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At least 1,099 records · Page 61Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Sensitive genetic biomarkers for determining apoptosis in the brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus).

Biomarkers are necessary for monitoring environmentally induced alterations at the molecular level in order to assess the impact of xenobiotic compounds on organism health. Apoptosis is a highly regulated cellular process that controls programmed cell death and is involved in tumor formation. Apoptosis thus may provide the basis for developing biomarkers for use in the field of ecotoxicology to monitor non-lethal levels of xenobiotic induced cellular stress and toxicity. This study shows that a brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) fibroblast cell line (BB-2) responds to known apoptotic inducers (staurosporine, cycloheximide, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)), as characterized by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP digoxigenin nick end-labelling (TUNEL). Furthermore, we characterized the apoptotic process using a series of newly identified bullhead genetic markers. Exposure to protein kinase C inhibitors altered the transcription of TF-cell apoptosis-related protein (TFAR)-15 and p23 with no effect on p53, inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP), or PNAS-2. Inhibition of protein synthesis caused a consistent reduction in the transcription of p53 and PNAS-2. This study demonstrates that our novel transcriptional markers are sensitive biomarkers for the study of the effects of xenobiotic chemicals on apoptosis in the brown bullhead.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Critical appraisal of two methods for determining aluminum in blood samples.

We report two methods for determining aluminum concentrations in blood. Method 1, proposed for routine monitoring of patients with chronic renal failure, includes a collection procedure that can be adopted by any renal dialysis unit, with a minimum of sample contamination. Plasma samples are diluted fourfold with HNO3/Triton X-100 matrix modifier. Method 2 is proposed for determining aluminum concentrations in patients with normal renal function, e.g., in drug studies and environmental monitoring. Samples are diluted with an equal volume of Mg(NO3)2 matrix modifier and atomized from a L'vov platform. By either method, analytical recovery of aluminum added to serum ranged between 92% and 105% throughout the linear calibration range. The reference interval (mean +/- SD) for aluminum in 22 healthy subjects by method 2 was 0.044 +/- 0.030 mumol/L.

Aluminum↗
PubMed2003

Transforming cyanobacteria into bioreporters of biological relevance.

Microbial bioreporters play an important role in environmental monitoring and ecotoxicology. Microorganisms that are genetically modified with reporter genes can be used in various formats to determine the bioavailability of chemicals and their effect on living organisms. Cyanobacteria are abundant in the photosynthetic biosphere and have considerable potential with regards to broadening bioreporter applications. Two recent studies described novel cyanobacterial reporters for the detection of environmental toxicants and iron availability.

Biosensing Techniques↗
PubMed2002

Biological monitoring of midwives' exposure to N(2)O using the Bio-VOC breath sampler.

The use of exhaled breath as a biological monitoring tool is still not widely used. Although there are now commercially available kits, there are limited data on biological guidance values for all but a few substances for breath monitoring. The study investigated the possibility of using an indirect breath sampler to measure the levels of nitrous oxide in the exhaled breath of midwives at a midpoint during their shift. Levels of nitrous oxide in the exhaled breath were measured at (0-727 ppm) with a mean level of 64 ppm. The correlation between the established personal environmental monitoring and exhaled breath monitoring was generally poor as was the correlation between duration of nitrous oxide exposure and levels in the exhaled breath. Clearly the use of exhaled breath as a tool for biological monitoring is more appropriate than other invasive procedures. The breath sampler used has been a readily acceptable tool for occupational hygiene monitoring in a busy hospital ward.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Semmelweis' present day follow-up: Updating bacterial sampling and enrichment in clinical hygiene.

Potentially dangerous antibiotic resistant contaminants have permanently penetrated at least well-off western populations. The danger is so evident that some hospitals have started to refuse accepting patients who carry such bacteria. Sampling and enrichment measures in hygiene monitoring must be updated as they are corner stones in handling the problems and safeguarding the health care units. Their patients, when exposed to microorganisms are strenuous to treat. Sometimes even this fails, if the infections are spreading in weakened patients. The present review summarizes currently used technologies and the abilities of bacteria to avoid detection. Improved protocols on environmental monitoring in healthcare units are required. They should be comparable with contamination control in industries. Actually these measures in health care should be even stricter because human lives are directly endangered as the resistance of especially elderly patients is low.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Uncertainties and data needs in risk assessment of three commercial polybrominated diphenyl ethers: probabilistic exposure analysis and comparison with European Commission results.

