvesympathovagal balance.

Experimental hyperthyroidism decreases gene expression and serum levels of adipokines in obesity.

PubMed

Luvizotto, Renata de Azevedo Melo; do Nascimento, André Ferreira; de Síbio, Maria Teresa; Olímpio, Regiane Marques Castro; Conde, Sandro José; Lima-Leopoldo, Ana Paula; Leopoldo, André Soares; Cicogna, Antonio Carlos; Nogueira, Célia Regina

2012-01-01

To analyze the influence of hyperthyroidism on the gene expression and serum concentration of leptin, resistin, and adiponectin in obese animals. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: control (C)-fed with commercial chow ad libitum-and obese (OB)-fed with a hypercaloric diet. After group characterization, the OB rats continued receiving a hypercaloric diet and were randomized into two groups: obese animals (OB) and obese with 25 μg triiodothyronine (T(3))/100 BW (OT). The T(3) dose was administered every day for the last 2 weeks of the study. After 30 weeks the animals were euthanized. Samples of blood and adipose tissue were collected for biochemical and hormonal analyses as well as gene expression of leptin, resistin, and adiponectin. T(3) treatment was effective, increasing fT(3) levels and decreasing fT(4) and TSH serum concentration. Administration of T(3) promotes weight loss, decreases all fat deposits, and diminishes serum levels of leptin, resistin, and adiponectin by reducing their gene expression. Our results suggest that T(3) modulate serum and gene expression levels of leptin, resistin, and adiponectin in experimental model of obesity, providing new insights regarding the relationship between T(3) and adipokines in obesity.

Geochemistry of vanadium (V) in Chinese coals.

PubMed

Liu, Yuan; Liu, Guijian; Qu, Qinyuan; Qi, Cuicui; Sun, Ruoyu; Liu, Houqi

2017-10-01

Vanadium in coals may have potential environmental and economic impacts. However, comprehensive knowledge of the geochemistry of V in coals is lacking. In this study, abundances, distribution and modes of occurrence of V are reviewed by compiling >2900 reported Chinese coal samples. With coal reserves in individual provinces as the weighting factors, V in Chinese coals is estimated to have an average abundance of 35.81 μg/g. Large variation of V concentration is observed in Chinese coals of different regions, coal-forming periods, and maturation ranks. According to the concentration coefficient of V in coals from individual provinces, three regions are divided across Chinese coal deposits. Vanadium in Chinese coals is probably influenced by sediment source and sedimentary environment, supplemented by late-stage hydrothermal fluids. Specifically, hydrothermal fluids have relatively more significant effect on the enrichment of V in local coal seams. Vanadium in coals is commonly associated with aluminosilicate minerals and organic matter, and the modes of V occurrence in coal depend on coal-forming environment and coal rank. The Chinese V emission inventory during coal combustion is estimated to be 4906 mt in 2014, accounting for 50.55 % of global emission. Vanadium emissions by electric power plants are the largest contributor.

Elevated glucose levels in early puerperium, and association with high cortisol levels during parturition.

PubMed

Risberg, Anitha; Sjöquist, Mats; Wedenberg, Kaj; Larsson, Anders

2016-07-01

Background Gestational diabetes is one of the commonest metabolic problems associated with pregnancy and an accurate diagnosis is critical for the care. Research has shown that pregnant women have high levels of cortisol during the last stage of parturition. As cortisol is a diabetogenic hormone causing increased glucose levels, we wanted to study the association between cortisol and glucose levels during parturition. Materials and methods Glucose and cortisol were analyzed during parturition in 50 females divided according to slow (n = 11) and normal labors (n = 39). Blood samples were analyzed three times during the parturition and four times in the first day after delivery. Glucose levels were also measured once in each trimester. Results In the normal group, the glucose concentration increased from 6.2 (IQR 5.6-8.0) mmol/L in the latency phase to 11.6 (10.0-13.3) mmol/L at aftercare (p < 0.05). After parturition the glucose concentrations decreased gradually. There were significant Spearman rank correlations between glucose and cortisol values. Conclusions The changes associated with birth cause significant elevations of cortisol and glucose around parturition.

The influence of fluoride varnish on the attrition of dentine.

PubMed

Li, H; Watson, T F; Sherriff, M; Curtis, R; Bartlett, D W

2007-01-01

Previous investigations have shown the potential for fluoride to be protective in an abrasion/erosion laboratory model. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of high concentrations of fluoride delivered in a varnish on attrition of dentine. Fifteen caries-free, intact lower third molar teeth were sectioned and the enamel removed by a water-cooled diamond disc. Polished dentine surfaces were divided into 8 areas, 4 of which were randomly covered with a high-concentration fluoride varnish for 24 h. The samples were subjected to 5,000 cycles of attrition bathed under artificial saliva. Microhardness testing adjacent to the wear scars showed no statistical difference between the fluoride-treated (71.42 KHN, SD 10.52) and control surfaces (72.66 KHN, SD 9.69). The volume of the wear scar was statistically greater for the fluoride-treated surface at 9.6 microm(3) (SD 4.92) and 8.13 microm(3) (SD 5.54) for the control areas (p = 0.029). The low pH of the fluoride varnish appears to have increased the amount of wear from attrition in this laboratory study. Copyright 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Screening of trace elements in hair of the female population with different types of cancers in Wielkopolska region of Poland.

PubMed

Czerny, Bogusław; Krupka, Krzysztof; Ożarowski, Marcin; Seremak-Mrozikiewicz, Agnieszka

2014-01-01

Cancer constitutes a major health problem worldwide. Thus, search for reliable and practical markers of the disease process remains the key issue of the diagnostic process. The study aims at linking the trace element status of an organism, assessed by hair analysis, with the occurrence of cancer diseases. Hair samples were collected from 299 patients with cancer diseases confirmed by a histopathological test and from 100 controls. Cancer patients were divided into three groups, depending on cancer type: hormone-dependent cancer, cancer of the alimentary tract, and cancer with high glycolytic activity. Mineral element analysis of hair was performed using an atomic emission spectrophotometer with inductively coupled plasma (ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Statistically significantly lower concentrations of selenium, zinc, copper, germanium and boron, iron, and magnesium were observed in the three groups of cancer patients. Disturbance in the axis glucose-insulin and changes in concentrations of heavy metals and toxic elements were also noted. It seems safe to conclude that our results confirmed usefulness of hair element analysis in screening tests for the assessment of the biomarker of various cancer diseases in a female population.

Pollution Characteristics and Health Risk Assessment of Airborne Heavy Metals Collected from Beijing Bus Stations.

PubMed

Zheng, Xiaoxia; Zhao, Wenji; Yan, Xing; Shu, Tongtong; Xiong, Qiulin; Chen, Fantao

2015-08-17

Airborne dust, which contains high levels of toxic metals, is recognized as one of the most harmful environment component. The purpose of this study was to evaluate heavy metals pollution in dustfall from bus stations in Beijing, and to perform a risk assessment analysis for adult passengers. The concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, V and Zn were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). The spatial distribution, pollution level and potential health risk of heavy metals were analyzed by Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping technology, geo-accumulation index and health risk assessment model, respectively. The results indicate that dust samples have elevated metal concentrations, especially for Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. The nine metals can be divided into two categories in terms of spatial distribution and pollution level. Cd, Cr, Cu, Mo, Pb and Zn reach contaminated level and have similar spatial patterns with hotspots distributed within the Fifth Ring Road. While the hot spot areas of Co and V are always out of the Fifth Ring Road. Health risk assessment shows that both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks of selected metals were within the safe range.

Measurement of food flavonoids by high-performance liquid chromatography: A review.

PubMed

Merken, H M; Beecher, G R

2000-03-01

The flavonoids are plant polyphenols found frequently in fruits, vegetables, and grains. Divided into several subclasses, they include the anthocyanidins, pigments chiefly responsible for the red and blue colors in fruits, fruit juices, wines, and flowers; the catechins, concentrated in tea; the flavanones and flavanone glycosides, found in citrus and honey; and the flavones, flavonols, and flavonol glycosides, found in tea, fruits, vegetables, and honey. Known for their hydrogen-donating antioxidant activity as well as their ability to complex divalent transition metal cations, flavonoids are propitious to human health. Computer-controlled high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has become the analytical method of choice. Many systems have been developed for the detection and quantification of flavonoids across one, two, or three subclasses. A summary of the various HPLC and sample preparation methods that have been employed to quantify individual flavonoids within a subclass or across several subclasses are tabulated in this review.

C-reactive protein as a marker of periodontal disease.

PubMed

Kanaparthy, Rosaiah; Kanaparthy, Aruna; Mahendra, Muktishree

2012-01-01

Periodontal subgingival pathogens affect local and systemic immune and inflammatory response and cause the release of cytokines; this results in periodontal destruction and initiation of an acute phase systemic inflammatory response characterized by the release of C-reactive proteins (CRP). This study set out to evaluate the serum concentration of CRP that can be used as a marker of periodontal disease as well as a risk indicator for cardiovascular disease. Based on their periodontal status, 45 patients were divided into three groups. The following clinical parameters were recorded: plaque index, gingival index, bleeding index, probing pocket depth, and clinical attachment levels. Scoring was done on six tooth surfaces for all teeth. For the CRP assessment, blood samples were collected from subjects at the time of clinical examination. The results indicated an increase in serum CRP levels in patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis and chronic periodontitis as compared to controls.

A biosensor for cadmium based on bioconvective patterns

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Noever, David A.; Matsos, Helen C.

1990-01-01

An 'in vitro' method for monitoring cadmium, one of the most lethal bivalent heavy metals, can detect biologically active levels. The effects of cadmium tend to concentrate in protozoa far above natural levels and therein begin transferring through freshwater food chains to animals and humans. In a small sample volume (approximately 5 ml) the method uses the toxic response to the protozoa, Tetrahymena pyriformis, to cadmium. The assay relies on macroscopic bioconvective patterns to measure the toxic response, giving a sensitivity better than 1 micro-g/1 and a toxicity threshold to 7 micro-g/1 for Cd(2+). Cadmium hinders pattern formation in a dose-dependent manner. Arrested organism growth arises from slowed division and mutation to non-dividing classes. Unlike previous efforts, this method can be performed in a shallow flow device and does not require electronic or chemical analyses to monitor toxicity.

Analysis of rare earth elements in coal fly ash using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thompson, Robert L.; Bank, Tracy; Montross, Scott; Roth, Elliot; Howard, Bret; Verba, Circe; Granite, Evan

2018-05-01

Reference standard NIST SRM 1633b and FA 345, a fly ash sample from an eastern U.S. coal power plant, were analyzed to determine and quantify the mineralogical association of rare earth elements (REE). These analyses were completed using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and a scanning electron microscope, equipped with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM-EDS). Internal standardization was avoided by quantifying elemental concentrations by normalizing to 100% oxides. Mineral grains containing elevated REE concentrations were found in diverse chemical environments, but were most commonly found in regions where Al and Si were predominant. Dividing the spot analyses into time segments yielded plots that showed the REE content changing over time as individual mineral grains were being ablated. SEM-EDS images of FA 345 confirmed the trends that were found in the LA-ICP-MS results. Small grains of apatite, monazite, or zircon were frequently observed as free mineral grains or embedded in amorphous aluminosilicate glass and were not associated with ferrous particles. This finding is consistent with previous reports that magnetic enrichment may be an effective way of concentrating non-magnetic REE phases. Furthermore, aggressive mechanical and chemical-based separation schemes will be required to separate and recover REE from aluminosilicate glass.

