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Biodegradation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol and associated hydraulic conductivity reduction in sand-bed columns.

The aim of this research was to investigate the long-term hydraulic conductivity changes in sand-bed columns exposed to 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP). Continuous flow laboratory studies were conducted using sand-bed columns (15 cm i.d.; 200 cm length) at 20+/-1 degrees C during 365 d. The influence of (i) initial loads of 2,4,6-TCP (15, 30, 45 and 60 mg kg(-1) of 2,4,6-TCP), and (ii) recirculating water velocity (0.09, 0.56 and 1.18 cm min(-1)) on the biodegradation of 2,4,6-TCP and hydraulic conductivity changes in the sand-bed columns were investigated. The experimental results indicated that biodegradation of 2,4,6-TCP followed pseudo-first-order kinetics in the range of k(1)=0.01-1.64 d(-1), and it was influenced by initial load (p<0.01) and recirculating water velocity (p<0.01). Indigenous microbial biomass growth and changes resulted in a spatial (180 cm) and temporal (365 d) reduction of hydraulic conductivity in the sand-bed columns by up to two orders of magnitude during biodegradation of 2,4,6-TCP. The fastest hydraulic conductivity reductions were observed in the sand-bed column operated at the highest recirculating water velocity and highest cumulative load of 2,4,6-TCP following 365 d of continuous treatment (p<0.05).

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

Anaerobic treatment of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol in an expanded granular sludge bed-anaerobic filter (EGSB-AF) bioreactor at 15 degrees C.

Expanded granular sludge bed-anaerobic filter (EGSB-AF) bioreactors were operated at 15 degrees C for the treatment of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP)-containing volatile fatty acid (VFA)-based wastewaters. The seed sludge used as inoculum for the control (no TCP) and test reactor was unexposed to chlorophenols (CPs) prior to the 425-day trial. TCP supplementation to the feed at 50 mg TCPl(-1) partially inhibited the anaerobic degradation of the VFA feed measured as COD removal efficiency. However, the withdrawal and subsequent application of stepwise increments to the TCP loading resulted in steady COD removal. Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis showed Methanosaeta-like Archaea in the control reactor over the experimental period. Different methanogenic populations were detected in the test reactor and responded to the changes in feed composition. Bacterial community analyses indicated changes in the community structure over time and suggested the presence of Campylobacter-like, Acidimicrobium-like and Heliophilum-like organisms in the samples. TCP mineralisation was by a reductive dechlorination pathway through 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP) and 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) or 2-chlorophenol (2-CP). CP degradation rates in sludge granules from the lower chamber of the hybrid EGSB-AF reactor was in the order TCP > DCP > 4-CP > 2-CP. However, a biodegradability order of lower CPs > TCP was observed in fixed-film biomass taken from the upper reactor chamber, thus reflecting the role of this reactor section in the metabolism of residual lower CPs from the lower sludge-bed stage of operation.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗

Adsorptive removal of chlorophenols from aqueous solution by low cost adsorbent--Kinetics and isotherm analysis.

Adsorptive removal of parachlorophenol (PCP) and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) from aqueous solutions by activated carbon prepared from coconut shell was studied and compared with activated carbon of commercial grade (CAC). Various chemical agents in different concentrations were used (KOH, NaOH, CaCO(3), H(3)PO(4) and ZnCl(2)) for the preparation of coconut shell activated carbon. The coconut shell activated carbon (CSAC) prepared using KOH as chemical agent showed high surface area and best adsorption capacity and was chosen for further studies. Batch adsorption studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of various parameters such as pH, adsorbent dose, contact time and initial PCP and TCP concentration. Adsorption equilibrium reached earlier for CSAC than CAC for both PCP and TCP concentrations. Under optimized conditions the prepared activated carbon showed 99.9% and 99.8% removal efficiency for PCP and TCP, respectively, where as the commercially activated carbon had 97.7% and 95.5% removal for PCP and TCP, respectively, for a solution concentration of 50mg/L. Adsorption followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. The equilibrium adsorption data were analysed by Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich-Peterson and Sips model using non-linear regression technique. Freundlich isotherms best fitted the data for adsorption equilibrium for both the compounds (PCP and TCP). Similarly, acidic pH was favorable for the adsorption of both PCP and TCP. Studies on pH effect and desorption revealed that chemisorption was involved in the adsorption process. The efficiency of the activated carbon prepared was also tested with real pulp and paper mill effluent. The removal efficiency using both the carbons were found highly satisfactory and was about 98.7% and 96.9% as phenol removal and 97.9% and 93.5% as AOX using CSAC and CAC, respectively.

