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Sixth International Conference on Environmental Mutagens in Human Populations
- Conference date: 26-29 Mar 2012
- Location: Qatar National Convention Center, Doha, Qatar
- Volume number: 2012
- Published: 01 March 2012
51 - 100 of 107 results
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Genomic Alterations in Non-Cancer Diseases
More LessAbstractIn spite of their multitude and obvious clinical diversities, cancer and other chronic degenerative diseases may share common risk factors and protective factors as well as common pathogenetic determinants, such as DNA damage and repair, epigenetic events, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation. We applied the same biomarkers that are usually exploited in cancer research to investigate genomic and post-genomic alterations occurring during critical periods of life, such as pregnancy, the perinatal period, and aging. Molecular and cellular alterations were detected in cancers associated with chronic viral infections, physical agents, individual chemicals or complex mixtures, as well as in other chronic diseases, including atherosclerosis, degenerative heart diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, skin alopecia, ocular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. Not only DNA damage and repair but also alterations of the microtubule-associated protein tau, which are involved in Alzheimer’s disease, were detected in cigarette smoke-related neurodegeneration. The proliferation rate is the main factor that affects the possible evolution towards a given disease. In fact, the aforementioned pathogenetic mechanisms may evolve (a) into cancer when they occur in highly proliferating cells, (b) into atherosclerotic plaques when they occur in the smooth muscle cells of the artery medium layer, and (c) into genuinely degenerative diseases when they occur in perennial, postmitotic cells, such as cardiac myocytes and neurons, being thus associated with cardiomyopathies and neurodegenerative diseases, respectively.
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Environmental Mutagenesis In Cardiovascular and Eye Diseases
More LessAbstractTo check the pathogenic role of exposure to mutagens in cardiovascular and eye disease we examined molecular damages in affected subjects. 107 atherosclerotic patients were tested for molecular alterations in aorta specimens and molecular biomarkers evaluated for their prognostic value in a 15-year follow up. Mitochondrial damage (mitochondrial DNA common deletion 4977 bp) and oxidative DNA damage (8-oxo-dG), detected at very high level in atherosclerotic aorta, were significantly related with patients survival. Physical activity dramatically decreased these biomarkers, improving survival, although with a remarkable inter-individual variability. Indeed, preventive effects of physical activity were mainly detected in patients bearing double GSTM/T homozygous deletion, which have a 3.6-year survival only in case of being sedentary while a 9.7-year survival in case of being physically active (a 30-minute walk a day). Dealing with ocular diseases, we analyzed 73 patients affected by glaucoma, the most common cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, as compared to 158 unaffected controls for the occurrence of molecular damage in the ocular trabecular meshwork, the tissue regulating aqueous humor outflow. Oxidative nuclear DNA (8-oxo-dG) and mitochondrial DNA damage (mitochondrial DNA common deletion 4977 bp) were consistently detected and tightly related with clinical variables, including intraocular pressure increase and visual field defects. Mitochondrial damage in trabecular meshwork results in apoptosis activation and cell loss, as demonstrated by proteome analysis of aqueous humor. On a comparative basis with iris and cornea, trabecular meshwork resulted to be the most sensitive tissue of the ocular anterior chamber to oxidative damage when ocular tissues collected from corneal donors were challenged with hydrogen peroxide. In the same experimental system we demonstrated that beta blockers and carbonic anhydrase inhibitor drugs, commonly used in glaucoma therapy, are able to attenuate DNA and mitochondrial damage as induced by reactive oxygen species in trabecular meshwork. These studies provide experimental evidence that molecular damage as induced by exogenous and endogenous mutagens play a pathogenic role in cardiovascular and ocular diseases by inducing nuclear and mitochondrial DNA damage.
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Association Between the Environmental Risk Factors and Chinese Male Semen Quality
By Jia CaoAbstractIn order to analyze the trend of change in semen quality of Chinese healthy men over recent 25 years, a total of 115 reports were collected on quality inspection of semen of healthy Chinese men between 1985-2009 through literature search. This involved 23,126 people from 69 counties and cities in China. The results indicated that the semen concentration of healthy Chinese men appears in possible decline over the last 25 years (P < 0.05). A cross-sectional study in our group was performed to evaluate the semen quality of 1346 healthy men residing in Chongqing area of south-west China in 2007. We analyzed urinary levels of PAHs and PAEs metabolites and assessed semen quality, sperm DNA damage, and sperm apoptosis in 232 men from the population. The data indicates that the environmental level of PAH exposure is associated with increased sperm DNA damage, but not in the semen quality. These findings suggest that exposure to PAHs may disrupt the genetic integrity of sperm and thereby interfere with Chinese male fertility. Meanwhile, we observed weak associations between MBP of PAE metabolites and sperm concentration in Chongqing general population. This suggested that the Chinese general population exposure to the environmental level of PAEs may cause a reduction in sperm concentration. We observed no significant association between other phthalates and reproductive biomarkers suggested that phthalates may vary in their reproductive toxicity.
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Induction of Germ-cell Mutations by Particulate Air Pollutants
By Carole YaukAbstractThe particulate component of urban air pollution contains many compounds that are genotoxic and carcinogenic. Anthropogenic particulates are primarily derived from vehicle and power plant emissions, and various industrial sources. Particulates contain polycyclic aromatic compounds and metals that are known to be either directly or indirectly mutagenic through the creation of DNA adducts and oxidative stress. Although the regulation of acceptable levels of exposure to air pollution are primarily based on cardiopulmonary effects, data from our lab suggest that germ cells are a highly sensitive cell type that are responsive to low levels of particulate air pollution exposure. DNA damage in germ cells can lead to heritable mutations that may result in a wide variety of detrimental outcomes, from embryonic lethality to genetic disease in the offspring. Thus, hazards to germ cells are critically important to evaluate in the context of the health of future generations. Work in our laboratory examines the genetic and epigenetic consequences of parental exposure to particulate air pollutants on their gametes and their unexposed descendants. Our work applies highly unstable repetitive elements in the genome to measure induced mutation in pedigrees or sperm samples of mice. These studies have demonstrated that exposure to various sources of particulate air pollutants cause DNA mutations at repetitive sites in the germline that are inherited. Exposure of male mice to air pollutants leads to increased DNA strand breaks, DNA mutations and altered DNA methylation in sperm. Exposure of male in utero to diesel exhaust particles causes an increase in inherited mutation in their unexposed descendants. Mice exposed to both mainstream and sidestream tobacco smoke at environmentally relevant levels show similar increases in mutation frequency, above those doses leading to induction of somatic mutation. The data demonstrate that particles derived from combustion cause mutation in gametes, possibly mediated by epigenetic events. The mechanisms linking particle exposure and inherited mutation remain elusive but are the subject of research in our laboratory.
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Privacy and Ethics in Human Biomarker Studies
More LessAbstractHuman biomarker studies support the understanding and prevention of environmentally induced adverse health effects. However, using human samples and data related to human health raises sensitive issues related to ethics and privacy and is subject to various regulations/rules. Overall emphasis is primarily on decisional autonomy and protection of individual rights. The collective need to protect health as a public asset is less valued. The question is whether study subjects are adequately and equally protected in current practices and whether progress in environmental health research is still safeguarded. Scientific needs have to be balanced with rights of study subjects. At the same time samples and data should be used at maximum to the benefit of all, which might include secondary uses of samples/data. Decision making processes should take into account respect for human dignity and equality of moral status of all individuals, social justice, solidarity and democratic participation as appealing values and useful complements to the four conventional bioethical principles. Trust and confidence are needed to promote voluntary participation in studies. An adequate communication at all stages of the study is of key importance.
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Establishment of Ethical Research Committees in Developing Countries
By Wagida AnwarAbstractThe majority of biomedical research has been predominantly motivated by concern for the benefit of the communities. Therefore, establishment of Research Ethics committees is essential for communicating bioethical issues and ethical perspectives when we are carrying out Genetic Toxicology research. These committees need to follow the international standards and to set up guidelines to follow to evaluate the research projects. International guidelines can assist in strengthening the capacity for the ethical review of biomedical research in all countries contributes. The ethical and scientific standards for carrying out biomedical research on human subjects have been developed and established in international guidelines, including the Declaration of Helsinki, the CIOMS International Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical Research Involving Human Subjects, and the WHO and ICH Guidelines for Good Clinical Practice. Compliance with these guidelines helps to ensure that the dignity, rights, safety, and wellbeing of research participants are promoted and that the results of the investigations are credible. Ethical and scientific review of biomedical research is required alongside informed consent as essential measures to protect the individual person and the communities who participate in research. Biomedical research includes genetic toxicology research, research on pharmaceuticals, medical devices, medical radiation and imaging, surgical procedures, medical records, and biological samples, as well as epidemiological, social, and psychological investigations. As an example, in Egypt, the Ministry of Higher Education created The Egyptian National Bioethics Committee (NBC) in 1996. The mission of the committee is to serve as the international contact organization for bioethics, especially with regard to the communication with the UNESCO. It gives advice to and cooperates with the other Egyptian committees that deal with bioethical issues and raise awareness for bioethical questions in Egypt. The committee has established working groups, for medical and pharmaceutical applications, for food and agricultural applications, and for information. It sees itself as counterpart of the International Bioethics Committee (IBC) of the UNESCO. The NBC has issued reports on conducting biological and medical research, on human organ transplantation, surrogate motherhood, and scientific research on gene therapy. The NBC has members with different education, e.g. medicine, agriculture, biology, law, religious and social sciences. Since the 1980s Egypt has hosted a number of regional and international conferences, dealing with bioethical questions. Furthermore, several Egyptian universities and research centers established ethical committee and they are very active in improving the quality of their performance through networking and training programs.