Effects of Short-Period Whole-Body Vibration of 20 Hz on Selected Blood Biomarkers in Wistar Rats.

PubMed

Monteiro, Milena de Oliveira Bravo; de Sá-Caputo, Danúbia da Cunha; Carmo, Fernanda Santos do; Bernardo, Raquel Mattos; Pacheco, Raphaelle; Arnóbio, Adriano; Guimarães, Carlos Alberto Sampaio; Bernardo, Luciana Camargo; Santos-Filho, Sebastião David; Asad, Nasser Ribeiro; Unger, Marianne; Marin, Pedro Jesus; Bernardo-Filho, Mario

2015-08-31

There is a growing interest in the use of vibration generated by oscillating/vibratory platforms - also known as whole-body vibration (WBV) - for achieving therapeutic, preventative and/or physical performance goals. This study investigated the effects of vibration generated by an oscillating platform on the concentration of blood biomarkers in rats. Wistar rats (n = 8) were divided in 2 groups, sedated and individually positioned on an oscillating platform. The experimental group (EG) was subjected to vibrations of 20 Hz for one min per day for one week while the control group (CG) experienced no vibration. Samples of heparinized whole blood were drawn by cardiac puncture for biochemical analysis. Concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, VLDL, glucose, CK, albumin, alkaline phosphates, TGP, TGO, γGT, lipase, amylase, urea and creatinine were determined. White blood cell count and a platelet hemogram were also performed. Following seven sessions of exposure to the vibration, a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in γGT, VLDL and leukocytes was found. A weekly 1-min/day exposure of 20 Hz vibration can was shown to alter the concentrations of selected blood biomarkers in rats. The action mechanism associated with these effects seems highly complex, but the findings might contribute to the understanding of these mechanisms related to the exposure to 20 Hz vibration.

Dietary supplemental Kluyveromyces marxianus alters the serum metabolite profile in broiler chickens.

PubMed

Wang, Weiwei; Li, Zhui; Gan, Liping; Fan, Hao; Guo, Yuming

2018-06-18

Metabolomics is used to evaluate the bioavailability of food components, as well as to validate the metabolic changes associated with food consumption. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of the dietary supplement Kluyveromyces marxianus on the serum metabolite profile in broiler chickens. A total of 240 1-d-old broilers were divided into 2 groups with 8 replicates. Birds were fed basal diets without or with K. marxianus supplementation (5 × 1010 CFU kg-1 of diet). Serum samples were collected on d 21 and were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of flight/mass spectrometry. The results showed that supplemental K. marxianus altered the concentrations of a variety of metabolites in the serum. Thereinto, a total of 39 metabolites were identified at higher (P < 0.05) concentrations while 21 metabolites were identified at lower (P < 0.05) concentrations in the treatment group as compared with the control. These metabolites were primarily involved with the regulation of amino acids and carbohydrate metabolism. Further metabolic pathway analysis revealed that glutamine and glutamate metabolism was the most relevant and critical pathway identified from these two groups. The activated pathway may partially interpret the beneficial effects of K. marxianus. Overall, the present research could promote our understanding of the probiotic action of K. marxianus and provide new insight into the design and application of K. marxianus-containing functional foods.

[CALCULATION OF THE PROBABILITY OF METALS INPUT INTO AN ORGANISM WITH DRINKING POTABLE WATERS].

PubMed

Tunakova, Yu A; Fayzullin, R I; Valiev, V S

2015-01-01

The work was performed in framework of the State program for the improvement of the competitiveness of Kazan (Volga) Federal University among the world's leading research and education centers and subsidies unveiled to Kazan Federal University to perform public tasks in the field of scientific research. In the current methodological recommendations "Guide for assessing the risk to public health under the influence of chemicals that pollute the environment," P 2.1.10.1920-04 there is regulated the determination of quantitative and/or qualitative characteristics of the harmful effects to human health from exposure to environmental factors. We proposed to complement the methodological approaches presented in P 2.1.10.1920-04, with the estimation of the probability of pollutants input in the body with drinking water which is the greater, the higher the order of the excess of the actual concentrations of the substances in comparison with background concentrations. In the paper there is proposed a method of calculation of the probability of exceeding the actual concentrations of metal cations above the background in samples of drinking water consumed by the population, which were selected at the end points of consumption in houses and apartments, to accommodate the passage of secondary pollution ofwater pipelines and distributing paths. Research was performed on the example of Kazan, divided into zones. The calculation of probabilities was made with the use of Bayes' theorem.

[Effect of tobacco consumption on the spermatogenesis in males with idiopathic infertility].

PubMed

Reina Bouvet, Beatriz; Vicenta Paparella, Cecilia; Nestor Feldman, Rodolfo

2007-04-01

Our objective was to relate the tobacco with seminal spermatogenic parameters such as sperm morphology, concentration of spermatozoids and germinal cells in samples of semen from men with idiopatic infertility. A prospective study was carried out on a population of 131 men with idiopatic infertility that attended the Reproduction Service of Centenario Hospital in Rosario from may 2004 to june 2006. Sperm study according to WHO was carried out evaluating germinal cells and sperm morphology with Papannicolaou. The concentration of spermatozoids was determined by means of a subjective method with Neubauer camera. The studied population was divided in the three groups: G1: smokers more of 20 cigarettes/day, G2: smokers under 20 cigarettes/day, G3 non smokers. The smokers had had the habit for over a year. Results were analyzed with the student's t-test. Statistically significant differences between G1 vs G3 (p<0.001) and G2 vs G3 (p<0.005) were found for the three variables. No significant difference was found between the groups of smokers G1 vs G2 (p>0.1). The results show that tobacco alters sperm concentration and morphology with an increase of immature forms, demonstrating an altered spermatogenesis process. The consumption of tobacco should be evaluated to carry out the integral study of infertile man.

Relation between bile acid reflux into the stomach and the risk of atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia: a multicenter study of 2283 cases.

PubMed

Matsuhisa, Takeshi; Arakawa, Tetsuo; Watanabe, Tetsuo; Tokutomi, Tadashi; Sakurai, Kouichi; Okamura, Seisuke; Chono, Shinji; Kamada, Tomoari; Sugiyama, Atsushi; Fujimura, Yoshinori; Matsuzawa, Kenji; Ito, Masanori; Yasuda, Mitsugu; Ota, Hiroyoshi; Haruma, Ken

2013-09-01

The relationship between bile acid reflux into the stomach and the risk of atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia is still not well understood. Towards obtaining a better understanding, concentrations of bile acids were measured. This study was carried out with the participation of 14 facilities in Japan, and 2283 samples were collected. The subjects with bile acid concentrations equal to or higher than the limit of detection were divided into four groups of equal size (group A: 0-25%, group B: 26-50%, group C: 51-75%, and group D: 76-100%). Thus, including the control group, there were five groups in total. The odds that the control group would develop atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia was set as 1,and the odds ratios (OR) in groups A, B, C and D were calculated based on the odds in the control group. Regarding the development of atrophic gastritis, no increased risk was observed in either the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-positive or -negative cases. The OR for the development of intestinal metaplasia were significantly higher, for both cases with and without H. pylori infection, in group D. High concentrations of bile acid seem to be associated with an elevated risk of intestinal metaplasia. © 2013 The Authors. Digestive Endoscopy © 2013 Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society.

In vivo nanotoxicological profile of graphene oxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Durán, Marcela; Durán, Nelson; Fávaro, Wagner J.

2017-06-01

Graphene oxide, a widely studied nano materials, exhibits numerous beneficial effects in medical devices. The graphene sample Graphene oxide (GO):Single-layer graphene oxide, purity 99%, thickness 0.7-1.2 nm (AFM); ~300-800nm X&Y dimensions is the standard size <450 nm & 1-20 µm lateral dimensions from Cheap Tubes Inc., Bratleboro, USA was selected for this study. Characterization of GO and stability were previously studied. All the assays were carried out at a concentration of 1 mg/mL (stock suspension by ultrasonication)(stable 10 days). In this study the first parameter evaluated was in animal toxicity in acute and chronic responses. The second one was to observe the morphology and histological changes on major organs, like signs of inflammatory areas. A total of 25 rats (Fischer 344) were divide in 5 groups (n = 5 animals): negative control group (NCT); Positive cancer control group (PCCT); GO group-1 (GO 1); GO group-2 (GO 2) and GO group-3 (GO 3), with different concentrations of graphene oxide. All the groups were treated by via intra peritoneal (i.p) administration. Biochemical and histopathology results of acute toxicity showed no alterations. In the chronic toxicity was found deposit sections and morphology alterations in different tissues (inflammations). Genotoxicity was dose dependent of GO. This study gave us the limit concentrations of GO free for any biological study.

Relation between gastric histology and gastric juice pH and nitrite and N-nitroso compound concentrations in the stomach after surgery for duodenal ulcer.

PubMed Central

Watt, P C; Sloan, J M; Donaldson, J; Campbell, G; Kennedy, T L

1984-01-01

Formation of N-nitroso compounds in gastric juice has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer in the stomach after operation. Gastric juice was aspirated from 85 subjects: 23 were controls, 51 had previously undergone vagotomy and gastrojejunostomy, and 11 had previously undergone vagotomy and pyloroplasty. The gastric juice samples were analysed for pH, nitrite, and total N-nitroso compounds. A significant correlation was found between pH and nitrite concentration (p less than 0.01). No significant correlation was found between pH and total N-nitroso compound concentration or between nitrite and N-nitroso compound concentration. The vagotomy and gastrojejunostomy patients had higher pH values and higher concentrations of nitrites and N-nitroso compounds than controls (p = 0.01 in all cases). The 51 vagotomy and gastrojejunostomy patients also underwent endoscopy and biopsy. They were divided into three groups: group 1 (21 patients) had no intestinal metaplasia and no more than mild dysplasia; group 2 (20 patients) had intestinal metaplasia; and group 3 (10 patients) had moderate or severe dysplasia. Groups 2 and 3 both had higher pH values and higher nitrite concentrations than group 1 (p = 0.01 in all cases). There was no significant difference, however, between either group 2 or 3 and group 1 for total N-nitroso compound concentration. Since there was no simple linear relation between pH and N-nitroso compound concentration, it was concluded that formation of N-nitroso compounds at high pH was unlikely to be involved in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer in the hypochlorhydric stomach after operation. The relation between nitrite and histological abnormality was not associated with a similar relation between N-nitroso compounds and histological abnormality. It therefore appears that there is no simple relation between N-nitroso compounds and the pathogenesis of premalignant gastric mucosal changes. PMID:6725597

Concentrations and composition profiles of parabens in currency bills and paper products including sanitary wipes.