Adsorption↗

Development of a non-invasive biomonitoring approach to determine exposure to the organophosphorus insecticide chlorpyrifos in rat saliva.

Non-invasive biomonitoring approaches are being developed using reliable portable analytical systems to quantify dosimetry utilizing readily obtainable body fluids, such as saliva. In the current study, rats were given single oral gavage doses (1, 10, or 50 mg/kg) of the insecticide chlorpyrifos (CPF). Saliva and blood were then collected from groups of animals (4/time-point) at 3, 6, and 12 h post-dosing, and were analyzed for the CPF metabolite trichloropyridinol (TCP). Trichloropyridinol was detected in both blood and saliva at all doses and the TCP concentration in blood exceeded saliva, although the kinetics in blood and saliva were comparable. A physiologically based pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PBPK/PD) model for CPF incorporated a compartment model to describe the time-course of TCP in blood and saliva. The model adequately simulated the experimental results over the dose ranges evaluated. A rapid and sensitive sequential injection (SI) electrochemical immunoassay was developed to monitor TCP, and the reported detection limit for TCP was 6 ng/L (in water). Computer model simulation in the range of the Allowable Daily Intake (ADI) or Reference Dose (RfD) for CPF (0.01-0.003 mg/kg/day) suggests that the electrochemical immunoassay has adequate sensitivity to detect and quantify TCP in saliva at these low exposure levels. However, to validate this approach, further studies are needed to more fully understand the pharmacokinetics of CPF and TCP excretion in saliva. These initial findings suggest that the utilization of saliva as a biomonitoring matrix, coupled to real-time quantitation and PBPK/PD modeling represents a novel approach with broad application for evaluating both occupational and environmental exposures to CPF.

Animals↗

Age-dependent pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic response in preweanling rats following oral exposure to the organophosphorus insecticide chlorpyrifos.

Previous studies have indicated that juvenile rats are more susceptible than adults to the acute toxicity from exposure to the organophosphorus insecticide chlorpyrifos (CPF) and age-dependent differences in metabolism and sensitivity to cholinesterase (ChE) inhibition may be responsible. Metabolism involves CYP450 activation and detoxification of CPF to CPF-oxon and 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCP), as well as cholinesterase (acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase), carboxylesterase (CaE), and A-esterase (PON-1) detoxification of CPF-oxon to TCP. The pharmacokinetics of CPF, TCP, and the extent of blood (plasma/RBC), and brain ChE inhibition in rats were determined on postnatal days (PND)-5, -12, and -17 following oral gavage administration of 1 and 10mg CPF/kg of body weight. As has been seen in adult animals, for all preweanling ages the blood TCP exceeded the CPF concentration, and within each age group there was no evidence of non-linear kinetics over the dose range evaluated. Consistent with previous results, younger animals demonstrated a greater sensitivity to ChE inhibition as evident by the age-dependent inhibition of plasma, RBC, and brain ChE. The brain may be particularly sensitive in younger animals (i.e. PND-5) due to substantially lower levels of ChE activity relative to later preweanling stages and adults. Of particular importance was the observation that even in rats as young as PND-5, the CYP450 metabolic capacity was adequate to metabolize CPF to both TCP and CPF-oxon based on the detection of TCP in blood and extensive ChE inhibition (biomarker of CPF-oxon) at all ages. In addition, the increase in the blood TCP concentration ( approximately 3-fold) in PND-17 rats relative to the response in the younger rats, are consistent with an increase in CYP450 metabolic capacity with age. This is the first reported study that evaluated both the pharmacokinetics of the parent pesticide, the major metabolite, and the extent of ChE inhibition as a function of preweanling age. The results suggest that in the preweanling rat, CPF was rapidly absorbed and metabolized, and the extent of metabolism and ChE inhibition was age-dependent.

