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Physicochemical characterisation of combustion particles from vehicle exhaust and residential wood smoke.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to ambient particulate matter has been associated with a number of adverse health effects. Particle characteristics such as size, surface area and chemistry seem to influence the negative effects of particles. In this study, combustion particles from vehicle exhaust and wood smoke, currently used in biological experiments, were analysed with respect to microstructure and chemistry. METHODS: Vehicle exhaust particles were collected in a road tunnel during two seasons, with and without use of studded tires, whereas wood smoke was collected from a stove with single-stage combustion. Additionally, a reference diesel sample (SRM 2975) was analysed. The samples were characterised using transmission electron microscopy techniques (TEM/HRTEM, EELS and SAED). Furthermore, the elemental and organic carbon fractions were quantified using thermal optical transmission analysis and the content of selected PAHs was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Carbon aggregates, consisting of tens to thousands of spherical primary particles, were the only combustion particles identified in all samples using TEM. The tunnel samples also contained mineral particles originating from road abrasion. The geometric diameters of primary carbon particles from vehicle exhaust were found to be significantly smaller (24 +/- 6 nm) than for wood smoke (31 +/- 7 nm). Furthermore, HRTEM showed that primary particles from both sources exhibited a turbostratic microstructure, consisting of concentric carbon layers surrounding several nuclei in vehicle exhaust or a single nucleus in wood smoke. However, no differences were detected in the graphitic character of primary particles from the two sources using SAED and EELS. The total PAH content was higher for combustion particles from wood smoke as compared to vehicle exhaust, whereas no source difference was found for the ratio of organic to total carbon. CONCLUSION: Combustion particles from vehicle exhaust and residential wood smoke differ in primary particle diameter, microstructure, and PAH content. Furthermore, the analysed samples seem suitable for assessing the influence of physicochemical characteristics of particles on biological responses.

Journal Article↗

Effects of herbal drugs prescribed in wood creosote pills on the dissolution profile of guaiacol.

Wood creosote pills (P4) containing wood creosote and four herbal drugs, Gambir, Phellodendri Cortex, Glycyrrhizae Radix, and Citri Unshiu Pericarpium (CUP), have been used to treat food poisoning and diarrhea through self-medication in Japan. The mean dissolution time (MDT) of guaiacol, one of the active constituents of wood creosote, from P4 (138.3+/-3.3 min) was significantly longer than that (42.6+/-4.3 min) from pills (P0) containing only wood creosote. The MDT of the variant pills prepared from P4 without CUP (54.3+/-12.5 min) was found to be significantly shorter than that of P4. These findings suggest that CUP plays an important role in sustaining the dissolution of guaiacol from P4. The long MDT of guaiacol is considered one of the most important factors affecting the duration of efficacy after oral administration of wood creosote pills. The present findings are considered proof that CUP has been prescribed in traditional as well as new formulations of wood creosote pills.

Creosote↗

Ethanol production using concentrated oak wood hydrolysates and methods to detoxify.

Ethanol production from concentrated oak wood hydrolysate was carried out to obtain a high ethanol concentration and a high ethanol yield. The effect of added inhibitory compounds, which are typically produced in the pretreatment step of steam-explosion on ethanol fermentation, was also examined. p-Hydroxybenzoic aldehyde, a lignin-degradation product, was the most inhibitory compound tested in this study. Compounds with additional methyl groups had reduced toxicity and the aromatic acids were less toxic than the corresponding aldehydes. The lignin-degradation products were more inhibitory than the sugar-derived products, such as furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). Adaptation of yeast cells to the wood hydrolysate and detoxification methods, such as using charcoal and overlime, had some beneficial effects on ethanol production using the concentrated wood hydrolysate. After treatment with charcoal and low-temperature sterilization, the yeast cells could utilize the concentrated wood hydrolysate with 170 as well as 140 g/L glucose, and produce 69.9 and 74.2 g/L ethanol, respectively, with a yield of 0.46-0.48 g ethanol/g glucose. In contrast, the cells could not completely utilize untreated wood hydrolysate with 100 g/L glucose. Low-temperature sterilization, with or without charcoal treatment, was very effective for ethanol production when highly concentrated wood hydrolysates were used. Low-temperature sterilization has advantages over traditional detoxification methods, such as using overlime, ion exchange, and charcoal, because of the reduction in the total cost of ethanol production.