PubMed

Liao, Chunyang; Kannan, Kurunthachalam

2014-03-15

Parabens (alkyl esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid) are widely used as antimicrobial preservatives in personal care products, pharmaceuticals, and foodstuffs. Although parabens have been reported to be used as antimicrobials in certain types of papers (e.g., wet sanitary or hygiene wipes), little is known about the occurrence of these compounds in paper products. In this study, we determined the concentrations of six paraben analogs, methyl (MeP), ethyl (EtP), propyl (PrP), butyl (BuP), benzyl (BzP), and heptyl parabens (HepP), in 253 paper products divided into 18 categories, using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). At least one of the six parabens was detected in almost all (detection rate: 98%) paper samples, and the total concentrations (∑PBs; sum of six parabens) ranged from 1.85 to 3,220,000 ng/g (geometric mean (GM): 103; median: 55.1 ng/g). Sanitary wipes contained very high concentrations of ∑PBs (GM: 8300 ng/g). Paper currencies, tickets, business cards, food cartons, flyers, and newspapers contained notable concentrations of ∑PBs, and the GM concentrations in these paper categories were on the order of a few tens to thousands of nanograms per gram. One source of parabens in paper products is the use of these chemicals as antifungal agents. MeP and PrP were the predominant analogs, accounting for approximately 62% and 16% of the total concentrations of parabens, respectively. On the basis of measured concentrations and frequency of handling of paper products, we estimated the daily intake (EDI) of parabens through dermal absorption. The GM and 95th percentile EDI values were 6.31 and 2050 ng/day, respectively, for the general population. Among the paper categories analyzed, sanitary wipes contributed to the majority (>90%) of the exposures. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The effects of atmospheric nitrogen deposition in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and southern Wyoming - A synthesis and critical assessment of published results

USGS Publications Warehouse

Burns, Douglas A.

2002-01-01

The Rocky Mountain region of Colorado and southern Wyoming receives as much as 7 kilograms per hectare per year ((kg/ha)/yr) of atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition, an amount that may have caused changes in aquatic and terrestrial life in otherwise pristine ecosystems. The Rocky Mountain National Park, in its role of protecting air-quality related values under provisions of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977, has provided support for this synthesis and critical assessment of published literature on the effects of atmospheric N deposition. Results from published studies indicate a long-term increase in the rate of atmospheric N deposition during the 20th century, but no region-wide increase during the past 2 decades, although the rate of atmospheric N deposition has increased at three sites east of the Continental Divide in the Front Range region since the mid-1980s. Much of the increase in atmospheric N deposition at all three sites has resulted from an increase in the ammonium concentrations of wet deposition; this suggests an increase in contributions from agricultural areas or from vehicle traffic east of the Rocky Mountains. Lakes at two study sites in the Front Range (Loch Vale and Green Lakes Valley) had NO3- concentrations of 30 to 40 micromoles per liter (µmol/L) during early spring snowmelt and remained at 5 to 10 µmol/L during summer. Retention of N in atmospheric wet deposition in some sub-catchments of these lakes was less than 50 percent, which reflects an advanced stage of N saturation. Nitrate concentrations in surface waters west of the Continental Divide were lower—often less than 10 µmol/L during snowmelt and less than 2 µmol/L during summer -- than surface waters east of the Divide, except in areas such as the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness that receive elevated amounts of atmospheric N deposition of 4 to 5 (kg/ha)/yr. Atmospheric N deposition in the Front Range east of the Divide may have altered the composition of alpine tundra-plant communities and lake diatoms, but additional studies would be needed to definitively demonstrate the hypothesized cause-and-effect relations. Rates of N-mineralization and nitrification in soils of the Front Range have increased in response to increased atmospheric N deposition. Projected future population growth and energy use in Colorado and the west increase the likelihood that the subtle effects of atmospheric N deposition now evident in the Front Range will become more pronounced and widespread in the future. The likelihood of future increased N emissions along the Front Range warrants a continuation of existing long-term precipitation and surface-water chemistry monitoring programs, and an expansion of the networks into areas that receive large amounts of atmospheric N deposition, but currently lack adequate monitoring. Long-term study and expanded sampling are needed to address uncertainties about the effects of atmospheric N deposition on terrestrial plant communities, nutrient limitation in lake plankton, shifts of dominant species within diatom communities, and on amphibian response to episodic surface-water acidification.

Gold Nanoparticles for the Detection of DNA Adducts as Biomarkers of Exposure to Acrylamide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Larguinho, Miguel Angelo Rodrigues

The main objective of this thesis was the development of a gold nanoparticle-based methodology for detection of DNA adducts as biomarkers, to try and overcome existing drawbacks in currently employed techniques. For this objective to be achieved, the experimental work was divided in three components: sample preparation, method of detection and development of a model for exposure to acrylamide. Different techniques were employed and combined for de-complexation and purification of DNA samples (including ultrasonic energy, nuclease digestion and chromatography), resulting in a complete protocol for sample treatment, prior to detection. The detection of alkylated nucleotides using gold nanoparticles was performed by two distinct methodologies: mass spectrometry and colorimetric detection. In mass spectrometry, gold nanoparticles were employed for laser desorption/ionisation instead of the organic matrix. Identification of nucleotides was possible by fingerprint, however no specific mass signals were denoted when using gold nanoparticles to analyse biological samples. An alternate method using the colorimetric properties of gold nanoparticles was employed for detection. This method inspired in the non-cross-linking assay allowed the identification of glycidamide-guanine adducts and DNA adducts generated in vitro. For the development of a model of exposure, two different aquatic organisms were studies: a goldfish and a mussel. Organisms were exposed to waterborne acrylamide, after which mortality was recorded and effect concentrations were estimated. In goldfish, both genotoxicity and metabolic alterations were assessed and revealed dose-effect relationships of acrylamide. Histopathological alterations were verified primarily in pancreatic cells, but also in hepatocytes. Mussels showed higher effect concentrations than goldfish. Biomarkers of oxidative stress, biotransformation and neurotoxicity were analysed after prolonged exposure, showing mild oxidative stress in mussel cells, and induction of enzymes involved in detoxification of oxygen radicals. A qualitative histopathological screening revealed gonadotoxicity in female mussels, which may present some risk to population equilibrium.

Thyroid hormone concentrations in foals affected by perinatal asphyxia syndrome.

PubMed

Pirrone, Alessandro; Panzani, Sara; Govoni, Nadia; Castagnetti, Carolina; Veronesi, Maria Cristina

2013-10-01

The hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis has specific functions, mostly related to metabolic activities, cell differentiation, and development. To the authors' knowledge, there are no studies about thyroid hormone (TH) concentrations in foals affected by perinatal asphyxia syndrome (PAS). Hence, the aims of the study are (1) to evaluate plasma TH concentrations (T3 and T4) in healthy foals during the first 7 days of life; (2) to evaluate plasma TH concentration (T3 and T4) in critically ill foals affected by PAS during the first 7 days of hospitalization; and (3) to compare TH concentrations between surviving and nonsurviving critically ill foals. Forty-five Standardbred foals were enrolled in this prospective observational study: 21 healthy foals (group 1) and 24 foals affected by PAS (group 2). Jugular blood samples were collected within 10 minutes from birth/admission and every 24 hours for 7 days (t0-t7). TH concentrations were analyzed by RIA. In both groups, T3 concentration was significantly lower at t4, t5, t6, and t7 compared with t1 (P < 0.05), and T4 concentration was significantly higher at birth than at all other time points (P < 0.01). No differences were found in TH concentrations at admission between surviving (n = 20) and nonsurviving (n = 4) foals. Statistical comparison between healthy and PAS foals divided into age groups showed significantly lower TH concentrations at t0 in PAS foals <12 hours old at admission (P < 0.01). In conclusion, PAS may cause lower T3 and T4 concentrations in affected foals than in age-matched healthy foals, as reported for other systemic illnesses, such as sepsis and prematurity. TH concentrations showed no prognostic value, which maybe due to the small number of nonsurviving foals in this study. Further studies are needed to find out if thyroid replacement therapy could be useful in the treatment of critically ill foals affected by PAS. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SAMPLING OF TANK 19 IN F TANK FARM

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Harris, S.; Shine, G.

2009-12-14

Representative sampling is required for characterization of the residual material in Tank 19 prior to operational closure. Tank 19 is a Type IV underground waste storage tank located in the F-Tank Farm. It is a cylindrical-shaped, carbon steel tank with a diameter of 85 feet, a height of 34.25 feet, and a working capacity of 1.3 million gallons. Tank 19 was placed in service in 1961 and initially received a small amount of low heat waste from Tank 17. It then served as an evaporator concentrate (saltcake) receiver from February 1962 to September 1976. Tank 19 also received the spentmore » zeolite ion exchange media from a cesium removal column that once operated in the Northeast riser of the tank to remove cesium from the evaporator overheads. Recent mechanical cleaning of the tank removed all mounds of material. Anticipating a low level of solids in the residual waste, Huff and Thaxton [2009] developed a plan to sample the waste during the final clean-up process while it would still be resident in sufficient quantities to support analytical determinations in four quadrants of the tank. Execution of the plan produced fewer solids than expected to support analytical determinations in all four quadrants. Huff and Thaxton [2009] then restructured the plan to characterize the residual separately in the North and the South regions: two 'hemispheres.' This document provides sampling recommendations to complete the characterization of the residual material on the tank bottom following the guidance in Huff and Thaxton [2009] to split the tank floor into a North and a South hemisphere. The number of samples is determined from a modification of the formula previously published in Edwards [2001] and the sample characterization data for previous sampling of Tank 19 described by Oji [2009]. The uncertainty is quantified by an upper 95% confidence limit (UCL95%) on each analyte's mean concentration in Tank 19. The procedure computes the uncertainty in analyte concentration as a function of the number of samples, and the final number of samples is determined when the reduction in the uncertainty from an additional sample no longer has a practical impact on results. The characterization of the full suite of analytes in the North and South hemispheres is currently supported by a single Mantis rover sample in each hemisphere. A floor scrape sample was obtained from a compact region near the center riser slightly in the South hemisphere and has been analyzed for a shortened list of key analytes. There is not enough additional material from the floor scrape sample material for completing the full suite of constituents. No floor scrape samples have been previously taken from the North hemisphere. The criterion to determine the number of additional samples was based on the practical reduction in the uncertainty when a new sample is added. This was achieved when five additional samples are obtained. In addition, two archived samples will be used if a contingency such as failing to demonstrate the comparability of the Mantis samples to the floor scrape samples occurs. To complete sampling of the Tank 19 residual floor material, four additional samples should be taken from the North hemisphere and four additional samples should be taken from the South hemisphere. One of the samples from each hemisphere will be archived in case of need. Three of the four additional samples from each hemisphere will be analyzed. Once the results are available, differences between the Mantis and three floor scrape sample results will be evaluated. If there are no statistically significant analyte concentration differences between the Mantis and floor scrape samples, those results will be combined and then UCL95%s will be calculated. If the analyte concentration differences between the Mantis and floor scrape samples are statistically significant, the UCL95%s will be calculated without the Mantis sample results. If further reduction in the upper confidence limits is needed and can be achieved by the addition of the archived samples, they will be analyzed and included in the statistical computations. Initially the analyte concentrations in the residual material on the floor of Tank 19 will be determined separately in the North and the South hemispheres. However, if final sampling results show that differences between the North and South samples are consistent within sampling variation, then the final computations can be based on consolidating all sample results from the tank floor. Recommended locations may be subject to physical tank access and sampling constraints for the additional samples. The recommendations have been discussed in Section 4 and are based on partitioning the Tank 19 floor into an inner and an outer ring and six 60{sup o} sectors depicted in Figure 1. The location of the border between the inner and outer rings is based on dividing the residual material into two approximately equal volumes.« less

Summary geochemical maps for samples of rock, stream sediment, and nonmagnetic heavy-mineral concentrate, Sweetwater Roadless Area, Mono County, California and Lyon and Douglas Counties, Nevada

USGS Publications Warehouse

Chaffee, Maurice A.