Administration, Oral↗

A disappearance model for the prediction of trichlorophenol ozonation.

The disappearance and modeling of the ozonation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) was studied under different initial TCP concentrations and initial pH levels. The ozonation of TCP was found to follow a pseudo-first-order reaction. The degradation rates increased with the initial pH, and decreased with initial TCP concentration. 2,6-Dichlorohydroquinone was identified as the major intermediate, indicating that dechlorination and hydroxylation co-occurred during TCP ozonation. A model was proposed to quantitatively predict the pseudo-first-order rate constants under different initial TCP concentration and different initial pH levels. The proposed model can successfully describe the reaction; therefore another practical equation was proposed to predict the TCP removal rate at any detention time, which has high potential for practical applications and reactor design.

Chlorophenols↗

Observations of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol degradation by ozone.

The aqueous reactivity of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) with ozone has been studied at laboratory-scale using a simple gas bubble/liquid contacting system. Degradation rate constants were measured directly and found to be 7.6 and 77.2 M(-1)s(-1) at pH 2 and 7.5, respectively. At pH 7.5, 10 min of ozonation ( identical with 15 mM ozone consumption) achieved a 90% degradation of TCP, which corresponded to the release of approximately 2 mol Cl(-) per mol TCP. The presence of hydrogen peroxide in solution did not significantly increase the TCP degradation but increased the overall dechlorination to 2.7 mol Cl(-) per mol TCP. The presence of humic acid (HA) in solution was found to enhance the degradation rate of TCP at low relative HA concentrations (<0.6 g/g HA:TCP), but to reduce the rate at higher HA concentrations.

Chlorophenols↗

Petal-like apatite formed on the surface of tricalcium phosphate ceramic after soaking in distilled water.

In the present study six types of tricalcium phosphate ceramic were prepared and soaked in distilled water for different periods to investigate whether a surface apatite layer was formed on TCP ceramics or not. X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and Fourier-transformed infrared (FTIR) spectrometer were used to examine the changes in crystalline phases and functional groups of TCP ceramics for different soaking periods. Calcium and phosphate ions released from TCP ceramics during soaking were recorded by atomic absorption analysis and ion-coupled plasma. Results revealed that alphaTCP, alphaTCP/betaTCP mixture (alphabetaTCP) and betaTCP ceramic were gradually dissolved. There was no apatite layer formed on their surface after being immersed in distilled water for different durations of time. Mg-TCP ceramic, tricalcium phosphate doped with Mg ions, exhibited a lower dissolution rate than the other types of TCP ceramics. Apatite crystals were also not formed on the surface of Mg-TCP ceramic when immersed in distilled water. Tribasic calcium phosphate, prepared from wet precipitation method, was converted to betaTCP/HAP (HbetaTCP) or alphaTCP/betaTCP/HAP (HalphabetaTCP) crystalline composition at different sintering temperatures (1,150 degrees C and 1,300 degrees C). The surface apatite layer did not appear on HbetaTCP ceramic after soaking. We observed that petal-like apatite was formed on the HalphabetaTCP ceramic surface after being immersed for 2 weeks. alphaTCP phase of HalphabetaTCP ceramic was not directly converted to apatite during soaking. The surface apatite layer formed on the HalphabetaTCP ceramic surface was due to the precipitation of the calcium and phosphate ions released from alphaTCP dissolution. HAP, which existed in the structure of HalphabetaTCP ceramic, plays a role as apatite-precipitating seed to uptake calcium and phosphate ions. TCP ceramics which lacked alphaTCP and HAP content neither converted to apatite nor formed surface apatite on their surfaces during immersion.