Journal Article↗

Observations on myiasis by the calliphorids, Bufolucilia silvarum and Bufolucilia elongata, in wood frogs, Rana sylvatica, from southeastern Wisconsin.

Larvae of certain species of blowflies (Calliphoridae) can cause myiasis in frogs and toads, but there are few reports from North American amphibians. Of these, most are from toads (bufonids). In this study, we observe primary myiasis in a population of juvenile wood frogs, Rana sylvatica, collected on 22-23 August 2003, from southeastern Wisconsin and compare our observations with previous studies on myiasis from toads. Two (5%) of 39 frogs were infected by the blow fly Bufolucilia silvarum, with an intensity of 28 and 31, whereas 1 (2.5%) of 39 frogs was infected by the blow fly Bufolucilia elongata with an intensity of 14. We found that (1) B. silvarum lay eggs on healthy wood frogs, (2) eggs hatch, with first-instar maggots penetrating under the skin, (3) maggots develop to mature third instars within 13-16 hr of egg hatching, (4) maggots kill the host within 7-47 hr of egg hatching, and (5) maggots consume the entire frog carcass reducing it to bones within 42-59 hr of egg hatching. Our observations on the time of death and how quickly carcasses of wood frogs were consumed by these maggots compared with previous studies on toads suggest that finding infected juvenile wood frogs may be uncommon. Therefore, myiasis by these flies on wood frogs and other small terrestrial anurans may be a phenomenon that is much more common than is currently observed. This is the first report of B. silvarum and B. elongata causing myiasis in wood frogs.

Animals↗

Wood biomechanics and anatomy of PACHYCEREUS PRINGLEI.

We report the longitudinal, biomechanical, and anatomical trends observed for tissue samples drawn from the parallel aligned, prismatic woody vascular bundles running the length of a Pachycereus pringlei plant measuring 5.22 m in height. The main vertical stem of this plant was cut into five segments (labeled A through E in the acropetal direction) measuring ∼1.02 m in length. Four of the 14 vascular bundles in each segment were surgically removed to obtain 20 vascular bundle segments that were tested in bending to determine their stiffness measured in the radial E(R) and tangential E(T) direction. We also determined the lignin content of representative samples of wood.A nonlinear trend in stiffness was observed: E(R) and E(T) were highest in segments B or C (1.67 GN/m and 1.09 GN/m, respectively), lower in segment A (E(R) = 1.18 GN/m and E(T) = 0.35 GN/m), and lowest in segment E (E(R) = 0.03 GN/m and E(T) = 0.20 GN/m). Similar longitudinal trends were seen for axial tissue volume fraction and fiber wall thickness, which achieved their highest values in segment B (69.8% and 6.59 μm, respectively). Wood stiffness also correlated significantly with cell wall lignin content: with respect to segment B (which had the highest lignin content, and was thus used as the standard reference for percent lignin content), lignin content, was 15, 60, 85, and 43% in segments E, D, C, and A, respectively. Fiber cell length, which increased toward the base of the stem and toward the vascular cambium in the most proximal vascular bundle segment, did not correlate with E(R) or E(T).Basic engineering principles were used to calculate stem stresses resulting from self-loading and any wind-induced bending moment (produced by drag forces). Calculations indicated that the less stiff wood produced in segment A eliminates a rapid and potentially dangerous increase in stresses that would otherwise occur in segments B or C. The less stiff wood in segment A also reduces the probability of shear failure at the cellular interface between the wood and surrounding tissues in this portion of the stem.We conclude that P. pringlei wood stiffness is dependent on the volume fraction and lignification of axial tissues, less so on fiber wall thickness, and that wood development in this species is adaptively responsive to self-loading and differentially applied external mechanical forces.

Journal Article↗

Dr. Byron McKeeby's contribution to Grant Wood's "American Gothic".