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Ethical Guidelines for the Use of Biological Samples in Human Research
By Eman SadounAbstractHuman biological materials have been, and continue to be, invaluable resources for a wide variety of research activities. Researchers and clinical investigators relay on the availability of stored human biological materials as well as the willingness of individuals to participate in research protocols by donating blood, tissue, or DNA samples to research. This ongoing process raises a number of ethical issues. This necessitates a distinct policy to facilitate proper management of these activities. The Research Department at Supreme Council of Health (SCH) has developed a policy on the use of stored data and biological samples in human research. Dr Eman Sadoun will present the SCH policy guidelines. The guidelines provided in the policy are intended to promote the goals of improving health through biomedical and environmental research while protecting the rights and welfare of those individuals who contribute to human knowledge through the donation of their biological materials. Such guidelines, while seeking to protect patient confidentiality and autonomy, are also developed to ensure that appropriate access for legitimate research purposes is maintained.
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Grey Areas, Controversies and Possibilities in Ethical Review of Environmental Health Research
By Kip KanteloAbstractThis presentation will provide an overview of considerations facing research ethics boards and human research protection programs in the handling of environmental health research. Based on the ethical principles and regulatory requirements underlying the Qatari and American human research protections systems, the presentation will briefly examine issues such as:
- - determining what constitutes "human subjects research".
- - providing the appropriate level of review.
- - evaluating risks and benefits.
- - showing due respect to subjects.
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Environmental Impact Assessment: What, When, How?
More LessAbstractEnvironmental Impact assessment (EIA) is a term that has become widely known in both developed and developing countries. It is well-recognized that EIA talks about the process by which the environmental impacts of a project can be systematically collected, analyzed and well- presented to inform and assure a proper decision making process [1]. The measures would include air quality, water quality, soil contamination, restoration, noise pollution, and others. The activities undertaken during decision taking stages to monitor, evaluate, manage and communicate the environmental outcomes, were EIA methods, tools and techniques ranging from simple to complex, requiring different kinds of data, different data formats, and different levels of expertise for their interpretation [2]. The EIA practitioner is faced with a vast quantity of raw, and usually disorganized, information that must be collected and analyzed in preparation for an EIA report. This EIA report that accompanies the Planning Application is usually called the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), This report shows that the significant effects of a development, both positive and negative are objectively analyzed. Upon receiving this information it is determined whether the development should go ahead or not; it also helps to predict the effects and scope for reduction [3]. EIA is not only a tool for decision makers, it is also a tool for the designers and developers to ensure that they best minimize local adverse impacts and derive maximum benefits from a development with environmental enhancement [4]. This project will review the environmental Impact Assessment process, indicating how this fits in to the planning process but equally how it can be used as design guide for a factory planning and construction. The study project will address the following questions: What is an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)? When is it required? What is the process of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)? What are the environmental, social and economic issues associated with construction developments? How do you assess them and mitigate for them? Are there any local policies and laws under town planning regulations that regulate the EIA? How does the regulatory body decide whether to grant permission? How does the regulatory body enforce any mitigation requirements following construction?.
Sponsored by the National Institutes of Health.
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DNA Ligases I and III Cooperate to Mediate Alternative Non-homologous End-joining in Vertebrates
More LessAbstractIn eukaryotes, the three families of ATP-dependent DNA ligases are associated with specific functions in DNA metabolism. DNA ligase I (LigI) catalyzes Okazaki-fragment ligation at the replication fork and nucleotide excision repair (NER). DNA ligase IV (LigIV) mediates repair of DNA double strand breaks (DSB) via non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ). The evolutionary younger DNA ligase III (LigIII) is restricted to higher eukaryotes and has been associated with base excision (BER) and single strand break repair (SSBR). We show that in vertebrate DT40 cells, in the absence of LigI, LigIII efficiently supports semi-conservative DNA replication via an alternative DNA replication pathway, as well as NER. LigIII also supports an alternative, low efficiency, NHEJ process that operates as backup to LigIV-dependent NHEJ. Together with its exclusive and essential function in mitochondria, these observations elevate LigIII to a universal ligase, equipped to substitute or backup the functions of all other DNA ligases.
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DNA Damage Response in UV Irradiated Cells
More LessAbstractNucleotide excision repair (NER) removes bulky DNA lesions from the genome. The toxic effects of these lesions relate to their potency to block replication and transcription elongation. Two mechanistically distinct NER subpathways have been identified: Global genome NER (GG-NER) and transcription-coupled repair (TC-NER). In the currently prevailing model, NER factors are sequentially assembled into pre- and post-incision complexes; however, the regulation of NER in vivo is poorly understood. I will focus on GG-NER particularly on damage recognition and mechanisms that control the transition from dual incision to repair synthesis and UV induced signalling. Moreover, we provide evidence that damage signalling in nondividing cells proceeds via NER dependent and independent UV photolesion processing. The second part of my talk deals with TC-NER in UV-irradiated cells. Deficiency in TC-NER is a hallmark of the rare human disorder Cockayne syndrome (CS). Two complementation groups (A and B) have been identified. Both CS proteins have distinct functions in recruitment of NER factors and chromatin remodelers. The emerging picture of TCR is complex: repair of transcription blocking lesions requires the NER factors, chromatin remodelers and at least two essential assembly factors, ie the CSA and B proteins. Together these, and yet unidentified proteins, will accomplish not only efficient repair thereby counteracting mutagenesis and cytoxicity but also contribute to DNA damage signalling events.
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DNA Damage and Apoptotic Signaling Following Sunlight
More LessAbstractSunlight induces DNA damage due to the ultraviolet (UV) components UVA and UVB. Pyrimidine dimers (CPDs and 6-4PPs) are the most toxic lesions induced by sunlight, and are mainly induced by UVB light, although these lesions are also potentially induced by UVA. On the other hand, UVA light is known to indirectly generate oxidative species, which also damage DNA. By using DNA repair deficient cell lines from xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) patients, expressing pyrimidine-dimer-specific photolyases, we investigated the biological relevance of these lesions in cell killing induction after UVA-irradiation. The results clearly indicate that both CPDs and 6-4PPs are important lesions inducing cell killing, including apoptosis, although other lesions also participate in the events that lead to cell death by UVA. XP cell lines were also employed as sensitive cell targets for the development of sunlight cell dosimeter, which can be useful to analyze the ability of sunscreen filters to protect them from irradiation. Again, although sunscreen filters provided some cell protection from the ability to induce pyrimidine dimers, other types of DNA damage (probably mainly related to UVA) also efficiently induce cell death, reducing the protection factor of normally employed sunscreen filters. Thus, DNA lesions probably induced by oxidative reactive species are also biologically relevant when considering sunlight effects in human cells, and these lesions are also important when considering the sensitivity of XP patients.
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Mechanisms of Transcriptional Inhibition and Induction by Environmental Mutagens
More LessAbstractExposure of cells to environmental mutagens activates cellular responses, leading to a reprogramming of gene expression by mechanisms that are not fully elucidated. To investigate the mechanisms of how environmental mutagens affect global gene expression in human cells both at the level of RNA synthesis and transcript stability, we developed a new technique, called BruChase-Seq, based on bromouridine (BrU) pulse-chase labeling coupled to deep sequencing. Using BruChase-Seq we found that ionizing radiation, cadmium or the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF rapidly altered both the synthesis and the transcript stability of specific sets of genes in human fibroblasts. To directly assess the effect of UV light on nascent RNA transcription, we developed BrUV-Seq, where cells are irradiated with UV-light immediately before labeling nascent RNA with BrU. We found that UV-induced DNA lesions inhibited transcription elongation but not initiation, leading to a dramatic enhancement of sequencing signal at transcription start sites. Unexpectedly, we found that UV-irradiation also caused an enrichment of non-coding RNA and enhancer sequences, potentially making it possible to use BrUV-Seq to map poorly annotated non-coding RNAs and active enhancer elements genome-wide. We believe that the BruChase-Seq and BrUV-Seq approaches will be useful in elucidating the mechanisms of gene regulation in many biological settings.
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DNA Repair and Damage Response Following Exposure of Cells to Alkylating Carcinogens
By Bernd KainaAbstractAlkylating carcinogens are widely distributed in the environment and are present in food, beverages and tobacco. They are also endogenously formed in stomach and gut. These agents induce a dozen different DNA lesions, and some of them have been identified to be carcinogenic, clastogenic, recombinogenic and cytotoxic. A critical DNA adduct is O6-methylguanine (O6MeG). This damage causes mutations and is responsible for most of the carcinogenic effects of simple alkylating agents. At the same time, O6MeG is a highly powerful cytotoxic lesion, giving rise to the induction of apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy. The damage is repaired by the suicide enzyme alkyltransferase (MGMT), which is a very important first-line defense mechanism and biomarker of alkylating drug resistance, both in normal tissue and tumors (therefore it also plays a key role in tumor therapy). MGMT knockout mice respond to alkylating agent treatment with a high yield of colon cancer. The same is true for MPG ko mice defective in base excision repair, indicating that not only O6MeG, but also non-repaired N-alkylation lesions give rise to mutations and cancer. Elimination of pre-transformed cells by apoptosis counteracts this process. We have shown that O6MeG is a very powerful trigger of apoptosis, which is executed via the death receptor and the mitochondrial damage pathway. The apoptotic response is downstream, triggered by DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) that are formed during the mismatch repair dependent processing of O6MeG. These O6MeG-induced DSBs are repaired by homologous recombination (HR), which is a second-line defense against O6MeG triggered cell death. Other players involved in DSB recognition and HR are NBS-1, ATM, Rad51, XRCC2 and XRCC3. In some cell types, the efficiency of O6MeG to trigger the p53 dependent death receptor pathway is higher than the p53 independent endogenous mitochondrial pathway, which rests on p53 driven death receptor upregulation. However, p53 is also able to upregulate DNA repair genes thus protecting against mutations and cell death. The implications for human defense against environmental carcinogens will be discussed. Work was supported by DFG KA724.