Apatites↗

A bone substitute composed of polymethylmethacrylate and alpha-tricalcium phosphate: results in terms of osteoblast function and bone tissue formation.

The biological properties of a composite polymeric matrix (PMMA + alpha-TCP) made of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and alfa-tricalciumphosphate (alpha-TCP) was tested by means of in vitro and in vivo investigations. PMMA was used as a comparative material. Osteoblast cultures (MG 63) demonstrated that PMMA + alpha-TCP significantly and positively affected osteoblast viability, synthetic activity and interleukin-6 level as compared to PMMA. At 12 weeks, the PMMA + alpha-TCP implants in rabbit bone successfully osteointegrated in trabecular and cortical tissue (affinity index: 57.14+/-8.84% and 68.31+/-6.18%, respectively). The newly formed bone after tetracycline labelling was histologically observed inside PMMA + alpha-TCP porosity. The microhardness test at the bone-PMMA + alpha-TCP interface showed a significantly higher rate of newly formed bone mineralization compared with PMMA (+83.5% and +58.5%, respectively), but differences still existed between newly formed and pre-existing normal bone. It is herein hypothesized that the present positive results may be ascribed to the porous macroarchitecture of PMMA + alpha-TCP and the presence of the bioactive ceramic material that could have a synergic effect and be responsible for the improvement of (a) the material colonization by bone cells, (b) osteoblast activity, (c) osteoinduction and osteoconduction processes, (d) bone remodelling.

Bone Cements↗

Surface modification of tricalcium phosphate for improvement of the interfacial compatibility with biodegradable polymers.

The surface of tricalcium phosphate (TCP) filler particles was activated by treatment with dilute aqueous phosphoric acid. ATR-IR spectra indicated the formation of calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate at the surface. Oligo(lactone)s were formed by the subsequent reaction of the activated TCP with L-lactide and epsilon -caprolactone, respectively, at 150 degrees C without any additional catalysts. After extraction of the oligo(lactide), the residue of modified TCP-included calcium lactate whereas the water of crystallization of the dihydrate disappeared as shown by ATR-IR spectroscopy. Owing to the insolubility of TCP in common solvents, the analogous reaction between water-soluble disodium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate and L-lactide was used to study the kind of chemical bonds by high-resolution NMR spectroscopy. The 1H and 13C NMR spectra of the reaction product also pointed out the presence of calcium lactate. Additionally, signals were found indicating a covalent attachment of lactic acid units onto the phosphorus. For the preparation of composites, poly(L,DL-lactide) was mixed with TCP and modified TCP, respectively, in a ratio of 75/25 (w/w) and directly injection moulded into tensile test specimens at a barrel temperature of 180 degrees C. Although mechanical properties were not improved, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated a better interfacial phase interaction in the composite with the modified TCP. Chemical bonds between filler and polymer matrix are assumed to be formed by transesterification reactions.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Kinetic characterization of the phencyclidine-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor interaction: evidence for a steric blockade of the channel.