Grant Wood (1891-1942) was a major American regionalist artist from Iowa who produced his world famous icon, American Gothic in 1930. Along with Mona Lisa and Whistler's Mother, this work has become one of the most recognized paintings in the world. While it has been greatly admired by most of its viewers, it has been criticized by others. Currently on display at the Art Institute of Chicago, this oil painting portrays a grim faced farmer and his somber daughter who are resolutely standing in front of their rural, Gothic Revival farmhouse. The tall, gaunt farmer, looking straight ahead, firmly holds a pitchfork whose tines point upward, while his daughter, with her eyes averted appears to be showing disapproval. In American art, it is unusual to find the hard, cold realism and honest, direct and earthy qualities that Wood captures in American Gothic. Wood's actual intention was to present the work as a subtle and witty commentary on midwestern, rural life. To achieve his goal, Wood emulated the meticulous style and technique of the 16th century Flemish masters. His sister, Nan Wood Graham (1900-1990), and his 62-year-old dentist, Dr. Byron H. McKeeby (1867-1950), posed for the painting. This article describes how Grant developed this artistic style which is reflected in American Gothic. Additionally, it examines the strained interactions between Grant Wood, the artist, and Dr. Byron McKeeby, the model.

Dentist-Patient Relations↗

Microbiological aspects of wood chip storage in tropical environments.

The microbiology of tropical wood chip storage has been examined in small experimental piles at two sites in New Guinea. Biodeterioration occurred in the forms of wood discoloration and loss of wood substance, including cellulosics; over a period of 2-4 months c. 20% per month of the chip pile by volume was seriously discoloured by microorganisms, and wood substance loss amounted to c. 1.5% per month (microscopic assessment). A range of microorganisms which produce discoloration were isolated. Decay was mainly due to soft-rotting microfungi such as Chaetomium globosum, C. thermophile, Humicola lanuginosa, Cephalosporium acremonium and Gliomastix subiculosa. Wood-rotting basidiomycetes were infrequent, although pockets of decayed (white rot) mycelial-matted chips were observed in the outer 1.5 m during dismantling of the 4-month-old pile at Vanimo. A successional trend of colonizing microorganisms was established, and profiles of the main zones of microbiological activity have been determined. The rapid rise in temperature, which is characteristic of wood chip piles after construction, had a marked influence on the microbial populations. Thermotolerant isolates included Humicola spp., Aspergillus spp., some actinomycetes, and members of the bacterial genus Bacillus. Reasonable chemical control of biodeterioration was achieved by dipping chip samples in a 1% solution of sodium pentachlorophenate. Three trichlorophenol formulations were less effective.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function in mill workers exposed to wood dust.

This study surveyed wood dust exposure levels and pulmonary hazards among wood mill workers. Dust concentrations as measured by six-stage cascade impactors were high in work areas of grinding and screening. Total dust concentrations for these dusty activities ranged from 4.4 to 22.4 mg/m3, and the respirable proportions were between 2.4% and 50.2%. The dust level in the sawing work was 2.9 mg/m3. Although symptoms of cough and phlegm were higher in smoking workers than in nonsmoking workers, the prevalence of respiratory symptoms in the exposed workers was not significantly higher than in the controls. However, the incidence of symptoms such as chronic phlegm and chronic bronchitis in the nonsmoking high-exposure workers was significantly higher than in nonsmoking controls. The mean values of MMF, PEFR, and FEF25% were significantly lower in the exposed workers than in controls for both smokers and nonsmokers. The pulmonary function deficits, with the exception of FEV1.0/FVC, also showed a significant trend with increasing levels of wood dusts exposure classified by job titles for both smokers and nonsmokers. After adjustment for age, sex, height, and smoking status, all parameters of pulmonary function were significantly lower in exposed workers than in controls and showed a declining trend with increasing exposure levels classified by job titles. These results indicate that high level of wood dust exposure in the wood mill industries may lead to pulmonary hazards. Engineering control and industrial hygiene are mandatory for dusty activities.

Adult↗

Monoterpene and wood dust exposures: work-related symptoms among Finnish sawmill workers.