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The Possible Cancer Chemopreventive Activity of Spice Ginger
More LessAbstractGinger extract and its active principles, gingerol and shogaol, were tested in a different model system for their antimutagenicity activity. Salmonella/microsome is a short-term assay developed to detect human carcinogens as mutagens were used for these studies. Ginger extract, gingerol and shogaol in a two model system, inhibited the formation of mutagenic glucose + lysine in TA100 without metabolic activation (S9mix) and glucose + lysine + creatinine pyrolysates in TA98 with S9mix. The observed inhibition of mutagenicity by gingerol and shogaol is by direct interaction. Ginger extract, gingerol and shogaol also inhibited the formation of mutagenic nitroso-compounds from dried fish extract and nitrite at pH2.0. Ginger extract, gingerol and shogaol dose dependently inhibited aflatoxin and benzo(a) pyrene (BP)-induced mutagenicity in TA98 with S9mix. Ginger extract, gingerol and shogaol lowered the excretion of urinary mutagens in BP fed mice. In the same animal there was a decrease in DNA damage as determined by decrease in the bone marrow micronuclei. Finally, feeding 0.5g of ginger decreased urinary excretion of mutagens in active and passive cigarette smokers. These results suggest that ginger in the human diet may act as a novel cancer chemopreventive agent through diverse mechanisms.
Moolky A*., Kolpe U.,** Satish B.S*., Nagabhushan M., Loyola University Chicago, Illinois, USA** University of Illinois at chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA & Manipal University, Manipal, India*
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An Assessment of Chromosomal Damage in Individuals Occupationally Exposed to Domestic Cooking Gas
More LessAbstractThe lymphocytes of healthy adult men occupationally exposed to Domestic Cooking Gas (DCG) were screened for genotoxic damage using the Cytochalasin Block Micronucleus [cytome] (CBMN) Assay. Results obtained, show that there was a significant increase in the the induction of binucleated micronuclei frequency (BNMN) in subjects exposed to DCG as compared with the non-exposed controls, with a 92 percent increase in the degree of induction. There was a positive correlation between the degree of micronuclei induced and the duration of exposure (r2 = 0.78). A higher proliferation rate (1.58 ± 0.3), as calculated using the Nuclear Division Index (NDI) was found in the exposed group as compared with the control group (1.36 ± 0.05).
The observations above suggests that DCG may induce chromosomal damage and cell proliferation in vivo.
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The Impact Of Bacteriophages In Bacteria Removal Associated with Soba Stabilisation Station Efficiency
More LessAbstractBacteriophages are viruses that infect and lyse bacteria, the applications of phage techniques in wastewater treatment systems improve effluent and sludge emissions into the environment. The existence of bacteriophages in wastewater of the Soba Stabilisation Station was determined by isolating and identifying methods for their activities against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus isolated from the anaerobic, facultative and maturation ponds. The general viable count of the bacteria showed an average of 2.0 x 106 cfu/ml. In broth media the affection of the bacteriophage interactions with bacteria showed an increase of bacteriophages with concomitant decrease in bacteria due to culture clearance, where the readings of the turbidity for the first and second infection showed statistical significant light transmission among E. coli phage samples due to placing of sample collections as follows: from the anaerobic and facultative ponds P>0.05, facultative and maturation P<0.05 and anaerobic and maturation P>0.05., whilst the S. aureus phage samples’ light transmission from the anaerobic and facultative P<0.05, facultative and maturation P<0.05 and anaerobic and maturation P>0.05. On solid media, the affection of the bacteriophage was recognised by the phage plaque formation on bacterial cultures. The linear equations of phage densities and distributions according to their wavelength were y = 0.0008x + 0.0303 for E. coli phage and y = -0.0102x + 0.2438 for S. aureus phage.
This study concluded that phages are naturally present, where their hosts are present, and naturally destroyed bacteria which aided recovery from a polluted environment.
Keywords: Bacteriophage/ Escherichia coli/ General viable count / Light transmission/ Linear equations/ Stabilisation Station /Staphylococcus aureus/.
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Risk Assessment of Local Belacan (Shrimp Paste) Intake
More LessAbstractShrimp paste is one of the staple food condiments in Malaysia. This research was conducted to evaluate the mutagenic activity of local shrimp paste, and to estimate the actual intake among the Malaysian population. Two types of shrimp paste, produced from a factory and small scale industry (SSI), were sampled from Melaka, Malaysia and extracted with aqueous and methanol solvent. Ames Test was used to determine the mutagenicity potential of shrimp paste using Salmonella thyphimurium TA98 and TA100 bacterial strains.
There were mutagenic activities in methanol extracts of shrimp paste from SSI at 25 mg/ml and 50 mg/ml without the presence of metabolic activator S9 in TA98 strain. In the presence of metabolic activation, the same extract showed mutagenicity response at 50 mg/ml in TA 98 strain. a Semi Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was used to evaluate the actual intake of shrimp paste among the population using multistage random sampling. The mean daily intake of shrimp paste was 1.41±0.27 g/day. Heavy metal analyses were also determined by ICP-MS. Arsenic (As) and Lead (Pb) were found to exceed the limit of Malaysian Food Act 1983 and Food Regulation 1985 (As from factory = 8.69±1.67 mg/kg, As from SSI = 12.14±2.32 mg/kg, Pb from SSI = 10.23±1.12 mg/kg).
From this study, it has been observed that the daily intakes of As, Pb, Cd and Hg in shrimp paste is much lower than the provisional tolerable weekly intakes (PTWI) given by FAO/WHO and could not be considered harmful to the population. The outcome of this research can be used as baseline data for the safe intake of shrimp paste as a daily condiment in Malaysia.
Keywords: Shrimp paste / Mutagenicity / Daily intake / Heavy metal / Risk assessment. .
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Proteomics Reveals the Adverse Effects of Methyl Mercury
More LessAbstractMercury may occur naturally in the environment (mineral deposits, volcanoes, forest fires, oceanic emission, and crust degassing), or be released by human activities such as mining, mineral processing, chloroalkali production, and combustion of fossil fuels. The inorganic mercury species could be methylated in the aquatic environment. Methyl mercury (MeHg) is the most abundant and also the most toxic form of mercury in the environment. Methyl mercury is also the only mercury compound that is bioaccumulated and biomagnified in the food chain. Beluga (Huso huso) is a critically endangered sturgeon fish species that is carnivorous and feeds on benthic and pelagic fish. Because of its feeding habits, Beluga is at risk of bioaccumulating environmental contaminants. It has been reported that Beluga shows a higher concentration of mercury than other sturgeon in the Caspian Sea. In order to obtain a preliminary scope of the MeHg toxicity at the molecular level, we used a proteomics approach to analyze the changes in the brain proteome of beluga exposed to dietary MeHg. The juvenile Beluga were fed a diet containing 0.8 ppm MeHg for 70 days. Proteins of the brain tissue were analyzed using two-dimensional electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry. MeHg caused a differential expression of brain tissue proteins including glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, β-tubulin, aldo/keto reductase, calmodulin, keratin 8, 70-kDa heat shock protein, aconitase, and hydrolase. These proteins are involved in metabolism, protein folding, cell division, and signal transduction in the cell.
Our results support the idea that MeHg exerts its toxicity through oxidative stress induction and apoptotic effects. They also suggest that chronic MeHg exposure would induce an important metabolic deficiency in the brain. These findings provide basic information to understand possible mechanisms of MeHg toxicity in aquatic ecosystems.
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Lead and Cadmium Occurrence in Placenta and Associated Factors in Guiyu, China
By Shaoshan QiuAbstractToxic heavy metals are released into the environment constantly from unregulated electronic waste (e-waste) recycling in Guiyu, China, and therefore may contribute to the elevation of cadmium and other heavy metal levels in the placenta. The concentrations of heavy metals, lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd), in human placenta from Guiyu were compared with those from a control area where no e-waste processing occurs. A total of two hundred and eighty-one placentas were collected from Guiyu (n=199) and the control area (n=82). Heavy metal concentrations were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). Factors associated with high exposure were analyzed using Spearman Correlation Analyses. Placental cadmium (PCCd ) from Guiyu ranged from 14.21 to 376.80 ng/g with a median of 96.56 ng/g, whereas PCCd from the control area ranged from 9.71 to 51.74 ng/g with a median of 21.15 ng/g (P<0.001). No significant difference was found in placental lead (PCPb) levels between the two groups. Compared with control, the neonatal birth weight in Guiyu was significantly decreased (mean 3.15±0.03 vs 3.32±0.05, P<0.001). Spearman correlation analyses showed that the placental cadmium level showed a correlation with whether the house was used as workshop or not, the type of fuel for cooking, and milk product consumption during pregnancy. Environmental pollution, resulted from unregulated e-waste recycling activities, may contribute to elevated PCCd in neonates born in Guiyu and thus threaten their health status.
