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Uraniosomes produced in the synovial membrane by uranyl acetate.

Uranyl acetate was injected into the rabbit knee joint. This produced single-membrane-bound presumably lysosmal bodies (called 'uraniosomes') containing electron-dense crystals in Type A and Type B synovial intimal cells, subsynovial macrophages and lipocytes. Uranium deposits were also seen in the extracellular matrix. All uraniosomes and extracellular deposits analysed by electron-probe X-ray analysis were found to contain uranium, potassium and phosphorus. Traces of calcium and sulphur were also found in some of the uraniosomes and extracellular uranium deposits.

Animals↗

Chelating agents used for plutonium and uranium removal in radiation emergency medicine.

The prospects of using chelating agents for increasing the excretion of actinides are reviewed. The removal of plutonium by chelating agents is of great importance because plutonium is extremely dangerous and induces cancer due to radiation toxicity. Similarly, uranium is a radionuclide, which causes severe renal dysfunction within a short time period due to chemical toxicity. It may also induce cancers such as leukemia and osteosarcoma in cases of long-term internal radiation exposure. Investigations on chelating agents for the removal of plutonium were initiated in the 1960's and 1970's. Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) is recognized as a chelating agent that accelerates the excretion of plutonium in early treatment after an accident. Thereafter, there has long been an interest in finding new chelating agents with radionuclide removal properties for use in therapy, and many chelating agents such as 3,4,3-LIHOPO and CBMIDA have been studied for their ability to remove plutonium and uranium. Recently, the focus has turned to drugs that have been used successfully in the treatment of a variety of other diseases, for example the iron chelating drug deferiprone or 1,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxypyrid-4-one (L1), which is used in thalassaemia and ethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-bisphosphonate (EHBP), which is used in osteoporosis. Within this context, it is important to examine the clinical use of these two drugs as well as the properties of the experimental chelators 3,4,3-LIHOPO and CBMIDA in order to identify possible uses in the treatment of radiation workers contaminated with plutonium and uranium.

Animals↗

Influence of sediment bioreduction and reoxidation on uranium sorption.

The influence of sediment bioreduction and reoxidation on U(VI) sorption was studied using Fe(II) oxide-containing saprolite from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Oak Ridge site. Bioreduced sediments were generated by anoxic incubation with a metal-reducing bacterium, Shewanella putrefaciens strain CN32, supplied with lactate as an electron donor. The reduced sediments were subsequently reoxidized by air contact. U(VI) sorption was studied in NaNO3-HCO3 electrolytes that were both closed and open to atmosphere and where pH, U(VI), and carbonate concentration were varied. Mössbauer spectroscopy and chemical analyses showed that 50% of the Fe(III)-oxides were reduced to Fe(II) that was sorbed to the sediment during incubation with CN32. However, this reduction and subsequent reoxidation of the sorbed Fe(II) had negligible influence on the rate and extent of U sorption or the extractability of sorbed U by 0.2 mol/L NaHCO3. Various results indicated that U(VI) surface complexation was the primary process responsible for uranyl sorption by the bioreduced and reoxidized sediments. A two-site, nonelectrostatic surface complexation model best described U(VI) adsorption under variable pH, carbonate, and U(VI) conditions. A ferrihydrite-based diffuse double layer model provided a better estimation of U(VI) adsorption without parameter adjustment than did a goethite-based model, even though a majority of the Fe(III)-oxides in the sediments were goethite. Our results highlight the complexity of the coupled U-Fe redox system and show that sorbed Fe(II) is not a universal reductant for U(VI) as commonly assumed.

Adsorption↗

Exposure pathways and health effects associated with chemical and radiological toxicity of natural uranium: a review.

Natural uranium exposure derives from the mining, milling, and processing of uranium ore, as well as from ingestion of groundwater that is naturally contaminated with uranium. Ingestion and inhalation are the primary routes of entry into the body. Absorption of uranium from the lungs or digestive track is typically low but can vary depending on compound specific solubility. From the blood, two-thirds of the uranium is excreted in urine over the first 24 hours and up to 80% to 90% of uranium deposited in the bone leaves the body within 1.5 years. The primary health outcomes of concern documented with respect to uranium are renal, developmental, reproductive, diminished bone growth, and DNA damage. The reported health effects derive from experimental animal studies and human epidemiology. The Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level (LOAEL) derived from animal studies is 50 microg/m3 for inhalation and 60 ug/kg body weight/day for ingestion. The current respiratory standard of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 50 microg/m3, affords no margin of safety. Considering the safety factors for species and individual variation, the ingestion LOAEL corresponds to the daily consumption set by the World Health Organization Drinking Water Standard at 2 microg/L. Based on economic considerations, the United States Environmental Protection Agency maximum contaminant level is 30 microg/L. Further research is needed, with particular attention on the impact of uranium on indigenous populations, on routes of exposure in communities near uranium sites, on the combined exposures present at many uranium sites, on human developmental defects, and on health effects at or below established exposure standards.