BACKGROUND: Monoterpenes and wood dust are released into the work environment during sawing of fresh wood. Symptoms related to exposure to monoterpenes and wood dust include irritation of the eyes, mucous membrane, and skin. METHODS: We studied 22 sawhouse workers who process pine and spruce in 1997-99. Exposure to monoterpenes was assessed by determining monoterpenes in air and verbenols in urine by gas chromatography using flame ionization detection. Wood dust was determined gravimetrically. A questionnaire was used to evaluate work-related subjective symptoms. RESULTS: Exposures to monoterpenes (geometric mean, GM) among sawhouse workers were 61-138 mg/m(3) and 2.0-13 mg/m(3) during processing of pine and spruce, respectively. Urinary verbenol correlated well with worker exposure to the alpha-pinene fraction of monoterpenes. The inhalable dust concentration in the breathing zone was 0.5- 2.2 mg/m(3) during pine processing and 0.4-1.9 mg/m(3) during spruce processing. The prevalence of symptoms, in the eyes or respiratory tract, was high during both seasons and in connection with either tree species. CONCLUSIONS: The highest monoterpene concentration (GM), in the breathing zone, measured during processing of pine, was less than one-fourth of the Finnish occupational exposure limit (OEL, 570 mg/m(3)). Verbenol concentrations in postshift urine samples reflected accurately the exposure to monoterpenes. The concentrations of inhalable dust (GM) were less than one-half the Finnish OEL (5 mg/m(3)). No significant differences in dust exposure were observed among tree species processed. Work-related symptoms appeared to correlate with monoterpene exposure during processing of pine and with wood dust exposure during processing of spruce.

Adult↗

Covalent linkages between cellulose and lignin in cell walls of coniferous and nonconiferous woods.

Covalent linkages between wall polysaccharides and lignin, especially linkage between cellulose and lignin were discussed by carboxymethylation technique of whole cell walls of coniferous and nonconiferous woods. Hydroxyl groups of plant cell walls polysaccharides were highly substituted, but not those of lignin by carboxymethyl groups under the used conditions, and separated into water-soluble and insoluble fractions by water extraction. Carboxymethylated wall polysaccharides linked covalently with lignin were distributed into the water-insoluble fractions. Composition of carboxymethylated sugar residues in the both fractions was analyzed quantitatively by 1H NMR spectroscopy after hydrolyzation with D2SO4 in D2O. More than half of cellulose linked covalently with lignin in coniferous wood, but only one-sixth of cellulose was involved in the linkage in nonconiferous wood. The major noncellulosic wall polysaccharides of coniferous wood also linked significantly with lignin. On the other hand, noncellulosic wall polysaccharides of nonconiferous wood were involved slightly in the covalent linkage with lignin. The situation of linkage between wall polysaccharides containing cellulose and lignin was visualized by scanning electron micrographs.

Cell Wall↗

Exposure to wood smoke, HPV infection, and genetic susceptibility for cervical neoplasia among women in Colombia.

Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer among women in Colombia (16/100,000). Infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) plays a major role in the etiology of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs). Exposure to chemical agents may be a cofactor for tumor induction, and individual genetic differences in the metabolism of these chemical agents may affect the susceptibility of individuals towards the development of HSIL. In this case-control study, a total of 91 cases with HSIL and 92 healthy controls, frequency-matched by age and place of origin, were recruited, and their frequencies of CYP2E1, GSTM1, and GSTT1 polymorphism were determined. We then evaluated the association of these polymorphisms, by themselves and in combination with wood smoke exposure and HPV-infection status, with the risk of HSIL. The results indicate that GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphism were not associated with HSIL, although a small increase in risk was observed for individuals who were GSTT1 null (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 0.57-3.44). Contrary to other investigations, the c2/c2 variant of the CYP2E1 gene was associated with a significant increase in risk after adjusting for wood smoke exposure (OR = 6.3, 95% CI = 1.10-36.38) or wood smoke exposure and HPV-infection status (OR = 10.7, 95% CI = 1.76-65.58). Wood smoke exposure also increased the risk of HSIL among CYP2E1 c2/c2 HPV-positive women (OR = 3.3, CI = 0.50-22.50); however, the increase did not achieve statistical significance. Our study provides tantalizing evidence that genetic differences in the metabolism of wood smoke carcinogens, particularly metabolism by CYP2E1, may confer susceptibility for HSIL development. Further investigations with larger populations will be needed to confirm this association, which may provide important information for improving cervical cancer prevention programs.