The nature of the interactions between the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and the phencyclidine (PCP) receptors was studied in membranes obtained from rat cerebral cortex and washed repeatedly to remove endogenous excitatory amino acids. Binding of [3H]-N-[1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl]piperidine ([3H]TCP) to its receptor sites in these membranes proceeded slowly and did not reach equilibrium even after incubation for 4 h at 25 degrees C. The dissociation rate of [3H]TCP-receptor complexes was also slow (t1/2 = 128-165 min). Both association and dissociation followed first-order reaction kinetics, with similar time constants (0.0054 min-1). Addition of glutamate and glycine to the washed membranes was immediately followed by a marked increase in the rates of both association of [3H]TCP with the receptors and its dissociation from them (t1/2 = 8 min). Association now followed second-order reaction kinetics. Accelerated association of [3H]TCP with its binding sites could also be induced by NMDA or by glutamate alone, and glycine enhanced the effect. All effects of glutamate and glycine on [3H]TCP binding kinetics were blocked by the competitive NMDA receptor antagonist AP-5 [D-(-)-2-amino-5-phosphovaleric acid]. [3H]TCP-receptor interactions at equilibrium were not altered by AP-5 or by glutamate and glycine. The binding data were fitted to a model in which interactions of [3H]TCP with the receptor involve a two-step process: the outside ligand must cross a barrier (presumably a closed NMDA receptor channel in the absence of agonists). Once agonists are added, this limitation is removed (presumably because the channel is open).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Noncompetitive antagonist binding sites in the torpedo nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ion channel. Structure-activity relationship studies using adamantane derivatives.

We used a series of adamantane derivatives to probe the structure of the phencyclidine locus in either the resting or desensitized state of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR). Competitive radioligand binding and photolabeling experiments using well-characterized noncompetitive antagonists such as the phencyclidine analogue [piperidyl-3,4-(3)H(N)]-N-[1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl]-3,4-piperidine ([(3)H]TCP), [(3)H]ethidium, [(3)H]tetracaine, [(14)C]amobarbital, and 3-(trifluoromethyl)-3-(m-[(125)I]iodophenyl)diazirine ([(125)I]TID) were performed. Thermodynamic and structure-function relationship analyses yielded the following results. (1) There is a good structure-function relationship for adamantane amino derivatives inhibiting [(3)H]TCP or [(3)H]tetracaine binding to the resting AChR. (2) Since the same derivatives inhibit neither [(14)C]amobarbital binding nor [(125)I]TID photoincorporation, we conclude that these positively charged molecules preferably bind to the TCP locus, perhaps interacting with alphaGlu(262) residues at position M2-20. (3) The opposite is true for the neutral molecule adamantane, which prefers the TID (or barbiturate) locus instead of the TCP site. (4) The TID site is smaller and more hydrophobic (it accommodates neutral molecules with a maximal volume of 333 +/- 45 A(3)) than the TCP locus, which has room for positively charged molecules with volumes as large as 461 A(3) (e.g., crystal violet). This supports the concept that the resting ion channel is tapering from the extracellular mouth to the middle portion. (5) Finally, although both the hydrophobic environment and the size of the TCP site are practically the same in both states, there is a more obvious cutoff in the desensitized state than in the resting state, suggesting that the desensitization process constrains the TCP locus. A plausible location of neutral and charged adamantane derivatives is shown in a model of the resting ion channel.

Adamantane↗

Practical immunochemical method for determination of 3,5, 6-trichloro-2-pyridinol in human urine: applications and considerations for exposure assessment.

An analytical method is described for the quantitative determination of 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (3,5,6-TCP) in human urine. This is the primary analyte found in urine as a result of exposure to chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-methyl, triclopyr, or 3,5,6-TCP. Conjugates of 3,5,6-TCP are released from urine by acid hydrolysis. The free 3,5,6-TCP is purified using C(18) solid-phase extraction, eluting the analyte with 1-chlorobutane. An aliquot of 1-chlorobutane is placed in a vial containing Trichloropyridinol Sample Diluent and evaporated, leaving the 3,5,6-TCP in the aqueous sample diluent. The samples are assayed using the Trichloropyridinol RaPID Assay immunoassay test kit. Final results are calculated using a standard curve constructed by linear regression after a ln/Logit data transformation is performed of the concentration and the absorbance readings, respectively. The calculated lower limit of quantitation for 3,5,6-TCP in fortified control urine samples is 2. 96 ng/mL (2.96 ppb). Residues of 3,5,6-TCP determined using both immunochemical and gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection correlate well.

