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PubMed2002

Development and evaluation of an immunoassay for biological monitoring chlorophenols in urine as potential indicators of occupational exposure.

Trichlorophenols (TCP) eliminated by the urine can be considered as potential biomarkers of exposure of many chemicals (chlorophenols, chlorophenoxy acid herbicides, prochloraz, lindane, hexachlorobenzene, etc). High-throughput screening methods are necessary to carry out efficient monitoring programs that may help to prevent certain occupational health diseases. For this purpose, an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for 2,4,6-trichlorophenol detection has been developed using polyclonal antisera raised against 3-(3-hydroxy-2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)propanoic acid (hapten 5) covalently coupled by the mixed anhydride (MA) method to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). The indirect ELISA uses a heterologous coating antigen prepared by conjugation of 3-(2-hydroxy-3,6-dichlorophenyl)propanoic acid (hapten 4) to bovine serum albumin (BSA) using the active ester (AE) method. The optimum hapten density for the coating antigen was found to be 3 mol of hapten/mol of protein. The assay shows a limit of detection of 0.245 +/- 0.116 microg L(-1), and it is performed on 96-well microtiter plates in about 1.5 h. The ELISA reported recognizes on a much less extent other chlorinated phenols, such as 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol (2,3,4,6-TtCP, 21%), 2,4,5-TCP (12%) and 2,3,5-TCP (15%); however, brominated phenols (BP) are even more recognized than the corresponding chlorinated analogues (ex. 2,4,6-TBP, 710%; 2,4-DBP, 119%). With the aim of finding an explanation for this behavior, theoretical calculations have been performed for those and other halogenated phenols (2,4,6-triiodophenol and 2,4,6-trifluorophenol) to clarify which physicochemical parameter can explain better the recognition pattern observed. Finally, the assay has been adapted to the analysis of urine samples. The studies have shown that a limit of detection of 1 microg L(-1) can be accomplished on this biological matrix by combining the ELISA procedure with a C18 solid-phase extraction method.

Chlorophenols↗
PubMed2003

Competitive quenching fluorescence immunoassay for chlorophenols based on laser-induced fluorescence detection in microdroplets.

An improved biomonitoring system for the analysis of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) in urine samples has been developed. The principle of the biosensor device is the detection of laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) in single microdroplets by a homogeneous quenching fluorescence immunoassay (QFIA). The competitive immunoassay occurs in microdroplets (d = 58,4 microm) produced by a piezoelectric generator system with 10-microm-diameter orifice. A continuous Ar ion laser (488 nm) excites the fluorescent tracer; its fluorescence is detected by a spectrometer attached to a 512 x 512 cooled, charge-coupled device camera. Fluorescence is quenched by specific binding of TCP polyclonal antibodies to the fluorescent tracer (hapten A-fluorescein); the quenching effect is diminished by the presence of the analyte. Thus, an increase in the signal is produced in a positive dose-dependent manner when TCP is present in the sample. In 10 mM PBS buffer, the IC50 of the LIF-microdroplet QFIA is 0.45 microg L(-1) reaching a LOD of 0.04 microg L(-1). The QFIA with the same reagents performed in microtiter plate format achieved a LOD of 0.36 microg L(-1) in buffer solution. Performance in human urine was similar to that observed in the buffer. A LOD of 1.6 ,g L(-1), with a dynamic range between 4 and 149.5 microg L(-1) in urine, was obtained without any sample treatment other than dilution with the assay buffer. The detectability achieved is sufficient for occupational exposure risk assessment.

Binding, Competitive↗
PubMed1990

N-methyl-D-aspartate/phencyclidine receptor complex of rat forebrain: purification and biochemical characterization.