Adult↗

Genotoxicity of occupational exposure to wood dust: Micronucleus frequency and nuclear changes in exfoliated buccal mucosa cells.

Occupational exposure to wood dust is associated with the occurrence of nasal cancer. In this study, we investigated micronuclei and nuclear changes (NCs: binucleates, karyorrhexis, karyolysis, and the "broken egg" effect) in exfoliated buccal cells of 20 workers exposed to wood dust and 20 age- and sex-matched controls. Micronucleus frequency and the frequency of each of the NCs were significantly higher for wood workers than controls (P < 0.01). Cigarette smoking was associated with increased frequencies of micronuclei and NCs in the buccal mucosa epithelium cells of both the control and exposed groups. Our findings indicate that buccal cells of wood workers display increased levels of genotoxicity and toxicity, and that these biomarker responses may be related to the increased cancer risk among wood workers.

Adult↗

The proteome of maritime pine wood forming tissue.

Wood is one of our most important natural resources. Surprisingly, we know hardly anything about the details of the process of wood formation. The aim of this work was to describe the main proteins expressed in wood forming tissue of a conifer species (Pinus pinaster Ait.). Using high resolution 2-DE with linear pH gradient ranging from 4 to 7, a total of 1039 spots were detected. Out of the 240 spots analyzed by MS/MS, 67.9% were identified, 16.7% presented no homology in the databases, and 15.4% corresponded to protein mixtures. Out of the 57 spots analyzed by MALDI-MS, only 15.8% were identified. Most of the 175 identified proteins play a role in either defense (19.4%), carbohydrates (16.6%) and amino acid (14.9%) metabolisms, genes and proteins expression (13.1%), cytoskeleton (8%), cell wall biosynthesis (5.7%), secondary (5.1%) and primary (4%) metabolisms. A summary of the identified proteins, their putative functions, and behavior in different types of wood are presented. This information was introduced into the PROTICdb database and is accessible at http://cbib1.cbib.u-bordeaux2.fr/Protic/Protic/home/index.php. Finally, the average protein amount was compared with their respective transcript abundance as quantified through EST counting in a cDNA-library constructed with mRNA extracted from wood forming tissue.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

A study of yeasts during the delignification and fungal transformation of wood into cattle feed in Chilean rain forest.

In Chilean rain forest the presence and distribution of yeasts were studied during the fungal transformation of wood, producing a partially delignified material used as cattle feed ("huempe"). A total of 68 yeast species was reported, including a noticeable proportions of basidiomycetous and xylose-assimilating strains, the latter related to the increased availability of this sugar in the decayed wood. The results of the mathematic comparison of taxonomic data of 327 strains showed a delimitation of sharp clusters corresponding to different species, including several new species described from this substrate, and genera, as Rhodotorula and Cryptococcus. At the initial stages of wood decay, characterized by the presence of Candida species, yeast diversity was low. The highest values were found in the medium stage of decay, used as feed, with an important presence of the genera Apiotrichum, Rhodotorula, Cryptococcus and Schizoblastosporion. After establishing a non-linear ordination from Euclidean distances between samples, based on yeast abundances, a relationship was observed between the populations developing at the different stages of wood decay by Ganoderma applanatum. A succession of yeast species was demonstrated during wood degradation by this white-rot fungus.

Animal Feed↗

A fraction of beech wood mutagenic in the Salmonella/mammalian microsome assay.

Base-pair substitution mutagens were isolated from the dusts of several untreated samples of beech wood and tested for mutagenicity in the Salmonella/mammalian microsome assay. These compounds reverted Salmonella typhimurium his- TA 100 in the presence of Aroclor-induced rat S9. These mutagens were found to be toxic to the cells when tested in a histidine-rich medium (complete medium). Mutagenicity of the non-fractionated wood-dust extracts due to the presence of some inhibitory compounds of wood could not be confirmed significantly. These inhibitors counteracted the reversion of bacteria when the known mutagens, such as benzo(a)pyrene, aflatoxin B1 and ethyl methanesulfonate, were tested. The results indicate that beech wood-dust contains mutagenic constituent(s) which may contribute to their assumed tumor bearing effects among wood-workers.