Environmental Exposure↗

Calculation of relative differences in the binding free energies of HIV1 protease inhibitors: a thermodynamic cycle perturbation approach.

An iterative computer-assisted drug design (CADD) method that combines molecular mechanics, dynamics, thermodynamic cycle perturbation (TCP) calculations, molecular design, synthesis, and biochemical testing of peptidomimetic inhibitors and crystallographic structure determination of the protein-inhibitor complexes has been successfully applied to the design of novel inhibitors for the HIV1 protease. The first "designer" compound in this series (I) was designed by replacing the C-terminal Val-Val methyl ester of a known hydroxyethylene inhibitor with a diphenhydramine amide derivative in which two phenyl groups fill the p2' and p3' side-chain binding pockets in the HIV1 protease. Subsequent testing showed modest inhibition (Ki = 1.67 microM). Concurrently, molecular mechanics calculations on designed analogs indicated the feasibility of replacement of a phenyl ring with an indole ring (II). Synthesis and biochemical testing resulted in better inhibition potency for II. X-ray crystal structure determination of HIV1 protease complexed with I and II provided structural information for subsequent design and TCP calculations. A TCP protocol was established and validated for the mutation of I-->II. TCP results showed a net gain of 2.1 (+/- 0.9) kcal/mol in replacing II with I, which agreed with experimental result within an error margin of 0.8 kcal/mol. TCP calculations for six other mutations (I-->III, II-->III, IV, V, VI, and VII) were performed prior to synthesis and testing. These results allowed for the prioritization of design ideas for synthesis. In all cases where experimental results are available, TCP calculations showed good agreement. These results demonstrate that the TCP approach can be used with medicinal chemistry and crystallography for screening the proposed derivatives of a lead compound prior to synthesis, thus potentially reducing the time for the discovery of new drugs.

Computer Simulation↗

Chlorpyrifos exposure in farm families: results from the farm family exposure study.

We used urinary biological monitoring to characterize chlorpyrifos (O,O-diethyl-O-(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl) phosphororthioate) exposure to farm family members from Minnesota and South Carolina who participated in the Farm Family Exposure Study. Five consecutive 24-h urine samples were obtained from 34 families of licensed pesticide applicators 1 day before through 3 days after a chlorpyrifos application. Daily 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCP) urinary concentrations characterized exposure profiles of the applicator, the spouse, and children aged 4-17 years. Self-reported and observed determinants of exposure were compared to the maximum postapplication TCP concentration. All participants had detectable (> or = 1 microg/l) urinary TCP concentrations at baseline. Applicators' peak TCP levels occurred the day after the application (geometric mean (GM) = 19.0 microg/l). Postapplication TCP change from baseline in the spouses and children was negligible, and the only reliable predictor of exposure was assisting with the application for children aged 12 years and older. The applicators' exposure was primarily influenced by the chemical formulation (GM = 11.3 microg/l for granular and 30.9 microg/l for liquid), and the number of loads applied. Repairing equipment, observed skin contact, and eating during the application were moderately associated TCP levels for those who applied liquid formulations. Estimated absorbed doses (microg chlorpyrifos/kg bodyweight) were calculated based on TCP excretion summed over the 4 postapplication days and corrected for pharmacokinetic recovery. The GM doses were 2.1, 0.7, and 1.0 microg/kg bodyweight for applicators, spouses, and children, respectively. Chlorpyrifos exposure to farm family members from the observed application was largely determined by the extent of contact with the mixing, loading, and application process.

Adolescent↗

Probing the catalytic mechanism of Escherichia coli amine oxidase using mutational variants and a reversible inhibitor as a substrate analogue.