Key Words: E-waste / Placenta / Cadmium / Lead / Neonate
Shaoshan Qiu, Xia Huo, Bin Li, Junxiao Liu, Yekeen Taofeek Akangbe, Yuling Zhang, Xijin Xu
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Cytogenetic Biomonitoring of Peripheral Blood and Oral Mucosa Cells from Car Painters
By Victor SilvaAbstractThe aim of the present study was to comparatively evaluate genomic damage and cellular death in exfoliated oral mucosa cells and peripheral blood from car painters. A total of 24 car painters and 19 health controls (non-exposed individuals) were included in this setting. Individuals had epithelial cells from cheek mucosa (left and right side) mechanically exfoliated, placed in fixative and dropped in clean slides which were checked for the above nuclear phenotypes. A total of 5uL from peripheral blood was collected for the single cell gel (comet) assay. The results pointed out significant statistical differences (p<0.05) of micronucleated oral mucosa cells from car painters. In addition, DNA damage was detected in peripheral blood cells by single cell gel (comet) assay. Nevertheless, exposure to car paints did not cause an increase in other nuclear alterations closely related to cytotoxicity such as karrhyorexis, pyknosis and karyolysis in buccal mucosa cells.
In summary, the results of the present study suggest that car painters comprise a high risk group as paints can induce genotoxic and mutagenic effects in peripheral blood and oral mucosa cells, respectively.
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Utilizing Hormonal Effects on Intracellular Calcium to Enhance Cisplatin Anti-Cancer Actions on MCF-7 Cells
More LessAbstractWe aim to improve Cisplatin Cancer Efficacy. Cisplatin was applied to MCF7 cells pre-incubated with menstrual hormones. Intracellular calcium was measured with fluorescence microscopy and was associated with reduced cell survival in contrast to Cisplatin application only. Syncing Cisplatin administration and menstrual cycle can enhance treatment.
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Intracellular Calcium Modulators Modulate Cisplatin-Induced Calcium Elevation in Human Breast Cancer Cells (MCF-7)
More LessAbstractCisplatin (CDDP) changes intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in various cell lines, while elevated [Ca2+]i induces apoptosis. We have previously shown that CDDP could elevate [Ca2+]i in MCF-7 cells. Here we investigate the source of [Ca2+]i by modulating calcium channels and transport mechanisms. Changes in the [Ca2+]i were recorded using florescence microscopy and the calcium-sensitive fluorescent dye, Fluo-4. CDDP (0.001 – 0.1 µM) and [Ca2+]i modulators, (caffeine; 10mM, nimodipine; 10M, ionomycin; 10µM, thapsigargin; 500nM, and 2-APB; 50µM) were administered to cultured MCF-7 cells via a bath perfusion system. Cytotoxicity tests were performed using MTS and FACS assays at CDDP 100pM - 10mM. Viability tests were done following 24h incubation with CDDP. CDDP induced a concentration-dependent increase of [Ca2+]i. A concentration of CDDP 0.1µM triggered the largest elevation of [Ca2+]i with a 120 percent increase (n=19). Pre-application of the calcium channel blocker, nimodipine reduced this elevation significantly (46.6 percent increase; n=26) as well as the IP3 receptor blocker 2-APB (71.4% increase; n=52). Surprisingly, when [Ca2+]i was elevated due to a pre-application of caffeine (either ionomycin or thapsigargin), the subsequent application of CDDP was also significantly reduced compared to control conditions (n=15; 37.8 percent, n=32; 34.9 percent, n=21; 53.7 percent increase respectively). CDDP concentration dependently elevates [Ca2+]i by Ca2+ entry and Ca2+ release from the stores. The pre-elevation of [Ca2+]i, through releasing Ca2+ from the stores, reduces this elevation significantly. The exact mechanisms remain unclear and further investigations are required to determine the mechanisms and pathways that are involved in the elevation of [Ca2+]i.
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Limitations in Small Artisanal Gold Mining Addressed by Educational Components Paired with Alternative Mining Methods
More LessAbstractCurrent solutions continue to be inadequate in addressing the longstanding, worldwide problem of mercury emissions from small artisanal gold mining. Mercury, an inexpensive and easily accessible heavy metal, is used in the process of extracting gold from ore. Mercury emissions disperse, affecting human populations by causing adverse health effects and environmental and social ramifications. Many developing nations have sizable gold ore deposits, making small artisanal gold mining a major source of employment in the world. Poverty drives vulnerable, rural populations into gold mining because of social and economic instabilities. Educational programs responding to this environmental hazard have been implemented in the past, but have had low positive results due to lack of governmental support and little economic incentive. Educational and enforced intervention programs must be developed in conjunction with governmental agencies in order to successfully eliminate this ongoing problem. Industry leaders offered hopeful suggestions, but revealed limitations when trying to develop encompassing solutions to halt mercury emissions. This research highlights potential options that have been attempted in the past and suggests alternative solutions to improve upon these methods. Some methods include buyer impact recognition, risk assessment proposals exposing a cost-benefit analysis and toxicokinetic modeling, public health awareness campaigns, and the education of miners, healthcare workers, and locals within hazardous areas of mercury exposure. These methods, paired with the implementation of alternative mining techniques, propose a substantial reduction of mercury emissions.
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An Alternative Mechanism for Melatonin’s Protective Effects on Metal Ion Toxicity – Modulation of pro-/anti-apoptotic Proteins
More LessAbstractOur objective was: Does Melatonin protect against cisplatin (Pt(II)) toxicity by a mechanism that is not free radical based? We used, flow cytometry, cell-viability, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence, to determine the following: Cisplatin induced apoptosis is reversed by melatonin at physiological concentrations by localization of Bcl-2 and down regulation of Bax, besides reduction of oxidative stress.
Vignesh Shanmugam*, Amro Wafi, Elizabeth Varghese and Dietrich Büsselberg, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar
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Genetics of Dyslipidemias and the Role of the ApoE Arg145Cys Mutation in African-derived Populations
More LessAbstractDyslipidemia is a complex phenotype that depends on gene-environment interactions to be manifested. Deleterious mutations in proteins of the lipid transport pathway are expected to contribute to dyslipidemias. Apolipoprotein E (ApoE), a protein component of blood lipid particles, plays an important role in lipid transport and delivery. Single polymorphisms in residues 112 and 158 define the common E2, E3 and E4 alleles. In a study of Qataris, we observed that 17.4 percent of the African-derived genetic subgroup were heterozygotes for the rare Arg145Cys (R145C) variant that functions as a dominant trait with incomplete penetrance associated with dyslipidemia. Based on this, we hypothesized that the R145C polymorphism may be common in African-derived populations. The prevalence of the R145C variant worldwide was assessed in the 1000 Genomes Project (1000G) and then in 1012 Caucasians and 1226 African-Americans in New York City. Lipid profiles of the Qatari and New York R145C+ heterozygotes were compared to controls. R145C+ Qatari heterozygotes had higher triglyceride levels compared to Qatari controls (p<0.007). The 1000Gs data demonstrated that the R145C polymorphism is rare in non-African derived populations, but present in 4.9-12.3 percent of sub-Saharan African-derived populations. The R145C polymorphism was rare in New York City Caucasians (1/1012, 0.1%), but strikingly, 53 (4.3 percent) of 1,226 New York City African-Americans were R145C+ heterozygotes, with an average of 52 percent higher fasting triglyceride levels compared to African-American R145C- controls (p<0.002).
Based on these observations, there are likely to be millions of people worldwide derived from sub-Saharan Africans that are ApoE R145C+. While larger epidemiologic studies will be necessary to determine the long-term consequences of this polymorphism and the environmental and genetic factors contributing to severe manifestation of dyslipidemia in a subset of carriers, the available evidence suggests it is a common cause of triglyceride dyslipidemia.
Maen D. Abou Ziki, Yael Strulovici-Barel, Neil R. Hackett, Juan L. Rodriguez-Flores, Jason G. Mezey, Jacqueline Salit, Sharon Radisch, Charleen Hollmann, Lotfi Chouchane, Joel Malek, Mahmoud A. Zirie, Amin Jayyuosi, Antonio M. Gotto, Jr, and Ronald G. Crystal
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Lactase Persistence Variants as Markers to Study Human Demographic Movements in the Light of Animal Domestication and Milk Culture
More LessAbstractPersistence or non-persistence of lactase expression into adult life is a polymorphic trait that has been attributed to a single nucleotide polymorphism (-13910 C>T) in an enhancer element 13.9 kb upstream of the lactase gene (LCT). Recent studies have demonstrated that lactase persistence (LP) variants -13910*T and -13915*G have emerged from different allelic backgrounds and occur at very high frequencies in different populations. Iranian and Arabian populations have been reported to differ significantly in genetic patterns at these LP variants. The Arabian population is characterized by a 50-60 percent frequency of a -13915*G allele, attributable to its consumption of camel milk. This allele has not been detected so far among the Iranian population which, on the contrary, is similar to the European and Near Eastern populations showing a moderate frequency of -13910*T allele, which occurs at a significantly lower frequency in Arabia. In this background, we intended to determine the putative genetic source for the Indian Muslim population as mtDNA and Y chromosomal markers showed relatively low levels of genetic differentiation between their two potential sources of origin, Iran and Arabia. We sequenced for a 400 bp fragment around -13910 region of the LCT gene in 747 individuals from different regions of India. The variant -13910*T was widely observed in both Indian Muslim (Indian Shia-10 percent Indian Sunni-10 percent Dawoodi Bohra (TN)-14 percent, Dawoodi Bohra (GUJ)-11 percent, Mappla-2 percent, Iranian Shia-4 percent), and non-Muslim populations (North India-19 percent, West India-23 percent, South India-10 percent). The Iranian population also exhibited the same mutation with 10 percent frequency. The Arabian-specific -13915*G variant was completely absent from the Indian population, yet at the same position a new -13915*C variant (Mappla-1percent and South India-1 percent), likely to be an Indian-specific mutation was observed. The wide spread of the LP variant -13910*T among the Indian Muslim populations examined excludes the possibility of major genetic input from Arabia and corroborates the gene flow primarily from Iran, rather than directly from the Arabian Peninsula. Thus, the LCT gene correlating with LP in humans reveals the convergent evolution of the LP in diverse populations, most probably reflecting different histories of adaptation to milk culture and cattle domestication.