Dose-Response Relationship, Drug↗

Effects of pentachlorophenol and other chemical preservatives on the health of wood-treating workers in Hawaii.

The morbidity and mortality of workers occupationally exposed to wood treating chemicals used in Hawaii for the years 1960 to 1981 were evaluated. The specific chemical exposures investigated were CCA (chromated copper-arsenate), TBTO (tributyl tin oxide) and PCP (pentachlorophenol). Results of detailed medical histories, laboratory and physiological tests, and physical examinations of 88 wood treaters were compared with those of 58 matched controls. The occupationally exposed cases had a significantly higher mean level of urinary PCP as compared to the controls (mean of 174 ppb vs. 35 ppb, micrograms/kg). There were no significant differences between the groups for the other urinary pesticide residues. The medical histories and physical examinations revealed no significant variations between the wood treaters and the comparison group. Review of all organ systems and laboratory data showed no clinically significant differences between exposed and nonexposed cohorts, although elevated hepatic enzymes in both groups merit further study. The results indicated no adverse health effects or increased incidence of mortality resulting from exposure to wood preservative chemicals in wood treaters who had worked in the industry for 0.33 to 26.3 years with a median of 6.5 years. Only 6 deaths were reported, 5 of cardiovascular disease, one of cause undetermined and none of cancer. Total number of deaths were less than the 8 anticipated for this age group.

Animals↗

Genotoxicity of wood dust in a human embryonic lung cell line.

Wood dust exposure has been found to be an occupational hazard, being linked to an enhanced incidence of various neoplasias. Here we performed an experiment to evaluate the ability of solvent extracts of natural woods to induce chromosome aberrations in respiratory cells in culture. Human embryonic lung cells, MRC-5, grown in Dulbecco's medium were exposed to various concentrations of the dust extracts of pesticide-free (untreated) beech, oak and pine woods. Three concentrations per extract with and without metabolic activation (S9) and 100 metaphase cells per dose were examined for possible structural aberrations. Although no dose-dependent activity could be found with any extract in the presence of S9, most aberrations observed were of the chromatid type caused by oak wood. Dose-dependent chromosomal breaks caused by oak and chromatid breaks caused by both beech and oak were observed in the absence of S9. These data might support the early hypothesis that hard wood dust per se contains some in vivo genotoxic and thus possibly carcinogenic components.

Animals↗

Detection in situ and characterization of lignin in the G-layer of tension wood fibres of Populus deltoides.

The occurrence of lignin in the additional gelatinous (G-) layer that differentiates in the secondary wall of hardwoods during tension wood formation has long been debated. In the present work, the ultrastructural distribution of lignin in the cell walls of normal and tension wood fibres from poplar (Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marshall) was investigated by transmission electron microscopy using cryo-fixation-freeze-substitution in association with immunogold probes directed against typical structural motifs of lignin. The specificity of the immunological probes for condensed and non-condensed guaiacyl and syringyl interunit linkages of lignin, and their high sensitivity, allowed detection of lignin epitopes of definite chemical structures in the G-layer of tension wood fibres. Semi-quantitative distribution of the corresponding epitopes revealed the abundance of syringyl units in the G-layer. Predominating non-condensed lignin sub-structures appeared to be embedded in the crystalline cellulose matrix prevailing in the G-layer. The endwise mode of polymerization that is known to lead to these types of lignin structures appears consistent with such an organized cellulose environment. Immunochemical labelling provides the first visualization in planta of lignin structures within the G-layer of tension wood. The patterns of distribution of syringyl epitopes indicate that syringyl lignin is deposited more intensely in the later phase of fibre secondary wall assembly. The data also illustrate that syringyl lignin synthesis in tension wood fibres is under specific spatial and temporal regulation targeted differentially throughout cell wall layers.

Animals↗