1986-01-01

Map A shows the locations of all sites where rock samples were collected for this report and the distributions of anomalous concentrations for 12 elements in the 127 rock samples collected. In a similar manner, map B shows the collection sites for 59 samples of minus-60-mesh stream sediment, and 59 samples of nonmagnetic heavy-mineral concentrate derived from stream sediment and also shows the distributions of anomalous concentrations for 13 elements in the stream-sediment samples and 17 elements in the concentrate samples. Map C shows outlines of those drainage basins containing samples of stream sediment and concentrate with anomalous element concentrations and also shows weighted values for each outlined basin based on the number of elements with anomalous concentrations in each stream-sediment and concentrate sample and on the degree to which these concentrations are anomalous in each sample.

Matrix Analysis of the Digital Divide in eHealth Services Using Awareness, Want, and Adoption Gap

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background The digital divide usually refers to access or usage, but some studies have identified two other divides: awareness and demand (want). Given that the hierarchical stages of the innovation adoption process of a customer are interrelated, it is necessary and meaningful to analyze the digital divide in eHealth services through three main stages, namely, awareness, want, and adoption. Objective By following the three main integrated stages of the innovation diffusion theory, from the customer segment viewpoint, this study aimed to propose a new matrix analysis of the digital divide using the awareness, want, and adoption gap ratio (AWAG). I compared the digital divide among different groups. Furthermore, I conducted an empirical study on eHealth services to present the practicability of the proposed methodology. Methods Through a review and discussion of the literature, I proposed hypotheses and a new matrix analysis. To test the proposed method, 3074 Taiwanese respondents, aged 15 years and older, were surveyed by telephone. I used the stratified simple random sampling method, with sample size allocation proportioned by the population distribution of 23 cities and counties (strata). Results This study proposed the AWAG segment matrix to analyze the digital divide in eHealth services. First, awareness and want rates were divided into two levels at the middle point of 50%, and then the 2-dimensional cross of the awareness and want segment matrix was divided into four categories: opened group, desire-deficiency group, perception-deficiency group, and closed group. Second, according to the degrees of awareness and want, each category was further divided into four subcategories. I also defined four possible strategies, namely, hold, improve, evaluate, and leave, for different regions in the proposed matrix. An empirical test on two recently promoted eHealth services, the digital medical service (DMS) and the digital home care service (DHCS), was conducted. Results showed that for both eHealth services, the digital divides of awareness, want, and adoption existed across demographic variables, as well as between computer owners and nonowners, and between Internet users and nonusers. With respect to the analysis of the AWAG segment matrix for DMS, most of the segments, except for people with marriage status of Other or without computers, were positioned in the opened group. With respect to DHCS, segments were separately positioned in the opened, perception-deficiency, and closed groups. Conclusions Adoption does not closely follow people’s awareness or want, and a huge digital divide in adoption exists in DHS and DHCS. Thus, a strategy to promote adoption should be used for most demographic segments. PMID:22329958

Concentration of Donepezil in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of AD Patients: Evaluation of Dosage Sufficiency in Standard Treatment Strategy.

PubMed

Valis, Martin; Masopust, Jiri; Vysata, Oldrich; Hort, Jakub; Dolezal, Rafael; Tomek, Jiri; Misik, Jan; Kuca, Kamil; Karasova, Jana Zdarova

2017-01-01

Although some studies have described the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of donepezil in the peripheral compartment, studies focused on drug transport across the blood-brain barrier are still very rare. To our knowledge, the fluctuation in the cerebrospinal fluid concentration of donepezil after administration of the drug has not been described in the literature so far. We recruited 16 patients regularly taking a standard therapeutic dose of donepezil (10 mg per day). All patients (Caucasian race) were treated for at least three months with a stable dose of 10 mg per day prior to sample collection. Patients were divided into two groups depending on the time of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid sampling: 12 h (n = 9; 4 M/5F aged 78.68 ± 7.35 years) and 24 h (n = 7; 3 M/4F aged 77.14 ± 5.87 years) after donepezil administration. The cerebrospinal fluid sample was collected by standard lumbar puncture technique using a single-use traumatic needle. The samples were analysed on an Agilent 1260 Series liquid chromatograph comprising a degasser, a quaternary pump, a light-tight autosampler unit set, a thermostated column compartment, and a UV/VIS detector. Agilent ChemStation software, the statistical software Prism4, version 5.0 (GraphPad Software, USA), and IBM ® SPSS ® Statistics were used for the analysis of the results. The difference in plasma concentration of donepezil after 12 h (mean ± SEM; 39.99 ± 5.90 ng/ml) and after 24 h (29.38 ± 1.71 ng/ml) was nonsignificant. In contrast, the donepezil concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid was significantly higher in the 24-h interval (7.54 ± 0.55 ng/ml) compared with the 12-h interval (5.19 ± 0.83 ng/ml, which is ~70 % based on mean cerebrospinal fluid values). Based on these data, it is plausible to predict that donepezil might produce a stronger AChE inhibition in the brain at 24 h compared with 12 h following the administration. This information may help physicians individually adjust the time of drug administration in the patients according to time course of the disease symptoms.

The Effect of Fermi Questions in the Development of Science Processes Skills in Physics among Jordanian Ninth Graders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barahmeh, Haytham Mousa; Hamad, Adwan Mohammad Bani; Barahmeh, Nabeel Mousa

2017-01-01

This study aimed at exploring the effect of Fermi question on the development of science process skills in the physics subject at ninth Grade students. The sample of the study consisted of (2) classes for males and (2) classes for females, which were randomly divided into (2) groups: An experimental group of (41) students divided into a class of…

[Anaphylactoid reactions inducing effect of polysorbate 80 and polysorbate 80 contained Houttuynia cordata injection on beagle].

PubMed

Sun, Wei-wei; Li, Yi-kui; Zhang, Jin-yan

2011-01-01

To evaluate the sensitization effect of polysorbate 80 and polysorbate 80 contained Houttuynia cordata Injection in different concentrations on Beagle. Beagles, a kind of animal highly sensitive to sensitizing agents, were randomly divided into 18 groups, 3 in each group. They received respectively the intravenous infusion of polysorbate 80 made by different factories in different concentrations (0.25%, 0.10%, 0.05%), and Houttuynia cordata Injection containing polysorbate 80 in concentration of 0.25% or 0.30%, with the constant infusing speed of 5 mL/min and volume of 10 mL/kg. Changes of animals' condition were observed before infusion and in the 24 h after infusion, time of symptom appearance and disappearance was recorded, and the grade of response was determined. Moreover, blood samples of animals were collected before infusion and 10 min after ending infusion for measuring histamine content in plasma using ELISA. Then the sensitization effect was comprehensively estimated by combined consideration of the responding grade and histamine level. No typical symptom of anaphylactoid reaction and over 1-fold increase of histamine level was found in all groups that received intravenous infusion of polysorbate 80 or polysorbate 80 contained Houttuynia cordata Injection in different concentrations. Estimation showed that all test solutions didn't induce typical anaphylactoid reaction on Beagle. Considering both the appearance of symptoms and the elevation of blood content of histamine could be taken as the criteria for comprehensive diagnosis of anaphylactoid reactions. The solubilization effect and safety (for foreclose anaphylactoid reaction) of polysorbate 80 could be ensured by controlling its quality and concentration below 0.25% or 0.30%.

Strong, weak, and missing links in a microbial community of the N.W. Mediterranean Sea.

PubMed

Bettarel, Y; Dolan, J R; Hornak, K; Lemée, R; Masin, M; Pedrotti, M-L; Rochelle-Newall, E; Simek, K; Sime-Ngando, T

2002-12-01

Planktonic microbial communities often appear stable over periods of days and thus tight links are assumed to exist between different functional groups (i.e. producers and consumers). We examined these links by characterizing short-term temporal correspondences in the concentrations and activities of microbial groups sampled from 1 m depth, at a coastal site of the N.W. Mediterranean Sea, in September 2001 every 3 h for 3 days. We estimated the abundance and activity rates of the autotrophic prokaryote Synechococcus, heterotrophic bacteria, viruses, heterotrophic nanoflagellates, as well as dissolved organic carbon concentrations. We found that Synechococcus, heterotrophic bacteria, and viruses displayed distinct patterns. Synechococcus abundance was greatest at midnight and lowest at 21:00 and showed the common pattern of an early evening maximum in dividing cells. In contrast, viral concentrations were minimal at midnight and maximal at 18:00. Viral infection of heterotrophic bacteria was rare (0.5-2.5%) and appeared to peak at 03:00. Heterotrophic bacteria, as % eubacteria-positive cells, peaked at midday, appearing loosely related to relative changes in dissolved organic carbon concentration. Bacterial production as assessed by leucine incorporation showed no consistent temporal pattern but could be related to shifts in the grazing rates of heterotrophic nanoflagellates and viral infection rates. Estimates of virus-induced mortality of heterotrophic bacteria, based on infection frequencies, were only about 10% of cell production. Overall, the dynamics of viruses appeared more closely related to Synechococcus than to heterotrophic bacteria. Thus, we found weak links between dissolved organic carbon concentration, or grazing, and bacterial activity, a possibly strong link between Synechococcus and viruses, and a missing link between light and viruses.

Toxic metals in Venics lagoon sediments: Model, observation, an possible removal

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Basu, A.; Molinaroli, E.