Muthukrishnan Eaaswarkhanth, Irene Gallego Romero, Toomas Kivisild, Kumarasamy Thangaraj
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Towards On-The-Spot Analysis: Population Proteomics of European Hake
More LessAbstractNumerous leaders in fisheries science highlight the need for improved governance of our oceans, especially in relation to Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUU) activities. The global impact of the ongoing and relentless loss of fish biomass, biodiversity and fisheries income adds, not only considerable uncertainty to our forecasts of sustainability, but also there are concomitant threats to ecosystem function, food security and the economic and social viability of fishing communities. In this context, population proteomics is becoming a powerful tool enabling the study of the population structures and functional adaptations to environment from human settlement to animal natural populations. A proteome scan approach based on two-dimensional fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis (DIGE) technology has been applied to generated thousands of protein markers that allow the identification of different hake (Merluccius merluccius) population, a species of most important interest to fisheries and human consumption. Based on quantitative differential analysis of hake populations, several protein markers were selected that reliably assigned individuals to the populations of origin. These new methods have the potential to complement, and in some cases, even supplement more established approaches, as they rapidly respond to the environment where the fish was living just prior to capture, and therefore provide information on geographic origin, etc.
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Constraints of Efficient Waterborne Disease in Sudan with Special Emphasis on Malaria
More LessAbstractThe shortcomings in water quality and sanitation in Sudan are directly reflected in the incidence of waterborne diseases, which make up to 80 percent of reported diseases in the country. The incidence of disease is highly seasonal: the greatest problem usually occurred at the start of the wet season as the rains and runoff mobilize the faecal matter and pollutants that have accumulated during the dry season. Apart from the routine waterborne illness such as cholera, dysentery, hepatitis A and a range of parasitic infections like schistosomiasis, a number of tropical diseases including malaria, sleeping sickness, river blindness etc are prevailing in Sudan. This paper aims to identify the factors responsible for inefficient control of waterborne diseases in Sudan with special emphasis on malaria in Sudan ie factors other than diagnosis and medication. The methodology adopted was very simple and straightforward based on the fact that, irrespective of the improvement in diagnosis and treatment of waterborne diseases, 80 percent of reported diseases in Sudan were diseases transmitted by water. These factors were identified and analyzed using network analysis which is one of the most famous environmental impact assessment (EIA) methods. It uses a cause and effect relationship to link different factors and helps to identify primary, secondary, and tertiary impacts the inefficient control of malaria resulted from natural, as well as, man-made factors. Natural (environmental) factors include climate, topography, soil type, and vegetation. While the most important factors among the man-made group includes: ill-planning, irrelevant land use, conflicts and displacement, irrational expansion of settlements, poor environmental awareness, inefficient liquid waste management, leakage of domestic water supply networks and poor infrastructure etc. The main conclusion is that medical treatment is not the sole factor for the efficient control of the incidence of malaria disease in Sudan. Natural and man-made factors should be accompanied by the eradication or reducuction of the negative health impacts of the prevalence of malaria disease. Efficient control of malaria can be achieved through the improvement and regular maintenance of domestic water supply networks, by upgrading wastewater treatment plants, raising awareness, and adopting measures that reduce the accumulation of stagnant water.
Keywords: Waterborne diseases / Malaria / Environmental impact assessment / Wastewater treatment plants.
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Lifestyle and Air Pollution: The use of Domestic Generators in an African City
By Ahmad YahyaAbstractAir is doubtlessly a basic necessity without which no living being can survive. The sole function of the breathing mechanism in human beings is the taking in of needed air (oxygen) and pushing out unneeded air (carbon dioxide). The need for clean and unpolluted air should therefore not be over-emphasized. With the debut of modern technology, man-made air pollution is gradually becoming a dominant trend. Human-induced carbon monoxide emission is posing a chronic threat to the well-being of, not only humankind, but the entire flora and fauna worlds. One of the chief sources of this dangerous substance in developing countries, particularly Africa, is domestic generators. This paper looks at the lifestyle of people in the Nigerian city of Kano, an arid zone, with a view to determining the extent to which they are attached to domestic generators, and the resultant carbon monoxide emission. Randomly sampling residences in Kano Metropolis, the paper attempts to find out the number of those who use domestic generators, the frequency of their use, the average number of hours for which these generators are working and, if possible, the amount of carbon monoxide emitted within this timeframe along with the level to which this pollutes the air, and the consequent health hazards that this entails. The paper discovered that the number of residents in Kano Metropolis who own, and constantly use domestic generators, exceeds that of those who do not. The paper also found out that the aspects of lifestyles which strongly attached them to the constant use of domestic generators include: organized feasts, lighting mosques, schools and Majalis, voluntarily lighting streets and neighbouring houses, and working within residential areas. The paper also discovered that most of the generators are in operation for longer, and their combined emitted carbon monoxide is highly voluminous which can substantially cause health hazards by polluting the air. The paper concludes that lifestyle plays a significant role in air pollution as reflected in Kano Metropolis and there is therefore the need for moderation and regulation to eschew this menace.
Keywords: Lifestyle / Africa / Kano / Generators / Pollution
Ahmad Yahya, Department Of Islamic Studies, Federal College Of Education, Pmb 3045, Kano, Nigeria
EMail: [email protected]
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Spatial Distribution of Mental Retardation in Iran
By Ali GoliAbstractMedical geography applies the theory, methods and analysis tools of geography science to the study of human health, disease and health care systems. As the Geographic Information System (GIS) has evolved since the mid-twentieth century, its uses have spread in geographic-related knowledge. Medical geography also uses GIS in the study and analysis of health and diseases researches. Mental retardation (MR) is a subset of developmental delay (DD), a broader classification of childhood disability. Spatial analysis is useful for the identification of areas with MR people. Identification of clusters based on MR provides an important tool to investigate risk exposures. However, even though MR is a substantial public health problem, there are no previous analyses of spatial clustering of MR using individual case data. In this paper, we examine the use of the spatial analysis approach in the analysis of MR clustering. We used data from the 2006 census, which addresses the amount of MR data available on a county level. MR cases with unknown causes were identified in the study population. Local statistic indices were used to identify spatial clusters of MR, the corresponding P-value for each geo-coded location, and the P-value surface contoured as a heat image to identify the MR clusters. The characteristics of the study population were analyzed using Moran's I value and Getis-Ord Gi statistic and the results confirm that clustering does occur for MR. The shapes of the identified MR clusters were found in counties with a high illiteracy percentage. Also MR cluster were discovered in counties with a high rate of residence in rural areas.
Keywords: Mental retardation / mMedical geography / Spatial analysis / Local statistic indices / Spatial cluster.
Ali Goli, Assistant professor, Sociology and Social Planning Department, Social Science Faculty, Shiraz University, Shiraz
EMail: [email protected]
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Response of Ficus nitida plants to Mycorrhizal Fungi, Ascorbic Acid and Fe- EDTA for Decreasing the Harmful Effect of Lead Pollution
More LessAbstractThis study was carried out at the Floriculture Nursery of the Ornamental Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University during 2005-2007 to investigate the effect of some treatments on Ficus nitida plants grown in polluted soil with Pb. Lead concentrations in soil (0, 500, 1000, 2000 ppm) in 1st stage and (0, 500, 2500, 5000 ppm) in 2nd stage caused changes in growth characters and chemical composition of Ficus nitida plants. Decreases in plant height, root length, branch numbers, leaf numbers and leaf areas, as well as fresh and dry weights of shoots and roots, were obtained in the two different stages of growth. Also, lead caused decrement in chl.a, chl.b, total carotenoids, catalase activity and micronutrients concentration, while increment in total sugars, total soluble phenols and free amino acids concentration, as well as peroxidase and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, were recorded in plant leaves under lead treatment compared with control in the two stages. On the other hand, a reverse trend in two stages was recorded by the plants treated with mycorrhiza fungi (500 and 1,000 spores) soil addition, Fe-EDTA (130 and 260 ppm) and ascorbic acid (250 and 500 ppm) foliar application under lead soil pollution. These treatments, can overcome, to some extent, the hazard effect of lead on Ficus nitida plants.
Key words: Fe- EDTA / Ficus nitida / Lead / Mycorrhizal fungi / Ascorbic acid.