Adsorption↗

Selective complexation of uranium(III) over lanthanide(III) triflates by 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine. X-Ray crystal structures of [M(OTf)3(terpy)2] and [M(OTf)2(terpy)2(py)][OTf](M = Nd, Ce, U) and of polynuclear mu-oxo uranium(IV) complexes resulting from hydrolysis.

Reactions of Ln(OTf)3(Ln = Ce, Nd) or [U(OTf)3(dme)2](OTf = OSO2CF3, dme = dimethoxyethane) with 2 mol equivalents of 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine (terpy) in pyridine or acetonitrile led to the quantitative formation of the bis(terpy) complexes which crystallized as the discrete cation-anion pairs [M(OTf)2(terpy)2(py)][OTf] x 0.5py from pyridine or neutral derivatives [M(OTf)3(terpy)2] x nMeCN from acetonitrile (M = Ce, Nd, U). The crystal structures of these complexes show the differences in the M-O bond lengths to follow the variation of the ionic radii of the metals, while the U-N(terpy) and U-N(py) bonds are shorter than those expected from a purely ionic bonding model. The better affinity of terpy for U(III) over Ce(III) and Nd(III) was evidenced by the thermodynamic parameters (K, DeltaH, DeltaS) corresponding to the equilibrium between the bis- and tris(terpy) complexes in acetonitrile. Hydrolysis of the bis(terpy) compounds followed different courses; whereas the aquo compound [Ce(OTf)2(terpy)2(H2O)][OTf] crystallized readily from pyridine, the uranium complexes [UX2(terpy)2(py)]X (X = I, OTf) were oxidized into the tri- and tetranuclear mu-oxo U(IV) compounds [{UI(terpy)2(mu-O)}2{UI2(terpy)}]I4 x 2MeCN x H2O and [{U(OTf)(terpy)2(mu-O)(mu-OTf)U(terpy)}2(mu-OTf)2(mu-O)][OTf]4 x py x MeCN. The crystal structures of these first examples of uranium(IV) compounds with terpy ligands show the almost linear arrangement of the metal atoms.

Journal Article↗

Lanthanide(III)/actinide(III) differentiation in coordination of azine molecules to tris(cyclopentadienyl) complexes of cerium and uranium.

Reaction of azine molecules L with the trivalent metallocenes [M(C5H4R)3](M = Ce, U; R = But, SiMe3) in toluene gave the Lewis base adducts [M(C5H4R)3(L)](L = pyridine, 3-picoline, 3,5-lutidine, 3-chloropyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, 3,5-dimethylpyrazine and s-triazine), except in the cases of M = U and L = 3-chloropyridine, pyridazine, pyrazine and s-triazine where oxidation of U(III) was found to occur. In the pairs of analogous compounds of Ce(III) and U(III), i.e.[M(C5H4But)3(L)](L = pyridine, picoline) and [M(C5H4SiMe3)3(L)](L = pyridine, lutidine, pyrimidine and dimethylpyrazine), the M-N and average M-C distances are longer for M = Ce than for M = U; however, within a series of azine adducts of the same metallocene, no significant variation is noted in the M-N and average M-C distances. The equilibria between [M(C5H4R)3], L and [M(C5H4R)3(L)] were studied by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The stability constants of the uranium complexes, KUL, are greater than those of the cerium counterparts, KCeL. The values of KML are much greater for R = SiMe3 than for R = But and a linear correlation is found between the logarithms of KML and the hydrogen-bond basicity pKHB scale of the azines. Thermodynamic parameters indicate that the enthalpy-entropy compensation effect holds for these complexation reactions. Competition reactions of [Ce(C5H4R)3] and [U(C5H4R)3] with L show that the selectivity of L in favour of U(III) increases with the [small pi] donor character of the metallocene and is proportional to the pi accepting ability of the azine molecule, measured by its reduction potential.

Actinoid Series Elements↗

Interaction between uranium and the cytochrome c3 of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans strain G20.