1994-11-01

We have modeled the distribution of nine toxic metals in the surface sediments from 163 stations in the Venice lagoon using published data. Three entrances from the Adriatic Sea control the circulation in the lagoon and divide it into three basins. We assume, for purposes of modeling, that Porto Marghera at the head of the Industrial Zone area is the single source of toxic metals in the Venice lagoon. In a standing body of lagoon water, concentration of pollutants at distance x from the source (C{sub 0}) may be given by C=C{sub 0}e{sup -kx} where k is the rate constantmore » of dispersal. We calculated k empirically using concentrations at the source, and those farthest from it, that is the end points of the lagoon. Average k values (ppm/km) in the lagoon are: Zn 0.165, Cd 0.116, Hg 0.110, Cu 0.105, Co 0.072, Pb 0.058, Ni 0.008, Cr (0.011) and Fe (0.018 percent/km), and they have complex distributions. Given the k values, concentration at source (C{sub 0}), and the distance x of any point in the lagoon from the source, we have calculated the model concentrations of the nine metals at each sampling station. Tides, currents, floor morphology, additional sources, and continued dumping perturb model distributions causing anomalies (observed minus model concentrations). Positive anomalies are found near the source, where continued dumping perturbs initial boundary conditions, and in areas of sluggish circulation. Negative anomalies are found in areas with strong currents that may flush sediments out of the lagoon. We have thus identified areas in the lagoon where higher rate of sediment removal and exchange may lesson pollution. 41 refs., 4 figs., 3 tabs.« less

Earthing the Human Body Influences Physiologic Processes

PubMed Central

Sokal, Karol

2011-01-01

Abstract Objectives This study was designed to answer the question: Does the contact of the human organism with the Earth via a copper conductor affect physiologic processes? Subjects and experiments Five (5) experiments are presented: experiment 1—effect of earthing on calcium–phosphate homeostasis and serum concentrations of iron (N = 84 participants); experiment 2—effect of earthing on serum concentrations of electrolytes (N = 28); experiment 3—effect of earthing on thyroid function (N = 12); experiment 4—effect of earthing on glucose concentration (N = 12); experiment 5—effect of earthing on immune response to vaccine (N = 32). Subjects were divided into two groups. One (1) group of people was earthed, while the second group remained without contact with the Earth. Blood and urine samples were examined. Results Earthing of an electrically insulated human organism during night rest causes lowering of serum concentrations of iron, ionized calcium, inorganic phosphorus, and reduction of renal excretion of calcium and phosphorus. Earthing during night rest decreases free tri-iodothyronine and increases free thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormone. The continuous earthing of the human body decreases blood glucose in patients with diabetes. Earthing decreases sodium, potassium, magnesium, iron, total protein, and albumin concentrations while the levels of transferrin, ferritin, and globulins α1, α2, β, and γ increase. These results are statistically significant. Conclusions Earthing the human body influences human physiologic processes. This influence is observed during night relaxation and during physical activity. Effect of the earthing on calcium–phosphate homeostasis is the opposite of that which occurs in states of weightlessness. It also increases the activity of catabolic processes. It may be the primary factor regulating endocrine and nervous systems. PMID:21469913

Stability of Doxycycline in Feed and Water and Minimal Effective Doses in Tetracycline-Inducible Systems

PubMed Central

Redelsperger, Irka M; Taldone, Tony; Riedel, Elyn R; Lepherd, Michelle L; Lipman, Neil S; Wolf, Felix R

2016-01-01

Despite the extensive use of doxycycline in tetracycline-inducible rodent models, little is known regarding its stability in feed or water or the most effective route or dose. We assessed the concentrations of doxycycline in reverse-osmosis–purified (RO; pH 6.0) and acidified RO (pH 2.6) water in untinted or green-tinted bottles. Doxycycline remained stable in all groups for 7 d and in acidified water in untinted bottles for 14 d. Fungal growth occurred in nonacidified water in tinted and untinted bottles by 12 and 14 d, respectively, and in tinted bottles containing acidified water on day 14, but not in untinted bottles with acidified water. Doxycycline concentrations were also assessed before and at various points after the pelleting of feed from 2 vendors. Each batch was divided for storage at 4 °C, at room temperature, or within ventilated mouse isolator cages and then sampled monthly for 6 mo. Drying caused the greatest decline in doxycycline concentration, whereas γ-irradiation plus shipping and storage condition had minimal effect. Two mouse lines with tetracycline-inducible promoters received 25, 150, or 467 µg/mL or 2 mg/mL doxycycline in water and 200 or 625 ppm in feed before analysis of GFP expression. GFP was expressed in Rosa-rtTA2 mice at 150 µg/mL, whereas Cags-rtTA3 mice required 25 µg/mL. These studies indicate that 1) doxycycline-compounded feed can be handled in the same manner as standard rodent feed, 2) tinted water bottles are not necessary for maintaining drug concentrations, and 3) concentrations lower than those used typically may be effective in lines with tetracycline-inducible promoters. PMID:27423155

Earthing the human body influences physiologic processes.

PubMed

Sokal, Karol; Sokal, Pawel

2011-04-01

This study was designed to answer the question: Does the contact of the human organism with the Earth via a copper conductor affect physiologic processes? Subjects and experiments: Five (5) experiments are presented: experiment 1-effect of earthing on calcium-phosphate homeostasis and serum concentrations of iron (N = 84 participants); experiment 2-effect of earthing on serum concentrations of electrolytes (N = 28); experiment 3-effect of earthing on thyroid function (N = 12); experiment 4-effect of earthing on glucose concentration (N = 12); experiment 5-effect of earthing on immune response to vaccine (N = 32). Subjects were divided into two groups. One (1) group of people was earthed, while the second group remained without contact with the Earth. Blood and urine samples were examined. Earthing of an electrically insulated human organism during night rest causes lowering of serum concentrations of iron, ionized calcium, inorganic phosphorus, and reduction of renal excretion of calcium and phosphorus. Earthing during night rest decreases free tri-iodothyronine and increases free thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormone. The continuous earthing of the human body decreases blood glucose in patients with diabetes. Earthing decreases sodium, potassium, magnesium, iron, total protein, and albumin concentrations while the levels of transferrin, ferritin, and globulins α1, α2, β, and γ increase. These results are statistically significant. Earthing the human body influences human physiologic processes. This influence is observed during night relaxation and during physical activity. Effect of the earthing on calcium-phosphate homeostasis is the opposite of that which occurs in states of weightlessness. It also increases the activity of catabolic processes. It may be the primary factor regulating endocrine and nervous systems.

Passive smoking and risk of coronary heart disease and stroke: prospective study with cotinine measurement

PubMed Central

Whincup, Peter H; Gilg, Julie A; Emberson, Jonathan R; Jarvis, Martin J; Feyerabend, Colin; Bryant, Andrew; Walker, Mary; Cook, Derek G

2004-01-01

Objective To examine the associations between a biomarker of overall passive exposure to tobacco smoke (serum cotinine concentration) and risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. Design Prospective population based study in general practice (the British regional heart study). Participants 4729 men in 18 towns who provided baseline blood samples (for cotinine assay) and a detailed smoking history in 1978-80. Main outcome measure Major coronary heart disease and stroke events (fatal and non-fatal) during 20 years of follow up. Results 2105 men who said they did not smoke and who had cotinine concentrations < 14.1 ng/ml were divided into four equal sized groups on the basis of cotinine concentrations. Relative hazards (95% confidence intervals) for coronary heart disease in the second (0.8-1.4 ng/ml), third (1.5-2.7 ng/ml), and fourth (2.8-14.0 ng/ml) quarters of cotinine concentration compared with the first (≥ 0.7 ng/ml) were 1.45 (1.01 to 2.08), 1.49 (1.03 to 2.14), and 1.57 (1.08 to 2.28), respectively, after adjustment for established risk factors for coronary heart disease. Hazard ratios (for cotinine 0.8-14.0 ν ≥ 0.7 ng/ml) were particularly increased during the first (3.73, 1.32 to 10.58) and second five year follow up periods (1.95, 1.09 to 3.48) compared with later periods. There was no consistent association between cotinine concentration and risk of stroke. Conclusion Studies based on reports of smoking in a partner alone seem to underestimate the risks of exposure to passive smoking. Further prospective studies relating biomarkers of passive smoking to risk of coronary heart disease are needed. PMID:15229131

Effect of sildenafil citrate (Viagra®) on trace element concentration in serum and brain of rats.

PubMed

Fayed, Abdel-Hasseb A; Gad, Shereen B

2011-12-01

As a vasodilator with good hemodynamic effects, sildenafil has been successfully used in the treatment of patients with pulmonary hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. By selectively inhibiting phosphodiestrase type 5 (PDE-5) and thus effectively reducing the breakdown of c GMP, sildenafil administration can markedly improve the erectile dysfunction. Sildenafil also elevates localized cerebral blood flow in rat brain. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of sildenafil on the level of trace elements (Zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), selenium (Se), cobalt (Co), and chromium (Cr)) in blood and brain of rats. Sixteen male albino rats weighing 180-200 g were divided into two groups (8 rats/group). Sildenafil (Viagra, Pfizer Inc.) was dissolved in saline and administered at a dose of 10mg/kg i.p. (0.5 ml volume) to rats in the treated group every 72 h for 12 injections. Rats in the control group were administered the same volume of saline as in treated group. All rats were sacrificed 24h after the last injection. Blood samples were collected and serum was separated and stored at -20°C. Brains were dissected and stored frozen until analysis. Trace elements concentrations were determined by flame emission atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results showed that sildenafil injection significantly (P<0.05) increased serum and brain Se and Cu concentrations. Moreover, sildenafil increased the Cr concentration in the brain tissue. It was concluded that sildenafil citrate administration increased serum Se and Cu as well as, increased brain Se, Cu, and Cr concentrations in rats. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Non-methane hydrocarbons source apportionment at different sites in Mexico City during 2002-2003

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vega, E.; Sanchez, G.; Molina, L.

2007-09-01

The atmospheric concentrations of a variety of non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC) collected at different sites, representing urban and rural environments within Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA) during 1997, 2002 and 2003 field campaigns, were compared and used as an input for the Chemical Mass Balance (CMB) receptor model to determine the source contribution of NMHC to the atmosphere. A common feature at all the locations was the dominance of alkenes (59%), aromatics (16%) and olefins (9%) in the average NMHC burden. At the urban sites the interquartile range of NMHC concentrations showed stabilization over this period with a slight increase in the concentrations of propane and butanes in the southwest site of the MCMA in 2003 due to the increased use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The receptor model CMB version 8.0 was used to apportion the NMHC sources at six locations within the MCMA, representing the heavily industrialized, commercial, residential and rural areas. For the 2003 field campaign, the contribution of vehicular emissions dominated the NMHC concentrations (19.7%±7.1% for gasoline vehicles and 35.4%±17.5% for diesel vehicles) followed by the emissions of marketing and handling of LPG (29.9%±8.0%). The NMHC concentrations showed a weekly cycle with the highest levels towards the end of the week and lowest at weekend and beginning of the week, suggesting that both emissions and accumulations process play a key role in building up NMHC levels. The toluene to benzene ratio was used to determine photochemical ageing of the air samples during the 2003 field campaign. The database was divided into periods with similar wind circulation pattern; the results suggest that ageing process within the MCMA is generally suppressed by the amount of fresh emissions.

Phosphorus, nitrogen and chlorophyll-a are significant factors controlling ciliate communities in summer in the northern Beibu Gulf, South China Sea.

PubMed

Wang, Yibo; Zhang, Wenjing; Lin, Yuanshao; Cao, Wenqing; Zheng, Lianming; Yang, Jun

2014-01-01

Ciliates (protozoa) are ubiquitous components of plankton community and play important roles in aquatic ecosystems in regards of their abundance, biomass, diversity and energy turnover. Based on the stratified samples collected from the northern Beibu Gulf in August 2011, species composition, abundance, biomass, diversity and spatial pattern of planktonic ciliates were studied. Furthermore the main environmental factors controlling ciliate communities were determined. A total of 101 species belonging to 44 genera and 7 orders (i.e., Oligotrichida, Haptorida, Euplotida, Sessilida, Pleurostomatida, Scuticociliatida and Tintinnida) were identified. The variation of ciliate communities was significant at horizontal level, but that was not at vertical level. Based on cluster analysis, ciliate communities were divided into three main groups. Redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed that Group A, existing in the waters with higher concentration of phosphorus and nitrogen, was dominated by Tintinnidium primitivum. Group B in the waters with lower temperature and chlorophyll-a concentration, was dominated by Leegaardiella ovalis. Group C, existing in the waters with higher temperature and chlorophyll-a concentration, was dominated by large Strombidium spp. and Mesodinium rubrum. Combining multiple analytic methods, our results strongly supported that phosphorus, nitrogen and chlorophyll-a were the most significant factors affecting the ciliate communities in the northern Beibu Gulf in summer. Concentration of phosphorus and nitrogen primarily influenced ciliate biomass, implying a potential impact of eutrophication on ciliate growth. The correlation with chlorophyll-a concentration, on one hand indicate the response of ciliates to the food availability, and on the other hand, the ciliates containing chloroplasts or endosymbionts may contribute greatly to the chlorophyll-a.