Dr Abdullah Hussein Tahish, Forests and Horticulture Department—Faculty of Agriculture, Sana'a University
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Treatment of an Endocrine Disruption Pesticide by Microbial Biodegradation Process
More LessAbstractPesticides are widely used in agriculture to control a variety of pernicious organisms that spoil the crops. Nevertheless, low amounts of some residues may persist in the food supply, air, water and soil and could constitute a significant hazard pathway for humans. Most pesticides are classified by the World Health Organization as hazardous, and several widely used pesticides are known as potential Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Bifenthrin insecticide, widely used in agriculture, constitutes a major environmental problem, because of its high toxicity and its persistence in the environment. It is now well established that Bifenthrin interferes with the action of female sex hormones, causing reductions in ovary weight and lack of oestrus and it decreases the level of thyroid hormones present in the blood. Bioremediation is a pollution control technology that uses biological systems to catalyze the degradation or transformation of various toxic chemicals. The present study involves the isolation of bacterial and fungal cultures metabolizing bifenthrin pesticide from soil having previously exposed to the pesticide. The biodegradation of bifenthrin insecticide was studied using these indigenous isolated fungi (Aspergillus niger and Rhizopus stolonifer) and bacteria (Aeromonas sp and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The biodegradability was evaluated by the manometric respirometry test (OECD method 301F). The results showed that the evolution of biomass, biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) can highlight the biodegradation phenomenon. Maximum degrading potential was revealed by the fungi strains Aspergillus niger with 82.5% and Rhizopus stolonifer with 73.7% against 6 to11% for bacteria. The determined factorial design model successfully described the bifenthrin biodegradation phenomenon by the studied fungi. Therefore, the fungal strains might be useful for bioremediation of this endocrine disruption pesticide-contaminated environment.
Keywords: Endocrine disruption pesticide / Bifenthrin / Microbial biodegradation.
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No Oxidative Stress or Genotoxicity in Patients under Isoflurane or Propofol Anesthesia
More LessAbstractOxidative stress is characterized by the imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and antioxidant production. It is known that ROS can cause DNA lesions, which may be related to mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. However, little is known about the lipoperoxidation, antioxidant capacity and oxidative DNA damage in patients undergoing inhaled anesthetic isoflurane (ISF) or the intravenous anesthetic propofol (PF) during surgical procedure. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of isoflurane and propofol anesthesia on DNA, lipoperoxidation and on the antioxidant capacity in patients undergoing elective surgery lasting at least 120 minutes. The Ethical Committee of the Institution approved the protocol of the study, which included 30 adult patients (both genders, 18-50 years old) classified by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) as physical status I (healthy patient with no disease other than a surgical abnormality), and who were scheduled for otorhinological surgery. Patients were randomized to receive general anesthesia with propofol (n=15) or isoflurane anesthesia (n=15). Blood samples were drawn before anesthesia (T1-baseline) and 120 minutes after the beginning of anesthesia (T2). Lymphocytes were isolated and comet assay was performed using OGG1 enzyme to detect oxidative DNA damage. Both malondialdehyde (MDA), which is a potential biomarker of oxidative stress (one of the end products of lipoperoxidation), and hydrophilic antioxidant capacity were evaluated in plasma by using a fluorescent plate reader. Despite an increased hydrophilic antioxidant capacity during anesthesia in both groups (ISF and PF), and decreased amount of oxidative DNA lesions at T2, differences between T1 and T2 were not statistically significant. Also MDA levels did not change between T1 and T2 moments or between the groups. In conclusion, none of the anesthetics (propofol or isoflurane) led to oxidative stress or caused oxidative DNA damage in ASA I patients undergoing surgical procedure.
Financial support: FAPESP (grant number 2010/05611-0) Salvadori DMF1, Braz MG1, Freire CM1, Braz LG2, Ferreira ALA3, Braz JRC2
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Evaluation of Genotoxicity of Medicaments in Sick Patients
More LessAbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the genotoxicity of medication in bucall cells, used in chemotherapy of sick patients with lung cancer. Following chemotherapy treatment, samples were taken five, 10 and 15 days afterwards, with cytobrush, and placed in a ringer solution. Samples were taken from 30 patients suffering from lung cancer; The control group consisted of 30 subjects. A high frequency of micronuclei in exfoliated bucall cells were found after treatment wih medication, but they were not statistically significant. According to this result, we can conclude that chemotherapy induces the micronuclei in bucall cells of patients lung cancer.
Keywords: Genotoxicity / Medicaments / Hospital / Lung
Kemajl Kurteshi, Kasum Letaj, Muharrem Ismaili, Zeqir Shaqiri
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In Vitro Cancer Chemopreventive Properties of Polysaccharide Extract from the Brown Alga, Sargassum Latifolium
By Mona AbozeidAbstractPolysaccharides of edible algae attracted extensive interest due to their numerous biological activities. Sargassum latifolium (Turner) C. Agardh, belongs to Sargassaceae, is —a brown algae found in Egyptian Red Sea shores. This work is a novel attempt to explore the cancer chemopreventive activity of different fractions of water-soluble polysaccharide extract derived from S. latifolium. Estimation of cancer chemopreventive activity, specifically anti-initiation, including the modulation of carcinogen metabolism and the antioxidant capacity, revealed that E1 and E4 were potent anti-initiators, where they lead not only to an inhibition in the carcinogen activator cytochrome P450 1A (IC50 2.54 and 10.30 µg/ml, respectively), but also to an induction in the carcinogen detoxification enzymes glutathione-S-transferases (144 percent and 225 percent of the control, respectively). E1 and E4 inhibited 59 percent and 63 percent of the induced-DNA damage, as measured by comet assay. Similarly both E1 and E4 possessed potential anti-promoting properties as indicated by their anti-inflammatory activity. E1 and E4 enhanced the macrophage proliferation; however they dramatically inhibited the stimulated NO (30.7percent and 59.3 percent), TNF-a (38.2 percent and 54.9) and COX-2 (20 percent and 18 percent), respectively. E3 showed a selective cytotoxicity against lymphoblastic leukemia (1301 cells), while other fraction extracts had no cytotoxic effect against all tested cell lines. E3 led to a major disturbance in cell cycle including arrest in both S-phases in 1301 cells. This disturbance was associated with an induced-cell death due to apoptosis, but not necrosis.
In conclusion, E1 and E4 are promising cancer chemopreventive fractions, since they had tumor anti- initiating activity via their protective modulation of carcinogen metabolism, and tumor anti-promoting activity via their anti-inflammatory activity, while E3 can be considered as a promising anti-cancer agent against leukemia.
Keywords: Sargassum latifolium / Cytochrome P450 / Cancer chemoprevention / Anti-initiating / Anti promoting / Apoptosis.
Amira M. Gamal-Eldeen a, Eman F. Ahmed b, Mona A. Abo-Zeid c
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Antagonistic Role of Selenium against Hepatotoxic Effects of Nicl2 in Preimplanted Wistar Albino Rats
More LessAbstractNickel, a potent toxic metal, is very harmful to the environment and to humans because of its in vivo accumulation in liver. The present study was conducted to investigate the protective effect of selenium (Se) against nickel toxicity on liver function in preimplanted Wistar albino rats. NiCl2 was given on day three of pregnancy either in distilled drinking water at a dose of 20 mg/L/day) for 16 consecutive days or as a single s.c. dose of 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg. Se was given as an s.c. injection (0.3 mg/kg) together with the higher dose (100 mg/kg) of NiCl2. Changes in plasma glucose, triglycerides and total cholesterol were measured in treated and control groups on days five and 20 of gestation. NiCl2 s.c. induced on day five of gestation showed a significant (<0.05) decrease in plasma triglycerides, with a dose of 100 mg / kg (-48 percent). This decrease was maintained at day 20 of gestation with doses of 50 mg / kg (-36 percent) and 100 mg / kg (-31 percent). In contrast, the low dose induced an increase of + 50 percent in plasma triglyceride compared to controls. In addition, NiCl2 s.c. caused on day five of gestation a significant decrease (p <0.05) in plasma total cholesterol with the low (-50 percent) and medium doses (-26 percent). However, the dose of 100 mg / kg induced a significant increase (114 percent) in plasma total cholesterol on day 20 of gestation compared to controls. NiCl2 s.c. induced a significant increase in plasma glucose (+125 percent) on day 20 of pregnancy. The pretreatment with Se counteracted the effects of NiCl2 on plasma glucose, total cholesterol and triglycerides.
NiCl2 administered in the drinking water induced a significant increase (<0.05) in plasma triglycerides (+68 percent) and cholesterol (+49 percent) on day 20 of gestation, while on day five of gestation NiCl2 s.c. induced a significant decrease in cholesterol (-31 percent) compared to controls. All doses of NiCl2 induced an alteration of liver architecture. Co-administration of Se with NiCl2 restored the structure of the liver.
These results suggested that selenium has a hepatoprotective role against the toxicity induced by NiCl2 administered subcutaneously in preimplanted rats. .
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Health Hazards faced by Women Beedi Rollers
More LessAbstractHealth problems of 197 female beedi rollers were studied in Patna, Bihar, India to ascertain the effects of beedi rolling on hematological parameters, liver function and on the eyes, respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems. The study found that more than 70 percent of the beedi rollers suffered from eye, gastrointestinal and nervous problems while more than 50 percent of the respondents suffered from respiratory problems, mostly throat burning and cough. More than 75 percent of the respondents faced osteological problems. Total RBC, WBC and platelet counts of the beedi rollers were significantly lower in comparison to the control subjects. Differential leucocyte count showed significantly risen lymphocytes and eosinophils and lowered neutrophils and monocytes in the beedi rollers as compared to the control group. Hemoglobin levels were lower among beedi rollers compared to the control group. SGPT (ALT) enzyme concentration, a parameter of liver dysfunction, was significantly increased in the beedi rollers compared to the control group. The study revealed that women beedi rollers face numerous health problems possibly due to direct inhalation of tobacco flakes and dust. .