Some environmental monitoring programs have reported increasing levels of certain polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) isomers in aquatic biota and in human breast milk. The commercial PBDE products are known as penta-, octa-, and deca-brominated diphenyl ethers (PeBDE, OBDE and DBDE, respectively). Aside from the current European Commission's risk assessment initiative and efforts underway in Sweden, Canada and elsewhere to evaluate environmental levels, little is understood about sources of exposure and risks to humans. In this study, a multi-pathway human health risk assessment was performed to predict theoretical chronic daily intakes (CDIs) of PeBDE, OBDE, and DBDE by five different age groups: 0-2, 2-6, 6-12, 12-18, and 18-70 years. Sources of exposure included air, drinking water, consumption of fish, vegetables, meat and dairy products, and ingestion of breast milk by infants. In addition to a deterministic analysis, the risk assessment included a probabilistic analysis to derive the probability density functions describing the range of plausible exposures associated with eight different pathways, as well as aggregate lifetime exposures for each age group. The results were compared to CDI point estimates calculated by the European Chemicals Bureau as part of the European Commission's Existing Substances Programme. The major sources of uncertainties are discussed, including environmental sources, levels in different environmental compartments, toxicity, and human exposure. This paper also discusses the limitations in the current state-of-the-science and provides recommendations for improving the scientific relevance and accuracy of future environmental risk assessments of PBDEs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Molecular epidemiological study of Aspergillus fumigatus in a bone marrow transplantation unit by PCR amplification of ribosomal intergenic spacer sequences.

We have developed a PCR-based method for the subspecific discrimination of Aspergillus fumigatus types by using two primers designed to amplify the intergenic spacer regions between ribosomal DNA transcription units. The method permitted the reproducible discrimination of 11 distinct DNA types among a total of 119 isolates of A. fumigatus collected from patients and from the environment of a bone marrow transplantation (BMT) unit over a three-year period. Ten DNA types of A. fumigatus were isolated from patients in the BMT unit; eight of these types were also found in the hospital environment, and six of these were present in the unit itself. Thirteen BMT patients developed infection with one of three DNA types some months after these had first been found in the environment of the unit. In other instances, the same DNA types of A. fumigatus were isolated from BMT patients that were later recovered from the environment of the unit. Several DNA types of A. fumigatus were found in the hospital environment over an 18-month period. Molecular typing of multiple isolates of A. fumigatus, obtained from postmortem tissue samples, showed that one patient was infected with a single DNA type, but two others had up to three different DNA types. Our findings suggest that A. fumigatus infection in BMT recipients may be nosocomial in origin and underline the need for careful environmental monitoring of units in which high-risk patients are housed.

Aspergillus fumigatus↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Alternative methodologies for standardization of deleterious environmental factors].

Some ecologists propose in recent papers to replace the ideology of the maximum allowable concentrations (MAC) by a new biotic concept of regional environmental monitoring by the method of ecologically allowable levels (EAL). By comparing the basic provisions of MAC and EAL methodologies, by taking into account their advantages and disadvantages, the authors conclude that there is no alternative to the hygienic MAC concept. The principles of EAL substantiation have no well-grounded scientific-and-practical methodology. New concepts of the common control of environmental quality, the health status of man, animals, plants, and the microworld should be sought by using the existing regulations.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2000

Horizontal Distribution Patterns of Testate Amoebae (Protozoa) in a Sphagnum magellanicum Carpet.

The distribution of soil microorganisms is generally believed to be patchy and to reflect habitat heterogeneity. Despite this general rule, the amount of existing data on species distribution patterns is scarce. Testate amoebae (Protozoa; Rhizopoda) are an important component of soil microbial communities and are increasingly used in ecological and paleoecological studies of Sphagnum-dominated peatlands, but data on the spatial structure of communities are completely lacking. This is an important aspect since quantitative models used for paleoecological reconstruction and monitoring are based on species assemblages. We explored the distribution patterns of testate amoebae distribution in a macroscopically homogeneous Sphagnum carpet, down to a scale of several centimeters. Distributions maps of the species and spatially constrained sample groups were produced. Multivariate and individual spatial autocorrelations were calculated. The importance of spatial structure was quantified by canonical correspondence analysis. Our ultimate goal is to find the finest resolution of environmental monitoring using testate amoebae. The distribution patterns differed among species, resulting in a complex spatial structure of the species assemblage in a whole. Spatial structure accounted for 36% of the total variation of species abundance in a canonical correspondence analysis constrained by spatial variables. This structure was partly correlated to altitude (microtopography) at a very fine scale. These results confirmed the existence of significant broad- and fine-scale spatial structures within testate amoebae communities that could in part be interpreted as effects of ecological gradients. This shows that, on a surface area of 0.25 m(2), ecological conditions which look uniform from a macroscopic point of view are not perceived as such by Sphagnum-inhabiting organisms. Therefore, testate amoebae could prove very useful to monitor fine-scale ecological processes or disturbances. Studies of the species' spatial distribution patterns in combination with autoecological studies are needed and should be included in the toolbox of biomonitoring itself.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Uptake of antineoplastic agents in pharmacy and hospital personnel. Part I: monitoring of urinary concentrations.