The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)/phencyclidine (PCP) receptor from rat forebrain was solubilized with sodium cholate and purified by affinity chromatography on amino-PCP-agarose. A 3700-fold purification was achieved. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate and dithiothreitol revealed four major bands of Mr 67,000, 57,000, 46,000, and 33,000. [3H]Azido-PCP was irreversibly incorporated into each of these bands after UV irradiation. The dissociation constant (Kd) of [1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl]piperidine [( 3H]TCP) binding to the purified NMDA/PCP receptor was 120 nM. The maximum specific binding (Bmax) for [3H]TCP binding was 3.3 nmol/mg of protein. The pharmacological profile of the purified receptor complex was similar to that of the membranal and soluble receptors. The binding of [3H]TCP to the purified receptor was modulated by the NMDA receptor ligands glutamate, glycine, and NMDA.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Degradation of chlorpyrifos in aqueous chlorine solutions: pathways, kinetics, and modeling.

Chlorpyrifos (CP) was used as a model compound to develop experimental methods and prototype modeling tools to forecast the fate of organophosphate (OP) pesticides under drinking water treatment conditions. CP was found to rapidly oxidize to chlorpyrifos oxon (CPO) in the presence of free chlorine. The primary oxidant is hypochlorous acid (HOCl), kr = 1.72 (+/-0.68) x 10(6) M(-1)h(-1). Thus, oxidation is more rapid at lower pH (i.e., below the pKa of HOCl at 7.5). At elevated pH, both CP and CPO are susceptible to alkaline hydrolysis and degrade to 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCP), a stable end product. Furthermore, hydrolysis of both CP and CPO to TCP was shown to be accelerated in the presence of free chlorine by OCl-, kOCl,CP = 990 (+/-200) M(-1)h(-1) and kOCl,CPO = 1340 (+/-110) M(-1)h(-1). These observations regarding oxidation and hydrolysis are relevant to common drinking water disinfection processes. In this work, intrinsic rate coefficients for these processes were determined, and a simple mechanistic model was developed that accurately predicts the temporal concentrations of CP, CPO, and TCP as a function of pH, chlorine dose, and CP concentration.

Chlorine↗
PubMed1994

Identification, synthesis, and characterization of a unique class of N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonists. The 6,11-ethanobenzo[b]quinolizinium cation.

A series of novel N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonists acting at the phencyclidine site has been identified. Compound 2 has a Ki = 8 +/- 1 nM (vs [3H]thienylcyclidine, [3H]TCP) as a mixture of enantiomers. Resolution and further testing indicate that (-)-2, Ki = 4 +/- 0.7 nM, is a potent and selective TCP site ligand with neuroprotective activity in cultured neurons in the presence of excitotoxic concentrations of NMDA (IC50 = 26 nM). Compound (-)-2 is > 1000-fold selective for the TCP site vs a panel of receptor types including opiate, adrenergic, serotonergic, dopamine, adenosine, dihydropyridine, and benzodiazepine and displays increased selectivity for the activated (open) NMDA receptor-ion channel complex vs PCP and MK801 as measured by patch recordings in cultured, voltage-clamped neurons. Highly enhanced "open-channel" selectivity leads to tentative classification of these ligands as uncompetitive vs NMDA. Ligands with these characteristics may enable deconvolution of the pharmacologic effects associated with typical noncompetitive NMDA antagonists. We report here on the identification, synthesis, and activity of compounds of this structural class.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Synthesis and evaluation of 3-substituted 17-methylmorphinan analogs as potential anticonvulsant agents.

Dextromethorphan (1,(+)-3-methoxy-17-methylmorphinan) demonstrates anticonvulsant activity in a variety of in vitro and in vivo models of convulsive action. It is well known that 1 is metabolized to its phenolic derivative dextrorphan (2) and this metabolite is also a potent anticonvulsant. A series of (+)-3-substituted-17-methylmorphinans, which are structurally similar to 1 but are either not expected to be metabolized to 2 or might do so at a reduced rate, as compared to 1, were prepared. Three analogs, 5 ((+)-3-amino-17-methylmorphinan), 14 ((+)-3-ethoxy-17-methylmorphinan), and 15 ((+)-3-(2-propoxy)-17-methylmorphinan) were found to possess potent anticonvulsant activity with full efficacy (ED50 25, 5.6, and 3.9 mg/kg, sc, respectively) in the rat supramaximal electroshock (MES) test. Binding potencies of these compounds to receptor sites labeled with [3H]dextromethorphan ([3H]1), in rat brain and guinea pig brain subcellular fractions, and [3H]thienylcyclohexylpiperidine (TCP) and [3H]glycine in rat brain, were determined. Most of the analogs displaced [3H]1 from its binding sites, with compounds 14 (IC50 0.42 microM) and 15 (IC50 0.88 microM) having equivalent potencies to 1 (IC50 0.59 microM), in rat brain, and no appreciable activity at the [3H]TCP or [3H]glycine-labeled sites. Compound 5 did not bind with appreciable activity to the [3H]1 site, in rat brain, but did bind to the [3H]TCP site with lower potency than the parent 1 (IC50 7.8 and 2.0 microM, respectively). The mechanism of anticonvulsant action of these agents is not clear although it appears that interaction at the [3H]1 sites may be involved.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