Limited Sampling Strategy for Estimating Mycophenolic Acid Exposure on Day 7 Post-Transplant for Two Mycophenolate Mofetil Formulations Derived From 20 Chinese Renal Transplant Recipients.

PubMed

Cai, W; Cai, Q; Xiong, N; Qin, Y; Lai, L; Sun, X; Hu, Y

2018-06-01

To assess the pharmacokinetic properties of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) dispersible tablets and capsules by the enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique (EMIT) in Chinese kidney transplant recipients in the early post-transplantation phase and to develop the equations to predict mycophenolic acid (MPA) area under the 12-hour concentration-time curve (AUC 0-12h ) using a limited sampling strategy (LSS). Forty patients who underwent renal transplantation from brain-dead donors were randomly divided into dispersible tablets (Sai KE Ping; Hangzhou Zhongmei Huadong Pharma) and capsules (Cellcept; Roche Pharma, Why, NSW, Australia) groups, and treated with MMF combined with combination tacrolimus and prednisone as a basic immunosuppressive regimen. Blood samples were collected before treatment (0) and at 0.5,1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 hours post-treatment and 7 days after renal transplantation. Plasma MPA concentrations were measured using EMIT. LSS equations were identified using multiple stepwise linear regression analysis. The peak concentration (C max ) in the MMF dispersible tablets (MMFdt) group (7.0 ± 2.8) mg/L was reduced compared with that in the MMF capsules (MMFc) group (10.8 ± 6.2 mg/L; P = .012); time to peak concentration in the MMFdt group was 3.2 ± 2.3 hours, which was nonsignificantly elevated compared with that of the MMFc group (2.2 ± 1.7 hours). Three-point estimation formulas were generated by multiple linear regression for both groups: MPA-AUC MMFdt  = 3.542 + 3.332C 0.5h  + 1.117C 1.5h  + 3.946C 4h (adjusted r 2  = 0.90, P < .001); MPA-AUC MMFc  = 8.149 + 1.442C 2h  + 1.056C 4h  + 7.133C 6h (adjusted r 2  = 0.88, P < .001). Both predicted and measured AUCs showed good consistency. After treatment with MMF dispersible tables or MMF capsules, the C max of MPA for the MMFdt group was significantly lower than that of the MMFc group; there was no significant difference in other pharmacokinetic parameters. Three-time point equations can be used as a predictable measure of the AUC 0-12h of MPA. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Effect of feed restriction on reproductive and metabolic hormones in dairy cows.

PubMed

Ferraretto, L F; Gencoglu, H; Hackbart, K S; Nascimento, A B; Dalla Costa, F; Bender, R W; Guenther, J N; Shaver, R D; Wiltbank, M C

2014-02-01

The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effects of feed restriction (FR) on serum glucose, nonesterified fatty acids, progesterone (P4), insulin, and milk production in dairy cows. Eight multiparous Holstein cows, 114 ± 14 d pregnant and 685 ± 39 kg of body weight, were randomly assigned to a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 14-d periods. During the first 8 d of each period, cows in all treatments were fed for ad libitum feed intake. Beginning on d 9 of each period, cows received 1 of 4 treatments: ad libitum (AL), 25% feed restriction (25 FR), 50% feed restriction (50 FR), and 50% of TMR replaced with wheat straw (50 ST). Daily feed allowance was divided into 3 equal portions allocated every 8h with jugular blood samples collected immediately before each feeding through d 14. In addition, on d 12 of each period, blood samples were collected before and at 60, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360, 420, and 480 min after morning feeding. The conventional total mixed ration and total mixed ration with straw averaged 15.1 and 10.8%, 32.1 and 50.5%, and 26.8 and 17.0% for concentrations of crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and starch, respectively. Cows that were feed and energy restricted had reduced dry matter intake, net energy for lactation intake, circulating glucose concentrations, and milk production, but greater body weight and body condition score losses than AL cows. Circulating concentrations of insulin were lower for cows fed 50 FR (8.27 μIU/mL) and 50 ST (6.24 μIU/mL) compared with cows fed AL (16.65 μIU/mL) and 25 FR (11.16 μIU/mL). Furthermore, the greatest plasma nonesterified fatty acids concentration was observed for 50 ST (647.7 μ Eq/L), followed by 50 FR (357.5 μEq/L), 25 FR (225.3 μEq/L), and AL (156.3 μEq/L). In addition, serum P4 concentration was lower for cows fed AL than cows fed 50 ST and 25 FR. Thus, FR reduced circulating glucose and insulin but increased P4 concentration, changes that may be positive in reproductive management programs. Copyright © 2014 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effect of feed restriction on reproductive and metabolic hormones in dairy cows

PubMed Central

Ferraretto, L. F.; Gencoglu, H.; Hackbart, K. S.; Nascimento, A. B.; Costa, F. Dalla; Bender, R. W.; Guenther, J. N.; Shaver, R. D.; Wiltbank, M. C.

2018-01-01

The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effects of feed restriction (FR) on serum glucose, nonesterified fatty acids, progesterone (P4), insulin, and milk production in dairy cows. Eight multiparous Holstein cows, 114 ± 14 d pregnant and 685 ± 39 kg of body weight, were randomly assigned to a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 14-d periods. During the first 8 d of each period, cows in all treatments were fed for ad libitum feed intake. Beginning on d 9 of each period, cows received 1 of 4 treatments: ad libitum (AL), 25% feed restriction (25FR), 50% feed restriction (50FR), and 50% of TMR replaced with wheat straw (50ST). Daily feed allowance was divided into 3 equal portions allocated every 8 h with jugular blood samples collected immediately before each feeding through d 14. In addition, on d 12 of each period, blood samples were collected before and at 60, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360, 420, and 480 min after morning feeding. The conventional total mixed ration and total mixed ration with straw averaged 15.1 and 10.8%, 32.1 and 50.5%, and 26.8 and 17.0% for concentrations of crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and starch, respectively. Cows that were feed and energy restricted had reduced dry matter intake, net energy for lactation intake, circulating glucose concentrations, and milk production, but greater body weight and body condition score losses than AL cows. Circulating concentrations of insulin were lower for cows fed 50FR (8.27 μIU/mL) and 50ST (6.24 μIU/mL) compared with cows fed AL (16.65 μIU/mL) and 25FR (11.16 μIU/mL). Furthermore, the greatest plasma nonesterified fatty acids concentration was observed for 50ST (647.7 μEq/L), followed by 50FR (357.5 μEq/L), 25FR (225.3 μEq/L), and AL (156.3 μEq/L). In addition, serum P4 concentration was lower for cows fed AL than cows fed 50ST and 25FR. Thus, FR reduced circulating glucose and insulin but increased P4 concentration, changes that may be positive in reproductive management programs. PMID:24359832

Seasonal and temporal variation in release of antibiotics in hospital wastewater: estimation using continuous and grab sampling.

PubMed

Diwan, Vishal; Stålsby Lundborg, Cecilia; Tamhankar, Ashok J

2013-01-01

The presence of antibiotics in the environment and their subsequent impact on resistance development has raised concerns globally. Hospitals are a major source of antibiotics released into the environment. To reduce these residues, research to improve knowledge of the dynamics of antibiotic release from hospitals is essential. Therefore, we undertook a study to estimate seasonal and temporal variation in antibiotic release from two hospitals in India over a period of two years. For this, 6 sampling sessions of 24 hours each were conducted in the three prominent seasons of India, at all wastewater outlets of the two hospitals, using continuous and grab sampling methods. An in-house wastewater sampler was designed for continuous sampling. Eight antibiotics from four major antibiotic groups were selected for the study. To understand the temporal pattern of antibiotic release, each of the 24-hour sessions were divided in three sub-sampling sessions of 8 hours each. Solid phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to determine the antibiotic residues. Six of the eight antibiotics studied were detected in the wastewater samples. Both continuous and grab sampling methods indicated that the highest quantities of fluoroquinolones were released in winter followed by the rainy season and the summer. No temporal pattern in antibiotic release was detected. In general, in a common timeframe, continuous sampling showed less concentration of antibiotics in wastewater as compared to grab sampling. It is suggested that continuous sampling should be the method of choice as grab sampling gives erroneous results, it being indicative of the quantities of antibiotics present in wastewater only at the time of sampling. Based on our studies, calculations indicate that from hospitals in India, an estimated 89, 1 and 25 ng/L/day of fluroquinolones, metronidazole and sulfamethoxazole respectively, might be getting released into the environment per 100 hospital beds.

Using geochemical and isotopic techniques for exploration of geothermal energy in Southern Sabalan geothermal field, NW Iran

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Masoumi, Rahim

2017-04-01

From a hydrogeochemical point of view the geothermal fluids in the study area can be divided into two categories, (1) Na-Cl and (2) Na-Ca-HCO3. In the study area, the hot water samples depict temperature and pH ranges of 22 °C to 77 °C and 6.4 to 7.3, respectively. The total dissolved solids vary from 456 mg/L to 7006 mg/L. The concentration of rare metallic and non-metallic elements such as Li, Rb, B, Ba, Sr, CS, Se, Al, As, Hg in cold and hot spring waters in the Bushdi area were also analyzed. The utmost concentration belongs to Se which ranges from 135 mg/L to 273 mg/L. Boron also shows notable concentration values, in most samples it exceeds 20 mg/L, and in certain samples it ranges from 28 mg/L to 33.5 mg/L. The concentration value of arsenic ranges from 3 mg/L to 4 mg/L. The maximum concentration value of mercury is 0.01 mg/L. The δ18O values of these samples vary from -12.4 ‰ to -7.5 ‰ and the δD values range from -78.6 ‰ to -70.6 ‰. Plotting δ18O versus δD demonstrates that the data points are clustered close to both, the global meteoric water line (GMWL) with the equation δD = 8 δ18O + 10 and, the national meteoric water line (NMWL) with the equation δD = 6.89 δ18O + 6.57. As can be observed, the geothermal fluids in the Bushdi area show relatively slight increase in δ18O values that may be caused by interaction of hot fluids with host volcanic rocks. In fact, this relatively slight increment in δ18O values may indicate the low to moderate temperature of the geothermal system. The δD values, in general, do not show notable variation because of very low hydrogen content of the host rocks. The slight increase in δD, however, may be in conjunction with vaporization and isotopic interaction with the host rocks. The 3H content of the cold and hot waters in the Bushdi area is relatively high and varies from 0.65 TU to 41.4 TU. This may be caused either by mixing with meteoric sources or rapid fluid flow within the system in a shorter time than the β- disintegration of the isotope 3H. The δ18O versus δD diagram demonstrates that the data for the Bushdi area is plotted in three distinct domains, a, b, c. In a, the 3H content is > 10 TU indicating these waters being modern waters. Domain b belongs to samples whose 3H values are within the range of 1 TU to 10 TU being temporally categorized as sub-modern waters. The water samples in c possess 3H values < 1 TU indicating the oldest waters within the geothermal system in the study area. Key words: Geothermal fluids, Stable isotopes, Tracemetals, Sabalan volcano.