Copper amine oxidases are homodimeric enzymes containing one Cu(2+) ion and one 2,4,5-trihydroxyphenylalanine quinone (TPQ) per monomer. Previous studies with the copper amine oxidase from Escherichia coli (ECAO) have elucidated the structure of the active site and established the importance in catalysis of an active-site base, Asp-383. To explore the early interactions of substrate with enzyme, we have used tranylcypromine (TCP), a fully reversible competitive inhibitor, with wild-type ECAO and with the active-site base variants D383E and D383N. The formation of an adduct, analogous to the substrate Schiff base, between TCP and the TPQ cofactor in the active site of wild-type ECAO and in the D383E and D383N variants has been investigated over the pH range 5.5-9.4. For the wild-type enzyme, the plot of the binding constant for adduct formation (K(b)) against pH is bell-shaped, indicating two pK(a)s of 5.8 and approximately 8, consistent with the preferred reaction partners being the unprotonated active-site base and the protonated TCP. For the D383N variant, the reaction pathway involving unprotonated base and protonated TCP cannot occur, and binding must follow a less favoured pathway with unprotonated TCP as reactant. Surprisingly, for the D383E variant, the K(b) versus pH behaviour is qualitatively similar to that of D383N, supporting a reaction pathway involving unprotonated TCP. The TCP binding data are consistent with substrate binding data for the wild type and the D383E variant using steady-state kinetics. The results provide strong support for a protonated amine being the preferred substrate for the wild-type enzyme, and emphasize the importance of the active-site base, Asp-383, in the primary binding event.

Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing)↗

Dechlorination of chlorinated phenols by zero valent zinc.

Reductive dechlorination of chlorophenols (Pentachlorophenol, three tetrachlorophenols (TeCPs), six trichlorophenols (TCPs)) with zero valent zinc was examined through batch experiments. Zinc showed much higher reactivity towards PCP than iron and amended iron indicating that zero valent zinc can be a good candidate for reductive dechlorination of chlorinated phenols. Chlorophenols were sequentially dechlorinated and less chlorinated phenols were identified as reduction products. The mass balance was not complete, indicating that by-products are important and/or that products being measured were lost by unknown pathways. The dechlorination rate of the chlorinated phenols usually followed the order: PCP > TeCPs > TCPs. Among the TeCP and TCP isomers, the reactivity was in the order of 2,3,4,5-TeCP > 2,3,4,6-TeCP > 2,3,5,6-TeCP and 2,3,4-TCP > 2,3,6-TCP > 2,3,5-TCP > 2,4,6-TCP > 2,4,5-TCP > 3,4,5-TCP. The first order reaction rates varied by one order of magnitude or more, depending on the chlorines positions on a phenol ring. A regioselectivity was observed and daughter compound distributions could be rationalized by a mechanism in which radical intermediates were more stabilized by chlorine and hydroxyl groups than by hydrogen; positions alpha to the radical were found to be the most important in stabilization, followed by beta-positions.

Chlorine↗

Tissue-engineered bone using mesenchymal stem cells and a biodegradable scaffold.

Bone marrow has been shown to contain a population of rare cells capable of differentiating to the cells that form various tissues. These cells, referred to as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), are capable of forming bone when implanted ectopically in an appropriate scaffold. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of a new beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) as a scaffold and to compare the osteogenic potential between beta-TCP and hydroxyapatite (HA). The beta-TCP and HA loaded with MSCs were implanted in subcutaneous sites and harvested at 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after implantation for biochemical and histological analysis. Biochemically, in both beta-TCP and HA composites, the alkaline phosphatase activity in the composites could be detected and was maintained at a high level for 8 weeks. In the histological analysis, active bone formation could be found in both the beta-TCP and HA composites. These findings suggest that beta-TCP could play a role as a scaffold as well as HA. The fabricated synthetic bone using biodegradable beta-TCP as a scaffold in vivo is useful for reconstructing bone, because the scaffold material is absorbed several months after implantation.

Absorbable Implants↗