OBJECTIVES: There is a risk of adverse health effects for personnel with occupational exposure to antineoplastic agents. The aim of the present longitudinal study was to identify, quantify, and evaluate potential health hazards of occupationally exposed workers in pharmaceutical and oncological departments with central processing units for drug preparation. METHODS: One hundred operatives in 14 German hospital pharmacies and oncological departments underwent biological monitoring by providing urine samples up to four times over a period of 3 years. RESULTS: All antineoplastic agents that were considered (cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, doxorubicin, epirubicin and platinum from cisplatin and carboplatin), were found in urine samples in up to 40% of participants. CONCLUSIONS: Despite standard safety precautions, such as the use of vertical laminar air flow safety cabinets, and personal protective clothing, incorporation of drugs was detected. Therefore, an environmental monitoring strategy should be developed in order to detect contamination and attempt to improve hygiene during work.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Use of peptide nucleic acid probes for rapid detection and enumeration of viable bacteria in recreational waters and beach sand.

Environmental monitoring and public health risk assessments require methods that are rapid and quantitative with defined sensitivity and specificity thresholds. Although several molecular techniques have been developed to rapidly detect bacteria in complex matrices, the challenge to simultaneously detect and enumerate only viable cells remains a limiting factor to their routine application. This chapter describes the use of peroxidase-labeled peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes to simultaneously detect and count live Staphylococcus aureus, a human pathogen in sea water and beach sand. Mixed bacteria from the environmental sample were immobilized on polyvinylidene difluoride membrane filters and allowed to form microcolonies during a 5-h incubation on Tryptic soy agar plates. PNA probes targeting species-specific regions of the 16S rRNA sequences of S. aureus were then used to hybridize the target bacteria in situ. Probes were detected by capturing chemiluminiscence on instant (e.g., Polaroid) films. Each viable cell (i.e., rRNA producing) is detected as a light spot from its microcolony on the film after scanning the image into a computer. This rapid in situ hybridization technique is simple and highly sensitive and could be developed into portable kits for monitoring pathogens and indicators in the environment.

Bathing Beaches↗
PubMed2006

Applying DOE's Graded Approach for assessing radiation impacts to non-human biota at the INL.

In July 2002, The US Department of Energy (DOE) released a new technical standard entitled A Graded Approach for Evaluating Radiation Doses to Aquatic and Terrestrial Biota. DOE facilities are annually required to demonstrate that routine radioactive releases from their sites are protective of non-human receptors and sites are encouraged to use the Graded Approach for this purpose. Use of the Graded Approach requires completion of several preliminary steps, to evaluate the degree to which the site environmental monitoring program is appropriate for evaluating impacts to non-human biota. We completed these necessary activities at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) using the following four tasks: (1) develop conceptual models and evaluate exposure pathways; (2) define INL evaluation areas; (3) evaluate sampling locations and media; (4) evaluate data gaps. All of the information developed in the four steps was incorporated, data sources were identified, departures from the Graded Approach were justified, and a step-by-step procedure for biota dose assessment at the INL was specified. Finally, we completed a site-wide biota dose assessment using the 2002 environmental surveillance data and an offsite assessment using soil and surface water data collected since 1996. These assessments demonstrated the environmental concentrations of radionuclides measured on and near the INL do not present significant risks to populations of non-human biota.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Flow cytometric techniques for the detection of microorganisms.

Flow cytometry (FCM) is a technique, which allows one to analyse cells rapidly and individually, and permits the quantitative analysis of distributions of a property or properties in a population. It therefore offers many advantages over conventional measurements for the analysis of biological cells. Historically the technique has been widely applied for the study of mammalian cells, but its use in microbiology has been more limited; this is mainly a consequence of the smaller size of microbes, which results in the smaller optical signals that can be obtained from them. Developments in light sources and optics, together with brighter, spectrally-diverse dyes have reduced this barrier over recent years and the flow cytometer is now an essential tool in many microbiological research establishments. FCM has an increasing role to play in the detection of microbes in both industrial and clinical settings. Environmental monitoring to prevent outbreaks of human diseases such as cryptosporidiosis and Legionnaires' disease and to detect acts of biowarfare or bioterrorism are all amenable to flow cytometric study. This review seeks to highlight the role of the flow cytometer in the detection of microbial cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Relative potency estimates of acceptable residues and reentry intervals after nerve agent release.