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Preference of Human Biological Samples for Exposure Assessment of Elemental Pollution and Health Implication
More LessAbstractThe compounds of nickel, arsenic, cobalt, beryllium, thallium, aluminum, lead, mercury, zirconium and cadmium exert pronounced comutagenic effects, by disturbing DNA repair and interfering with base and nucleotide excision repair. These elements can be widely dispersed throughout the environment as a result of fossil fuel combustion, industrial and agricultural processes and natural processes. The potential mobilization of these toxic trace metals and metalloids in our environment, pose health hazards, in particular, children exposed to metals are more susceptible to DNA damage. A number of human samples: hair, nails, blood, urine, teeth, saliva, perspiration, milk and semen were analyzed for levels of trace elements to compare with the presence or absence of micronuclei in peripheral blood leucocytes and disturbances of DNA repair systems. The ranges of lead, nickel and cadmium are found in urine, blood, teeth, hair and nails of general subjects from Mysore, India, and the absence of micronuclei levels in their peripheral blood samples, indicated that the elemental levels were below the threshold limit and that there is a need for reference values of these elements measured in the biosamples with the micronuclei assessment for confirmation and assurance. The literature was reviewed, and the reference values of mutagenic elements for biosamples was presented and discussed. .
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Elevated Serum Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers and Alteration of Thyroid Hormones in Children from Guiyu, China
By Junxiao LiuAbstractOur objective was to explore the thyroid hormones (TH), and problems related to polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants exposure in children in an electronic waste recycling town of Guiyu. We determined blood PBDE levels, by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, in 145 children, aged four to six years old, from Guiyu, China. Three THs were also measured. The geometric mean (95 percent CI) of the total PBDE (∑PBDE) was 162.98 (141.25-186.21) ng/g lipid for Guiyu children. The concentration of ∑PBDE exceeded 100ng/g lipid of Guiyu children was 79 percent (115 children). The serum free T3 (median 5.73, range 3.80-7.71 pmol/L) and serum free T4 (median 15.91, range 8.89-22.45 pmol/L) in high PBDE exposure group (300.1-583.0 ng/g lipid of ∑PBDEs) were lower than in the control group (0-100.0 ng/g lipid of ∑PBDEs), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in high PBDE exposure group was higher than in the control (all P< 0.05). The TH levels were correlated with most of the PBDE concentrations. Residence adjacent to e-waste workshops, as determined by the questionnaire, was an independent predictor of the free T3 levels, and the house as a family workshop was a significant predictor of the free T4 (all P<0.05). Residence adjacent to e-waste workshops and the house as a family workshop were associated with serum TSH (all P< 0.05). These results suggest that elevated child PBDE levels in Guiyu, may threaten child health, with implications for altered child TH levels, due to informal e-waste recycling activities.
Junxiao Liu, Xijin Xu, Yuanping Wang, Qiongna Xiao, Xia Huo .
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Water Sanitation and Hygiene Correlation with Human Health Problems in Georgia
More LessAbstractAccess to safe drinking water and sanitation is essential for the protection and promotion of health. It is a basic human right, and a key component of an effective public health delivery system. The importance of community water supply and sanitation as a key health and development issue, has been highlighted in a number of international policy forums in Georgia. In terms of priority environmental conditions, diarrhoea and dysentery still constitute major health problems for some villages. The study conducted by AFRD attempted to gauge the perceptions and level of awareness of the respondents on the following issues to assess the impact on the personal hygiene practices and overall health and disease burden on the following issues: upkeep of personal hygiene, safe storage and handling of drinking water, home and food sanitation, safe disposal of human excreta, safe disposal of solid wastes, safe disposal of liquid wastes, sanitation in the community. An attempt was made to measure the perceptions and level of awareness by questions defining each of the issues mentioned above. In order to analyse the overall trend, a public health awareness score was worked out for all the sample respondents.
Dr Kakha Nadiradze, President AFRD, Mrs. Nana Phirosmanashvili, Researcher AFRD Association for Farmers Rights Defense, AFRD email; [email protected] .
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Pesticides as an Environmental Health Risk Factor in Children Living in Agricultural Areas - Exposure Science in Public Health
More LessAbstractThe seasonal accessibility and stability of pesticides by spreading and/or decomposing result in the migration and deposition of these products to all elements of the environment. In the context of a complex, multi-factor chemical hypersensitivity, the presence of pesticides in the environment and their long-term negative effects is an important factor in the health condition of the population living in areas of intensive pesticide use. Aside from the adult population, the rural child population is especially exposed. The constant exposure of children to even low concentrations of pesticides may lead to permanent health disorders and limits to their development. A child’s exposure already starts during the prenatal period of development, when toxic substances, including pesticides and their metabolites penetrate through the placental barrier into the foetus, which may inhibit intrauteral growth and contribute to the reduction in the duration of pregnancy or lower birth weight. Children absorb toxic substances via the respiratory and alimentary route more easily than adults, discharge xenobionts cumulated in the body more slowly, have a quicker pace of metabolic change, and their physiology is constantly developing. Therefore, it is advisable to evaluate the effect of environmental exposure of pesticides to children living in areas where there is intensive use of plant protection products. Key words: Pesticides / Environmental Exposure / Children / Biomarkers
LUCYNA KAPKA-SKRZYPCZAK, MAŁGORZATA CYRANKA, MACIEJ SKRZYPCZAK, MARCIN KRUSZEWSKI .
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Environmental and Occupational Health Impacts for Tobacco Cultivation: A Case Study on a Developing Country (Bangladesh)
More LessAbstractBangladesh is an agriculture-based country. However, nowadays, tobacco cultivation has increased significantly (about 65 percent) in the last few years compared to other cereal crops. Tobacco cultivation has an impact not only by its production but also by its processing. The overall impact of tobacco cultivation is negative, considering the environmental and occupational health measures and indicators. The environment is damaged due to the overuse of pesticides and fertilizers, tobacco processing; and occupational health is in a vulnerable state due to the dispersal of harmful substances emitted during tobacco processing. The social impacts are significant, and respiratory and lung diseases are now obvious to the tobacco farmers and their families. Social surveys were conducted at the tobacco cultivation sites to identify the social and environmental impacts of tobacco cultivation. In this study, an assessment of environmental and occupational health impacts due to tobacco cultivation and processing were highlighted considering the health issues. A risk assessment framework was suggested considering the social and environmental dynamics of tobacco cultivation in different areas of Bangladesh.
Keywords: Environment / Health / Impacts / Occupational / Tobacco
Shahriar Rahman, Environmental and GIS Specialist, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Bangladesh Country Office, House # 11, Road # 138, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh EMail: [email protected] .
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Study of Oral Health Among Workers in the Field of Radiation
More LessAbstractThis study was designed to investigate the characteristics of oral conditions of workers in a radiation field. The study was carried out on male subjects with ages ranging from 25-45 years and working in the National Center for Research and Radiation Technology (NCRRT), under protective measures and subjected to long-term low dose ionizing radiation. The subjects were divided into four groups; the first three groups represented the study groups, including subjects working in the radiation field; and a fourth group, the control group, including subjects working away from the radiation field. Study groups were divided according to the duration of work into the first group (including 20 subjects working for at least 10 years), the second group (including 20 subjects working from 5-10 years and the third group (including subjects working for at least five years). The investigation in bothstudy and control groups was made via immunological assessment by determination of the level of secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA), microbiological assessment via detection of aerobic, anaerobic bacteria and Candida albicans and by dental assessment through determination of dental indices (Decayed Missed –Filled (DMF) index, periodontal index and Plaque index). The results of this study reported lower level of SIgA in study groups compared to controls and the presence of Actinobacillus-actinomycetemcomitans, Fusobacterium and Bacteriod Forythus in study groups. There was a significant difference between the study and control groups regarding DMF index, periodontal index and Plague index, in addition to the negative correlation between SIgA and the dental índices. This study showed that workers in the radiation hall NCRRT, subjected to long-term low dose ionizing radiation, were found to be at higher risk of carying and periodontal diseases compared to the control group.
Hala I Awadalla, Radwa A sallam, Mohamed G. Haggag, Abd El Monem S.Bashandi, Khaled A Abd El Khaffar .
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Antimutagenic Polyphenols in African Foods
More LessAbstractPolyphenols are ubiquitous in plant foods, and many have been associated with a variety of biological activities, including antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic properties. Some African foodstuffs have been analyzed for antimutagenic polyphenols by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Electrospray Ionization–Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS). The results showed that Dacryodes edulis fruit, Moringa oleifera and Syzygium aromaticum contained polyphenols like ellagic acid, gallate, methylgallate, catechol, kaempferol quercetin and their derivatives. Also Canarium schweinfurthii Engl oil contained phenolic compounds and lignans, namely; catechol, p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, tyrosol, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, dihydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, phloretic acid, pinoresinol, secoisolariciresinol. In addition, tomatoes (Lycopersicun esculentum Mill) contained the powerful antioxidant, lycopene; cabbage (Brassica oleracea) contained indole-3-carbinol; citrus fruits contained pectin; Soursop (Annona muricata) contained annonaceous acetogenins; soya beans (Glycine max) contained isoflavones; chilli pepper (Capsicum annuum) contained capsaicin, and green tea (Camellia sinensis) contained (-) epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), (-) epicatechin, (-) epicatechin-3-gallate and (-) epigallocatechin -3-gallate. Considered together with the reported presence of antimutagenic polyphenols, especially flavonoids in other African foods like bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina), red palm oil (Elaeis guineensis), Hibiscus sabdariffa), okra (Hibiscus esculentus), Beniseed (Sesanum indicum), Adansonia digitata, Amaranthus sp, Telfeiria occidentalis, locust beans (Parkia clapertoniana), ginger (Ginger officinale), garlic (Allium sativum), Tamarindus indica, cashew (Anacardium occidentalis), Mango (Mangifera indica), Vitex doniana, Syzygium aromaticum, Balanites aegyptiaca, citrus fruits, Irvingia gabonensis, Psidium guavjava, Talinum triangulare, Garcinia cola, tomatoes, soya beans, atile (Canarium schweinfurthii), it is concluded that a number of African foods have the capacity to mitigate against mutation induced by several environmental agents, and therefore could contribute significantly to cancer chemoprevention.