Cytochrome c(3) of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans strain G20 is an electron carrier for uranium (VI) reduction. When D. desulfuricans G20 was grown in medium containing a non-lethal concentration of uranyl acetate (1 mM), the rate at which the cells reduced U(VI) was decreased compared to cells grown in the absence of uranium. Western analysis did not detect cytochrome c(3) in periplasmic extracts from cells grown in the presence of uranium. The expression of this predominant tetraheme cytochrome was not detectably altered by uranium during growth of the cells as monitored through a translational fusion of the gene encoding cytochrome c(3) ( cycA) to lacZ. Instead, cytochrome c(3) protein was found tightly associated with insoluble U(IV), uraninite, after the periplasmic contents of cells were harvested by a pH shift. The association of cytochrome c(3) with U(IV) was interpreted to be non-specific, since pure cytochrome c(3) adsorbed to other insoluble metal oxides, including cupric oxide (CuO), ferric oxide (Fe(2)O(3)), and commercially available U(IV) oxide.

Adsorption↗

Efficacy of 3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO) for decorporation of Pu, Am and U from rats injected intramuscularly with high-fired particles of MOX.

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of 3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO) for reducing uranium, plutonium and americium in rats after intramuscular injection of (U-Pu)O2 particles (MOX). Sixteen rats were contaminated by intramuscular injection of a 1 mg MOX suspension and then treated daily for 7 d with LIHOPO (30 or 200 micromol kg(-1)) or DTPA (30 micromol kg(-1)). LIHOPO was inefficient for removing Pu, Am and U from the wound site. However, it reduced Pu retention in carcass and liver by factors of 2 and 6 respectively, and Am retention in carcass and liver by factors of 10 and 30. In contrast, the effect of LIHOPO on U was to decrease the retention in kidneys by a factor of 75. These results confirm that LIHOPO is a good candidate for use after contamination with MOX, in combination with localised wound lavage or surgical treatment aimed at removing most of the contaminant at the wound site.

Americium↗

[Studies on uranium mobilization agents. IV. Synthesis of N, N'-bis-[N-carboxymethyl-(2,3-dihydroxy-5-carbomethoxy) benzylaminoacetyl]-alpha, omega-diamines].

In continuation of searching for effective antidotes against uranium intoxication, a series of N,N'-bis-[N-carboxymethyl-(2,3-dihydroxy-5-carbomethoxy) benzylaminoacetyl]-alpha, omega-diamines was synthesized by reacting 2,3-dihydroxy-5-carbomethoxybenzylamine diacetic acid with diamines of different chain lengths. Their effects on the elimination of uranyl nitrate from rats were tested. Most of them were found to be more effective than the reported uranium chelating agents as Tiron and Phosphicine and compound IIa was shown to be the most promising. The results of pharmacological studies will be published elsewhere.

Animals↗

Transformation of human osteoblast cells to the tumorigenic phenotype by depleted uranium-uranyl chloride.

Depleted uranium (DU) is a dense heavy metal used primarily in military applications. Although the health effects of occupational uranium exposure are well known, limited data exist regarding the long-term health effects of internalized DU in humans. We established an in vitro cellular model to study DU exposure. Microdosimetric assessment, determined using a Monte Carlo computer simulation based on measured intracellular and extracellular uranium levels, showed that few (0.0014%) cell nuclei were hit by alpha particles. We report the ability of DU-uranyl chloride to transform immortalized human osteoblastic cells (HOS) to the tumorigenic phenotype. DU-uranyl chloride-transformants are characterized by anchorage-independent growth, tumor formation in nude mice, expression of high levels of the k-ras oncogene, reduced production of the Rb tumor-suppressor protein, and elevated levels of sister chromatid exchanges per cell. DU-uranyl chloride treatment resulted in a 9.6 (+/- 2.8)-fold increase in transformation frequency compared to untreated cells. In comparison, nickel sulfate resulted in a 7.1 (+/- 2.1)-fold increase in transformation frequency. This is the first report showing that a DU compound caused human cell transformation to the neoplastic phenotype. Although additional studies are needed to determine if protracted DU exposure produces tumors in vivo, the implication from these in vitro results is that the risk of cancer induction from internalized DU exposure may be comparable to other biologically reactive and carcinogenic heavy-metal compounds (e.g., nickel).

Animals↗

Reversible binding and reduction of dinitrogen by a uranium(III) pentalene complex.

The U(III) mixed-sandwich compound [U(eta-Cp)(eta-C(8)H(4)[Si(i)Pr(3)-1,4](2))] 1 may be prepared by sequential reaction of UI(3) with KCp followed by K(2)[C(8)H(4)[Si(i)Pr(3)-1,4](2)], and has been crystallographically characterized. 1 reacts reversibly with dinitrogen to afford dimeric [[U(eta-Cp)(eta-C(8)H(4)[Si(i)Pr(3)-1,4](2))](2)(mu-eta(2):eta(2)-N(2))] 2, whose X-ray crystal structure reveals a sideways-bound, bridging diazenido (N(2)(2-)) ligand.