In the event of an unplanned release of a chemical warfare agent during any stage of the Chemical Stockpile Disposal Program, the potential exists for off-post contamination of drinking water, forage crops, grains, garden produce, and livestock. The more persistent agents, such as the organophosphate nerve agent VX, pose the greatest human health concern for reentry. A relative potency approach comparing the toxicity of VX to organophosphate insecticide analogues is developed and used to estimate allowable residues for VX in agricultural products and reentry intervals for public access to contaminated areas. Analysis of mammalian LD50 data by all exposure routes indicates that VX is 10(3) to 10(4) times more toxic than most commercially available organophosphate insecticides. Thus, allowable residues of VX could be considered at concentration levels 10(3) to 10(4) lower than those established for certain insecticides by the U.S. EPA. Evaluation of reentry intervals developed for these organophosphate analogues indicate that, if environmental monitoring cannot reliably demonstrate acceptable levels of VX, restricted access to suspect or contaminated areas may be on the order of weeks to months following agent release. Planning for relocation, mass care centers, and quarantine should take this time period into account.

Chemical Warfare Agents↗
PubMed1998

Delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity in blood of Bufo arenarum (Anura).

The aim of the present investigation was to standardize a method for measuring delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity in circulating red blood cells of adult Bufo arenarum kept in controlled environmental conditions, and to obtain reference basal values suitable for environmental monitoring of lead exposure. The normal ALAD activity for B. arenarum was 131.86 +/- 14.47 U per liter of red blood cells (n = 38, mean +/- SEM; interval 72.98-236.33). In animals exposed to lead, ALAD activity decreased as lead dose increased.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Study of immunoglobulins, proinflammatory cytokines, lymphoproliferation and phagocytosis in peripheral blood of healthy young people exposed to different levels of atmospheric pollution].

BACKGROUND: Urban environmental pollutants, resulting from the inadequate control in the industries and from the use of vehicles, still represent a great danger for millions of people all around the world. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We made a study in healthy young people without family history of atopy that lived in Guadalajara's downtown, as well as in another group of young people who lived in a rural area. According to the census of the year 2000, Guadalajara city has a population of 4 million habitants, and a vehicle number of about a million. The immunological parameters that we studied were: IgG, IgA and IgM immunoglobulins by nephelometry, serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1alpha, IL1-beta and TNF-alpha by ELISAs test, and the phagocytic index in polymorphonuclears. The atmospheric parameters were: NO2, O3, SO2, CO and the suspended particles that were less than 10 micrometers (PM10). These parameters were obtained from a mobile unit found at the Instituto de Astronomia y Meteorología de la Universidad de Guadalajara, and from an automatic station of environmental monitoring. RESULTS: It stands out the high concentrations of NO2 and PM10, which in several occasions were over the standards established by the WHO. IgG, IgA and IgM immunoglobulins were lower in the subjects living in the city that in those who lived in the rural area. Phagocytic index in polymorphonuclears, as well as IL-1alpha levels were higher in the city group, though we did not find a significant difference in the immunological parameters analyzed in the studied groups. CONCLUSION: Environmental pollution levels found at Guadalajara's downtown does not modify the immunological parameters studied in the peripheral blood of healthy young people. This shows that this group of population is less vulnerable than others to the exposition of moderate levels of urban air pollution.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Stress proteins as molecular biomarkers for environmental toxicology.

Biomarkers are increasingly being used in environmental monitoring to provide evidence that organisms have been exposed to, or affected by, xenobiotic chemicals. Usually, these biomarkers rely on biochemical, histological, morphological, and physiological changes in whole organisms; however, changes at the cellular and molecular levels of organization, especially in nucleic acids and proteins, are increasingly being used to supplement these more traditional biomarkers. This chapter starts by giving a brief overview of biomarkers and some of the basic requirements for their effective use. Then stress-inducible proteins that are potentially useful as environmental biomarkers are explored, and some examples of their application as biomarkers and methods of detecting them are presented.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed1999

Indoor air quality at the Correr Museum, Venice, Italy.

Two multidisciplinary field surveys, one in winter and the other in summer have monitored the indoor microclimate, air pollution, deposition and origin of the suspended particulate matter and microorganisms of the Correr Museum, Venice. In addition, this study was focused to identify the problems caused by the heating and air conditioning system (HAC) and the effects due to the presence of carpets. Heating and air conditioning systems (HACs), when chiefly designed for human welfare, are not suitable for conservation and can cause dangerous temperature and humidity fluctuations. Improvements at the Correr Museum have been achieved with the assistance of environmental monitoring. The carpet has a negative influence as it retains particles and bacteria which are resuspended each time people walk on it. The indoor/outdoor pollutants ratio is greater in the summertime, when doors and windows are more frequently open to allow for better ventilation, illustrating that this ratio is mainly governed by the free exchange of the air masses. The chemical composition, size and origin of the suspended particulate matter have been identified, as well as the bacteria potentially dangerous to the paintings. Some general suggestions for improving indoor air quality are reported in the conclusions.

Aerosols↗