S.E. Atawodi, Biochemistry Department, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria EMail: [email protected] .
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Antimutagenic Polyphenols in African Foods
More LessAbstractThe major problem with cancer is the ability of cancer cells to infiltrate surrounding tissue (invasion) or to spread to distant organs (metastasis), thereby decreasing the patient’s survival. One of the first steps in the process of metastasis is local spreading or invasion from the primary tumour and certain Ca2+ -binding proteins of the S100 family eg, S100A4 and S100P, can induce a metastatic phenotype and enhance cell migration and invasion. Both S100A4 and S100P are expressed at elevated levels in several forms of cancer including breast, pancreatic, prostate, colon, ovary, oesophagus and lung cancer. Initially, we introduced a series of deletion mutants on the S100A4 protein by truncation of the C-terminal region. The S100A4 open-reading-frame cloned into an expression vector was subjected to site-directed mutagenesis to create the mutations, either by deletion or by substitution. These mutant proteins, when expressed in cells, conferred reduced metastasis, invasion and migration-inducing abilities, compared to cells expressing wild type S100A4 protein. The mutations reduced the ability of the S100A4 protein to bind to one of its intracellular targets, non-muscle myosin II heavy chain isoform A (NMMHCIIA) in vitro. There was a significant reduction in metastasis, migration and binding to NMMHCIIA when only the last two basic C-terminal lysine residues (Lys100, 101) were removed. A similar decrease in metastasis, migration, and invasion was also observed in mutated S100P protein. Removing the single C-terminal lysine residue from S100P protein, or its replacement by alanine, dramatically reduced the metastasis-promoting ability of this protein. Binding to NMMHCIIA was also tested in vitro. The results showed that S100P mutant protein exhibited 10-folds lower affinity to NMMHCIIA than to the wild type protein. In vivo, cells expressing high levels of S100P mutant protein exhibited a dramatically changed organisation of the NMMHCIIA cytoskeleton compared to cells expressing wild type S100P. There was also change in the actin cytoskeleton to a more polarised, highly bundled structure in cells with an elevated level of mutant S100P protein compared to cells expressing the wild type protein. These results identify the lysine(s) at the C-terminal of these two S100 family proteins as being important in their binding to one of their target proteins, in cell migration, cytoskeletal organisation, cell invasion and metastasis. These observations may have pharmaceutical implications for potential anti-cancer drugs targeted to S100A4 and S100P. This work was supported by the James Tudor Foundation and the Cancer and Polio Research Fund.
Thamir Ismail, Stephane Gross, Connie Goh, Mark C. Wilkinson, Philip S. Rudland and Roger Barraclough .
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Detection of HPV DNA (16 and 18) in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Tongue by Polymerase Chain Reaction
More LessAbstractHuman papilloma virus (HPV) is one of the important causal agents of gynecological cancers which appears to play an important role in cancer of the oral cavity and oropharynx. This study evaluates the relationship between the presence of HPV and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue in nonsmokers in south Iran. In this case-control study, pathologic specimens of 35 nonsmokers with a histological diagnosis of tongue SCC, compared with 30 specimen from patients with tongue lesions other than intraepithelial neoplasms. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect HPV16 and 18 genome in both groups. 10 out of 35 in the case group and one out of 30 in the control group, 28.5 percent versus 3.3 percent, showed the presence of the HPV genome by use of PCR. Chi-square test used for statistical analysis of data (p value=0.007). Nevertheless, the present study supports the strong association between HPV infection and tongue SCC in non-smokers. Tongue SCC is known as a rare disease, so the planning for more advanced studies to confirm this association and the use of proper HPV vaccination is strongly suggested; particularly when an increase of oro-genital practice worldwide increases the incidence of tongue SCC. .
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Adaptive Response in a Population Exposed to High Levels of Air Pollution
More LessAbstractWe investigated the impact of air pollution on individuals living in the heavily polluted industrial Ostrava region and compared it with individuals from the relatively clean capital city of Prague, Czech Republic. The study was conducted in three sampling stages, differing in the concentrations of air pollutants (winter 2009, summer 2009 and winter 2010). In all stages the study subjects from the Ostrava region were exposed to significantly higher concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and benzene than the subjects in Prague. To evaluate DNA damage in subjects from both locations we detected levels of bulky DNA adducts, chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei in peripheral blood lymphocytes, and oxidative stress markers in blood plasma and urine. Despite significantly higher concentrations of pollutants in the Ostrava region in all sampling periods, the levels of biomarkers were mostly comparable in both locations suggesting a possible role of adaptive response to environmental pollution in the Ostrava subjects. Whole genome expression analysis revealed significant differences between locations in expression profiles of genes participating in apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, DNA repair, inflammation and in metabolism of xenobiotics. Our results indicate that long-term exposure to high levels of environmental pollutants may lead to adaption of the organism to the effect of xenobiotics. However, the adaption leads to a shorter life-span of the affected population.
Supported by the Czech Ministry of the Environment (SP/1b3/8/08) and the Czech Ministry of Education (2B08005).
Pavel Rossner, Jr., Olena Beskid, Alena Milcova, Anna Pastorkova, Andrea Rossnerova, Jana Schmuczerova, Vlasta Svecova, Nana Tabashidze, Elena Tulupova, Jan Topinka, Radim J. Sram Laboratory of Genetic Ecotoxicology, Institute of Experimental Medicine AS CR, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic .
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Nanosilver Induced DNA Damage does not Correlate with Cell Survival
More LessAbstractAlthough silver and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (Ag NP and TiO2 NP) belong to the NP most often studied, the mechanisms of their biological effects are still not fully understood. Moreover, there are numerous discrepancies in the reports on the extent of DNA damage induced by Ag NP in various mammalian cells in in vitro studies. The available data on Ag NP genotoxicity in vitro are based on short-term assays, such as MTT or Neutral Red assay, and no attempt has been made to directly relate DNA damage to clonogenicity loss. Therefore, we undertook a detailed study of unfunctionalised Ag NP and TiO2 NP action on 3 mammalian cell lines: human hepatocellular liver carcinoma HepG2, human lung carcinoma A549 and human colorectal adenocarcinoma HT-29. The end-points examined in this report after 2h and 24h treatment with NP, were DNA breakage estimated by the comet assay and oxidative base damage recognized by formamido-pyrimidine glycosylase (FPG) and estimated with the FPG+comet assay. Further, the frequencies of histone γH2AX foci and micronuclei, apoptosis as well as metabolic activity (MTT assay) and clonogenic capacity were estimated. Each cell line had a different pattern of DNA breakage and base damage versus NP concentration and time of treatment. There were no increases in the frequencies of histone γH2AX foci and micronuclei as compared to those in the untreated cells. Our results provided no data that would link DNA damage induced by Ag NP to the early apoptosis or to the loss of clonogenic ability. Such a conclusion is especially convincing for 20 nm TiO2 NP which induce DNA damage at a level comparable to that of 20 nm Ag NP but, in contrast with 20 nm Ag NP, hardly affects clonogenic ability. This does not mean that DNA lesions induced by NP are harmless, especially at the organismal level. When incorrectly repaired, they may lead to mutations in proteins, in consequence bringing about various adverse effects on human health, including cancer predisposition, neurodegeneration, and immunodeficiency.
Sylwia Męczyńska-Wielgosz, Teresa Bartłomiejczyk, Iwona Grądzka, Anna Lankoff, Maria Wojewódzka, Grzegorz Wójciuk, Karolina Wójciuk, Maria Dusinska, Lucyna Kapka-Skrzypczak, Marcin Kruszewski
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Means of Legal Protection of the Environment
More LessAbstractProtection of the environment, anywhere, requires carrying out three indispensable fundamental tasks to achieve the desired goal of raising the level of environmental awareness among the population; to avoid the risk of ignorance of the importance of preserving the environment, and to face excessive pollution cases. This is done by introducing the protection of the environment within educational programs in schools and universities; also using media and modern communications to prepare qualified professionals in the fields of environmental science to work at protecting the environment. This will safeguard against all kinds of pollution, by planning and implementation, so that the protection of the environment will be an element of the feasibility study of the projects to be set up, and the most important factor that controls human behavior in operational areas. Enactment of laws is necessary to protect the environment from attacks that can occur in any element, and the most effective laws are those that protect against pollution and prevent its occurrence; or even putting a deterrent in place such as penalties for the environmental violation. The aim of these sanctions is to limit the behaviors that causeenvironmental pollution by instilling a fear of punishment. Environmental protection laws have become one of the most important laws imposed over the last decade and this is a basic necessity for many countries to preserve the environment. Degrees of interest in environmental legislation and provisions contained therein, have varied as it progresses and develops. Developed countries with a high awareness but lacking in the development of legal rules, and underdeveloped countries differ in their positions on environmental laws, particularly concerning food shortage and poverty. However, legislations, for the most part, have been weak in terms of protection, or they did not implement them strongly enough. .
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