Journal Article↗

Recent developments in computational actinide chemistry.

This review describes recent computational investigations into the electronic and geometric structures of molecular actinide compounds. Following brief introductions to (i) the effects of relativity in chemistry and (ii) ab initio and density functional quantum chemical methods, four areas of contemporary research are discussed. These are pi backbonding in uranium complexes, the geometric structures of bis benzene actinide compounds, the valence electronic structure of the uranyl ion, and the inverse trans influence in pseudo-octahedral [AnOX5]n-. Comparisons are made with experimental studies, and similarities and differences between d- and f-block chemistry are highlighted.

Journal Article↗

In vitro solubility of uranium tetrafluoride with oxidizing medium compared with in vivo solubility in rats.

A simple in vitro solubility test for uranium tetrafluoride (UF4) was developed to investigate the effects of addition of enzymes, proteins or gases such as O2 to synthetic biological fluid or Gamble solvent. The tests were conducted concomitantly with an in vivo inhalation experiment using male rats. In the presence of Gamble solvent alone, UF4 exhibited class Y behaviour with a dissolution half-time of 300-500 days. However, when oxygen or carbonates were added to the Gamble solvent, UF4 displayed class W behaviour, with a half-time of 25-50 days. Lastly, in the presence of oxygen and pyrogallol, which simulates the action of the enzyme NADPH, the superoxide ion (O2-) was formed, which appears to have a dominant role in the oxidation of U4+ to U6+. Under these conditions UF4 behaved like a class D compound, and had a dissolution half-time of only 2-3 days. These latter results correlated with those of the inhalation experiment in which the dissolution half-time was calculated to be between 2.5 and 5.2 days. The data are also in agreement with urine monitoring data obtained for workers exposed to UF4 over a 20-year period.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Evaluation of the perinatal and postnatal effects of uranium in mice upon oral administration.

Perinatal and postnatal studies were performed in Swiss mice given uranium--as uranyl acetate dihydrate--at daily dosages of 0, 0.05, 0.5, 5, and 50 mg/kg from day 13 of pregnancy until weaning of the litters on day 21 post-birth. Postnatal development was monitored after 0, 4, and 21 d of lactation. At doses of 0, 0.05, 0.5, and 5 mg/kg.d, treatment with uranium had no significant effect on sex ratios, mean litter size, pup body weight, or pup body length throughout lactation. Significant decreases in the mean litter size on postnatal day 21, and in the viability and lactation indices were observed at the 50 mg/kg.d dose level. When comparing the "no observable effect level" (NOEL) for reproductive effects of uranium, with the concentrations of the metal usually ingested by men, a safety factor below 1,000 can be estimated.

Administration, Oral↗

Mitigating uranium in groundwater: prospects and limitations.

Removal of uranium(VI) by zerovalent iron has been suggested as a feasible pathway to control uranium contaminations in seepage waters. Available information in the literature however presents discrepant evidence on the process responsible for the mitigation effect. On basis of an EH-pH diagram of uranium and iron, it is outlined that these discrepancies may be explained by the aqueous chemistry of uranium and iron. Additional effects contributing to the complexity of the system are given. Solubilization experiments using scrap iron together with water works sludge, MnO2, and pyrite indicate that U(VI) is immobilized by iron corrosion products after about 50 days.

Iron↗

Photodegradation of a ternary iron(III)-uranium(VI)-citric acid complex.

The mechanisms of photodegradation of binary iron- and uranium-citrate and ternary iron-uranium-citrate complexes were elucidated. Citric acid degradation products were identified by HPLC and GC, and the metal precipitates were identified by XRD and EXAFS. Photodegradation of a binuclear iron-citrate complex occurred as a result of two one-electron oxidations of citric acid with the formation of 3-oxoglutarate and two ferrous ions. The ferrous ions were reoxidized by a photo-Fenton reaction, resulting in the precipitation of iron as two-line ferrihydrite Fe(OH)3. The citric acid in the uranium-citrate complex underwent a two-electron oxidation to acetoacetate with the concomitant reduction of U(VI) to U(IV). The U(IV) was subsequently photooxidized in the presence of dioxygen with precipitation of uranium as the mineral schoepite (UO3 x 2H2O). A two-step electron reduction of two ferric ions to two ferrous ions wasthe primary mechanism for photodegradation of the ternary iron-uranium-citrate complex with oxidation of citric acid to 3-oxoglutarate; reduction of uranium was not observed. The iron precipitated as ferrihydrite and the uranyl ion as a uranyl hydroxide species. These results show the potential application of photochemical treatment of wastewater and decontamination solutions containing binary and ternary iron- and uranium-citrate complexes.

Chromatography, Gas↗