Practical Cost-Optimization of Characterization and Remediation Decisions at DNAPL Sites with Consideration of Prediction Uncertainty

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-05-01

well] TR GWsampC sampling and analysis cost per groundwater sample [$K/sample] i TR boreC cost per soil boring [$K/boring] TR SOILsampC cost per... soil sample analyzed [$K/sample] d annual discount rate [-] DNAPL dense nonaqueous phase liquid (E0, N0) raw easting and northing field...kg] fE fraction of non-monitoring variable costs attributable to energy use [-] Fi total soil and/or groundwater samples divided by pre

Radial metal concentration profiles in trees growing on highly contaminated soils.

PubMed

Superville, Pierre-Jean; de Winter, Niels; Phung, Anh Tuan; Proix, Nicolas; Baeyens, Willy; Gao, Yue

2017-04-01

The soil around Metaleurop, a big smelter, is heavily contaminated by Zn, Pb, Cd and Cu. In order to compare the impact of different soil amendments on the metal availability to trees, the polluted soil section was divided in a reference parcel and two others with either sulfo-calcic or silico-aluminous ash amendments. Five different tree species were planted on the parcels and the uptake of heavy metals in these trees was studied. Total and labile metal fractions were assessed in each of the 3 parcels. The mobility and assimilation of the metals was highest in the non-amended, reference soil parcel which had the lowest pH, organic matter and carbonate content. In all soils, pH decreased while organic matter content and mobility of the metals increased over time. Highest bulk concentrations of trace metals were found in white willow trees (Salix alba L.). Laser ablation-ICPMS was used to study changes in metal accumulation over a period of 10 years after planting the trees. The radial metal profiles in the trunk core samples varied between elements and tree species, however, in all willow trees the radial Cd and Zn profiles were significantly correlated. Radial pollutant concentration patterns are discussed in terms of seasonal effects, health status, tree species and metal mobility in the soil. For Cd and Zn, the profiles were influenced by their mobility in the soils. In general, periodical patterns were observed for Pb. Cu concentration profiles were decreasing over time, with the strongest decrease in the initial growth period. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Dental caries and fluorosis in children consuming water with different fluoride concentrations in Maiquetia, Vargas State, Venezuela].

PubMed

Montero, Maglynert; Rojas-Sanchez, Fátima; Socorro, Mairobys; Torres, José; Acevedo, Ana María

2007-03-01

The objective of this study was to determine the experience of fluorosis and dental caries in 8- 12 year old children that drink water with different fluoride concentrations, from Maiquetía, Vargas State. Four hundred and twenty-one children were evaluated and divided in groups of 84 children each, according with their age (8-9-10-11) but 85 for the age 12. This evaluation was developed by a calibrated dentist using Dean's Index for dental fluorosis examining only the six upper anterior teeth and DMFT/dmft index to determine dental caries, following the criteria established by the WHO. In addition, a social status questionnaire was given to the subjects and samples of water and salt from the communities were collected. Thirty-three per cent of the children in this study were males and 67% were females. Results indicated that the mean DMFT and dmft were 0.91 and 1.88, respectively, showing a total of 2.17 teeth with dental caries being the decayed component, the highest component observed in both dentitions. The mean prevalence of dental fluorosis for the studied population was 16.6%, where the very mild category (8.5%) predominated. Maria May was the most affected school with dental fluorosis (41.5%) and the fluoride concentration in drinking water after analyses was 1.58%. The results of this study indicate the presence of an inverse relationship between fluoride concentrations in the water collected at the schools and the prevalence of dental fluorosis in the permanent dentition of school children, but not in the primary dentition.

Does leukocyte-poor or leukocyte-rich platelet-rich plasma applied with biopolymers have superiority to conventional platelet-rich plasma applications on chondrocyte proliferation?

PubMed

Yaşar Şirin, Duygu; Yılmaz, İbrahim; İsyar, Mehmet; Öznam, Kadir; Mahiroğulları, Mahir

2017-12-01

This study aims to investigate the possible effects of leukocyte concentration in the content of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and the administration of PRP using a drug delivery system on chondrocyte proliferation in vitro conditions. Blood from nine male patients (mean age 65 years; range 49 to 81 years) with advanced stage osteoarthritis who had not responded to medical or conservative treatments and underwent total knee arthroplasty was used to prepare two formulations: PRP with low concentration leukocytes (2000-4000 leukocytes/µL) was designated as pure PRP (P-PRP), whereas PRP with high concentration leukocytes (9000-11000 leukocytes/µL) as leukocyte-rich PRP (L-PRP). Samples were divided into five groups as control group (group 1), chondrocyte cultures with P-PRP applied directly (group 2), chondrocyte cultures with L-PRP applied directly (group 3), chondrocytes co-cultured with P-PRP applied hydrogel (group 4), and chondrocytes co-cultured with L-PRP applied hydrogel (group 5). In all groups; cell morphology, viability and proliferation were compared with the expression of stage-specific embryonic antigen-1 (SSEA-1), a precondrocyte marker. Maximum cell proliferation and SSEA-1 expression occurred in group 4, with a statistically significant correlation between SSEA-1 expression and cell proliferation. Our study showed the importance of leukocyte concentration of PRP and efficiency of delivery systems such as hydrogel and that L-PRP administered with a delivery system is more efficient than conventional applications of PRP in the treatment of cartilage damage.

Seating type and cognitive performance after 3 hours travel by high-speed boat in sea states 2-3.

PubMed

McMorris, Terry; Myers, Stephen; Dobbins, Trevor; Hall, Ben; Dyson, Rosemary

2009-01-01

Transit in high-speed marine craft subjects occupants to a rough ride as the boat impacts the waves. This induces high levels of physical stress, which may inhibit cognitive performance during military operations and life-saving activities. Land-based research suggests that suspension seats reduce vibration and, therefore, stress. We hypothesized that subjects using suspension seats would demonstrate better cognitive performance, lower perceptions of exertion, fatigue, and sleepiness, and lower salivary concentrations of cortisol than those using fixed seats. Subjects, naval personnel, were divided into fixed (N = 6) and suspension seat (N = 6) groups. Subjects undertook forward and backward number recall and random number generation tests pre- and post-transit (3 h in sea states 2-3). Salivary cortisol concentrations were sampled pre- (1100 h) and post-transit (1700 h) and at the same times on a control day. Post-transit perceptions of exertion, fatigue, and sleepiness were measured subjectively. The suspension seat group demonstrated better performance post-transit than the fixed seat group for forward number recall and showed a significant pre- to post-transit improvement in backward number recall. The suspension seat group reported less fatigue and sleepiness. The suspension seat group had significantly higher salivary cortisol concentrations than the fixed seat group post-transit. Regression analyses found a quadratic correlation between delta cortisol concentrations and delta random number generation scores (R2 = 0.68). Results show that the use of suspension seats during transit in high-speed marine craft may be advantageous with regard to cognitive performance.

Chemical Composition and Microhardness of Human Enamel Treated with Fluoridated Whintening Agents. A Study in Situ

PubMed Central

Petta, Thais de Mendonça; do Socorro Batista de Lima Gomes, Yasmin; Antunes Esteves, Renata; do Carmo Freitas Faial, Kelson; Souza D`Almeida Couto, Roberta; Martins Silva, Cecy

2017-01-01

Background: Dental whitening has been increasingly sought out to improve dental aesthetics, but may cause chemical and morphological changes in dental enamel surfaces. Objective: Assess in situ the effects of high-concentration hydrogen peroxide with and without fluoride on human dental enamel using the ion chromatography test (IC) and the Knoop hardness test (KHN). Material and Methods: Nineteen enamel specimens were prepared using third human molars. These specimens were fixed on molars of volunteers and were divided into groups: OP38-Opalescence Boost PF38%, PO37-Pola Office 37.5% and CO-Control group. For chemical analysis (n= 3), the dentin layer was removed, keeping only the enamel, which was subjected to acidic digestion by microwave radiation. It was necessary to perform sample dilutions for the elements fluorine (F), calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) for quantification using the IC test. The KHN (n= 5) was performed before and after the treatments. Five indentations were made, separated by 100 µm, for each specimen using a load of 25 gf for 5 seconds in the microdurometer. The data were analyzed using ANOVA with a 5% significance level. Results: The OP38 group had the largest concentrations of F, Ca and P ions. The PO37 group showed the lowest concentrations of F and Ca ions. The average KHN was not significantly different between the OP38 and PO37 groups. Conclusion: Enamel whitened with hydrogen peroxide containing fluoride had greater concentrations of F, Ca and P ions. The presence of fluoride in the whitening agent did not influence the enamel microhardness. PMID:28405245

Supplemental effect of varying L-cysteine concentrations on the quality of cryopreserved boar semen

PubMed Central

Kaeoket, Kampon; Chanapiwat, Panida; Tummaruk, Padet; Techakumphu, Mongkol

2010-01-01

Cryopreservation is associated with the production of reactive oxygen species, which leads to lipid peroxidation of the sperm membrane and consequently a reduction in sperm motility and decreased fertility potential. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal concentration of L-cysteine needed for cryopreservation of boar semen. Twelve boars provided semen of proven motility and morphology for this study. The semen was divided into four portions in which the lactose-egg yolk (LEY) extender used to resuspend the centrifuged sperm pellet was supplemented with various concentrations of L-cysteine to reach 0 mmol L−1 (group I, control), 5 mmol L−1 (group II), 10 mmol L−1 (group III) and 15 mmol L−1 (group IV). Semen suspensions were loaded in straws (0.5 mL) and placed in a controlled-rate freezer. After cryopreservation, frozen semen samples were thawed and investigated for progressive motility, viability using SYBR-14/EthD-1 staining and acrosome integrity using FITC-PNA/EthD-1 staining. There was a significantly higher (P < 0.01) percentage of progressive motility, viability and acrosomal integrity in two L-cysteine-supplemented groups (group II and group III) compared with the control. There was a biphasic effect of L-cysteine, with the highest percentage of progressive motility, viability and acrosomal integrity in group III. In conclusion, 5 or 10 mmol L−1 was the optimum concentration of L-cysteine to be added to the LEY extender for improving the quality of frozen–thawed boar semen. PMID:20601963

Oxidative stress of brain and liver is increased by Wi-Fi (2.45GHz) exposure of rats during pregnancy and the development of newborns.

PubMed

Çelik, Ömer; Kahya, Mehmet Cemal; Nazıroğlu, Mustafa

2016-09-01

An excessive production of reactive oxygen substances (ROS) and reduced antioxidant defence systems resulting from electromagnetic radiation (EMR) exposure may lead to oxidative brain and liver damage and degradation of membranes during pregnancy and development of rat pups. We aimed to investigate the effects of Wi-Fi-induced EMR on the brain and liver antioxidant redox systems in the rat during pregnancy and development. Sixteen pregnant rats and their 48 newborns were equally divided into control and EMR groups. The EMR groups were exposed to 2.45GHz EMR (1h/day for 5 days/week) from pregnancy to 3 weeks of age. Brain cortex and liver samples were taken from the newborns between the first and third weeks. In the EMR groups, lipid peroxidation levels in the brain and liver were increased following EMR exposure; however, the glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, and vitamin A, vitamin E and β-carotene concentrations were decreased in the brain and liver. Glutathione (GSH) and vitamin C concentrations in the brain were also lower in the EMR groups than in the controls; however, their concentrations did not change in the liver. In conclusion, Wi-Fi-induced oxidative stress in the brain and liver of developing rats was the result of reduced GSH-Px, GSH and antioxidant vitamin concentrations. Moreover, the brain seemed to be more sensitive to oxidative injury compared to the liver in the development of newborns. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Flow rate, pH and calcium concentration of saliva of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

PubMed

Moreira, A R; Passos, I A; Sampaio, F C; Soares, M S M; Oliveira, R J

2009-08-01

Alterations in salivary parameters may increase the caries risk in diabetic children, but, contradictory data on this issue have been reported. The aims of this study were to compare salivary parameters (flow rate, pH and calcium concentration) between healthy and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) individuals. The sample consisted of 7- to 18-year-old individuals divided into two groups: 30 subjects with T1DM (group A) and 30 healthy control subjects (group B). Fasting glucose levels were determined. Unstimulated and stimulated saliva was collected. The pH of unstimulated saliva was measured with paper strips and an electrode. Calcium concentrations in stimulated saliva were determined with a selective electrode. Group A individuals had inadequate blood glucose control (HbA(1C) >9%), with means +/- SD unstimulated salivary flow rate of 0.15 +/- 0.1 mL/min compared to 0.36 +/- 0.2 mL/min for group B (P < 0.01). Stimulated salivary flow rate was similar by both groups and above 2.0 mL/min. Saliva pH was 6.0 +/- 0.8 for group A and significantly different from 7.0 +/- 0.6 for group B (P < 0.01). Salivary calcium was 14.7 +/- 8.1 mg/L for group A and significantly higher than 9.9 +/- 6.4 mg/L for group B (P < 0.01). Except for elevated calcium concentrations in saliva, salivary parameters favoring caries such as low saliva pH and unstimulated salivary flow rate were observed in T1DM individuals.

Protein crystallography prescreen kit

DOEpatents

Segelke, Brent W.; Krupka, Heike I.; Rupp, Bernhard

2007-10-02

A kit for prescreening protein concentration for crystallization includes a multiplicity of vials, a multiplicity of pre-selected reagents, and a multiplicity of sample plates. The reagents and a corresponding multiplicity of samples of the protein in solutions of varying concentrations are placed on sample plates. The sample plates containing the reagents and samples are incubated. After incubation the sample plates are examined to determine which of the sample concentrations are too low and which the sample concentrations are too high. The sample concentrations that are optimal for protein crystallization are selected and used.

Protein crystallography prescreen kit

DOEpatents

Segelke, Brent W.; Krupka, Heike I.; Rupp, Bernhard

2005-07-12

A kit for prescreening protein concentration for crystallization includes a multiplicity of vials, a multiplicity of pre-selected reagents, and a multiplicity of sample plates. The reagents and a corresponding multiplicity of samples of the protein in solutions of varying concentrations are placed on sample plates. The sample plates containing the reagents and samples are incubated. After incubation the sample plates are examined to determine which of the sample concentrations are too low and which the sample concentrations are too high. The sample concentrations that are optimal for protein crystallization are selected and used.

Total nitrogen and suspended-sediment loads and identification of suspended-sediment sources in the Laurel Hill Creek watershed, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, water years 2010-11

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sloto, Ronald A.; Gellis, Allen C.; Galeone, Daniel G.

2012-01-01

Laurel Hill Creek is a watershed of 125 square miles located mostly in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, with small areas extending into Fayette and Westmoreland Counties. The upper part of the watershed is on the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection 303(d) list of impaired streams because of siltation, nutrients, and low dissolved oxygen concentrations. The objectives of this study were to (1) estimate the annual sediment load, (2) estimate the annual nitrogen load, and (3) identify the major sources of fine-grained sediment using the sediment-fingerprinting approach. This study by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) was done in cooperation with the Somerset County Conservation District. Discharge, suspended-sediment, and nutrient data were collected at two streamflow-gaging stations—Laurel Hill Creek near Bakersville, Pa., (station 03079600) and Laurel Hill Creek at Ursina, Pa., (station 03080000)—and one ungaged stream site, Laurel Hill Creek below Laurel Hill Creek Lake at Trent (station 03079655). Concentrations of nutrients generally were low. Concentrations of ammonia were less than 0.2 milligrams per liter (mg/L), and concentrations of phosphorus were less than 0.3 mg/L. Most concentrations of phosphorus were less than the detection limit of 0.02 mg/L. Most water samples had concentrations of nitrate plus nitrite less than 1.0 mg/L. At the Bakersville station, concentrations of total nitrogen ranged from 0.63 to 1.3 mg/L in base-flow samples and from 0.57 to 1.5 mg/L in storm composite samples. Median concentrations were 0.88 mg/L in base-flow samples and 1.2 mg/L in storm composite samples. At the Ursina station, concentrations of total nitrogen ranged from 0.25 to 0.92 mg/L in base-flow samples; the median concentration was 0.57 mg/L. The estimated total nitrogen load at the Bakersville station was 262 pounds (lb) for 11 months of the 2010 water year (November 2009 to September 2010) and 266 lb for the 2011 water year. Most of the total nitrogen loading was from stormflows. The stormflow load accounted for 76.6 percent of the total load for the 2010 water year and 80.6 percent of the total load for the 2011 water year. The estimated monthly total nitrogen loads were higher during the winter and spring (December through May) than during the summer (June through August). For the Bakersville station, the estimated suspended-sediment load (SSL) was 17,700 tons for 11 months of the 2010 water year (November 2009 to September 2010). The storm beginning January 24, 2010, provided 34.4 percent of the annual SSL, and the storm beginning March 10, 2010, provided 31.9 percent of the annual SSL. Together, these two winter storms provided 66 percent of the annual SSL for the 2010 water year. For the 2011 water year, the estimated annual SSL was 13,500 tons. For the 2011 water year, the SSLs were more evenly divided among storms than for the 2010 water year. Seven of 37 storms with the highest SSLs provided a total of 65.7 percent of the annual SSL for the 2011 water year; each storm provided from 4.6 to 12.3 percent of the annual SSL. The highest cumulative SSL for the 2010 and 2011 water years generally occurred during the late winter. Stormflows with the highest peak discharges generally carried the highest SSL. The sediment-fingerprinting approach was used to quantify sources of fine-grained suspended sediment in the watershed draining to the Laurel Hill Creek near Bakersville streamflow-gaging station. Sediment source samples were collected from five source types: 20 from cropland, 9 from pasture, 18 from forested areas, 20 from unpaved roads, and 23 from streambanks. At the Bakersville station, 10 suspended-sediment samples were collected during 6 storms for sediment-source analysis. Thirty-five tracers from elemental analysis and 4 tracers from stable isotope analysis were used to fingerprint the source of sediment for the 10 storm samples. Statistical analysis determined that cropland and pasture could not be discriminated by the set of tracers and were combined into one source group—agriculture. Stepwise discriminant function analysis determined that 11 tracers best described the 4 sources. An "unmixing" model applied to the 11 tracers showed that agricultural land (cropland and pasture) was the major source of sediment, contributing an average of 53 percent of the sediment for the 10 storm samples. Streambanks, unpaved roads, and forest contributions for the 10 storm samples averaged 30, 17, and 0 percent, respectively. Agriculture was the major contributor of sediment during the highest sampled stormflows. The highest stormflows also produced the highest total nitrogen and suspended-sediment loads.

Analysis of concentric and eccentric contractions in biceps brachii muscles using surface electromyography signals and multifractal analysis.

PubMed

Marri, Kiran; Swaminathan, Ramakrishnan

2016-06-23

Muscle contractions can be categorized into isometric, isotonic (concentric and eccentric) and isokinetic contractions. The eccentric contractions are very effective for promoting muscle hypertrophy and produce larger forces when compared to the concentric or isometric contractions. Surface electromyography signals are widely used for analyzing muscle activities. These signals are nonstationary, nonlinear and exhibit self-similar multifractal behavior. The research on surface electromyography signals using multifractal analysis is not well established for concentric and eccentric contractions. In this study, an attempt has been made to analyze the concentric and eccentric contractions associated with biceps brachii muscles using surface electromyography signals and multifractal detrended moving average algorithm. Surface electromyography signals were recorded from 20 healthy individuals while performing a single curl exercise. The preprocessed signals were divided into concentric and eccentric cycles and in turn divided into phases based on range of motion: lower (0°-90°) and upper (>90°). The segments of surface electromyography signal were subjected to multifractal detrended moving average algorithm, and multifractal features such as strength of multifractality, peak exponent value, maximum exponent and exponent index were extracted in addition to conventional linear features such as root mean square and median frequency. The results show that surface electromyography signals exhibit multifractal behavior in both concentric and eccentric cycles. The mean strength of multifractality increased by 15% in eccentric contraction compared to concentric contraction. The lowest and highest exponent index values are observed in the upper concentric and lower eccentric contractions, respectively. The multifractal features are observed to be helpful in differentiating surface electromyography signals along the range of motion as compared to root mean square and median frequency. It appears that these multifractal features extracted from the concentric and eccentric contractions can be useful in the assessment of surface electromyography signals in sports medicine and training and also in rehabilitation programs. © IMechE 2016.

Detection of Nosema bombycis by FTA cards and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP).

PubMed

Yan, Wei; Shen, Zhongyuan; Tang, Xudong; Xu, Li; Li, Qianlong; Yue, Yajie; Xiao, Shengyan; Fu, Xuliang

2014-10-01

We successfully established a detection method which exhibited a markedly higher sensitivity than previously developed detection methods for Nosema bombycis by combining glass beads, FTA card, and LAMP. Spores of N. bombycis were first broken by acid-washed glass beads; the DNA was subsequently extracted and purified with the FTA card, and LAMP was performed using primers (LSU296) designed based on the sequence of the LSU rRNA of N. bombycis. The minimum detection concentration was 10 spores/mL. When this method was used to detect pebrine disease in silkworm egg, the detection rate for 500 silkworm eggs, in which only one egg was infected with N. bombycis, was 100 % under our optimized conditions. If the number of eggs in the sample increased to 800 or 1,000, the sample was divided into two equal portions, and the eggs were smashed with glass beads after the addition of 1 mL of TE buffer. The liquid in two tubes was later mixed and applied to the FTA card, and the detection rates were 100 %. Furthermore, the LAMP method established in our study could detect N. bombycis infection in silkworm 24 h earlier than microscopy.