An approach to rapid estimation of relative binding affinities of enzyme inhibitors: application to peptidomimetic inhibitors of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 protease.

This report describes a method for rapid assessment of the binding affinities of a series of analogous ligands to an enzyme. This approach is based on two variables (scores), representing (i) the enthalpy of binding and (ii) the strength of hydrophobic interaction. The method is then used to evaluate the binding of 11 different peptidomimetic inhibitors to the HIV-1 protease. Three-dimensional structures of these enzyme-inhibitor complexes are modeled based on the crystal structures of HIV-1 protease complexes with the known inhibitors. These structures are minimized using the AMBER force field, and the scores of binding enthalpy for each of the ligands are calculated. A second score to represent the hydrophobic interaction between a pair of atoms uses an exponential function of distance between the atoms and the product of their atomic hydrophobicity constants. This exponential function is used to assess the hydrophobic interaction energy between an enzyme and its inhibitor and also to compute and display a 'molecular hydrophobicity map' as a 3D visualization tool. These methods are then applied to obtain trends in relative binding affinities of pairs of analogous inhibitors. Calculated scores agree well with corresponding results from thermodynamic cycle perturbation (TCP) simulations as well as experimental binding data. Since the proposed calculations are computationally cheaper and faster than TCP calculations, it is suggested that these scores can form the basis for rapid, preliminary theoretical screening of proposed derivatives of an inhibitor prior to TCP analysis, synthesis, and testing.

HIV Protease↗
PubMed2002

Biological monitoring of 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (II): evaluation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the analysis of water, urine, and serum samples.

Chlorophenols are frequently found in the urine of the population as consequence of the widespread use of chlorophenols and other organochlorinated compounds. An immunoassay for 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (2,4,5-TCP) has been evaluated as a tool to assess risk exposure of the population to these substances. The immunoassay is stable in media with pH values ranging from 6.6 to 10.5 units and ionic strength values varying within 20 and 80 mS cm(-)(1). Considering these parameters, the optimized immunoassay shows a limit of detection of 0.05 microg L(-)(1) and the dynamic range is placed between 0.09 and 0.72 microg L(-)(1). It shows a good accuracy and the coefficients of variation within and between assays are around 12% or lower. However, matrix effects can diminish the efficiency and detectability of the immunochemical methods. In this paper, the effect of water and complex biological sample matrices, such as serum and urine, on the immunoassay for 2,4,5-TCP has been evaluated. Simple sample treatment procedures have been developed for the analysis of these matrices. The final analytical protocols allow straightforward immunochemical determination of 2,4,5-TCP in natural waters, urine, and serum with detection limits of 0.07, 0.26, and 0.8 microg L(-)(1), respectively.

Binding, Competitive↗
PubMed2000

Altered transarcolemmal Ca transport modifies the myofibrillar ultrastructure and protein metabolism in cultured adult ventricular cardiomyocytes.

The present study was designed to investigate how prolonged (24-72 h) exposure to modifiers of Ca transarcolemmal transport affects the myofibrillar structure, protein turnover and content of myofibrillar proteins in adult guinea pig cardiomyocytes maintained beating synchronously in long-term cultures. First we established the functional responses (the contractile activity and [Ca]i transients) of the cultured myocytes to acute exposures to several drugs used in this study. The ultrastructural characteristics of these cultures under the various treatments were determined using immunohistochemistry and confocal scanning laser microscopy, and their biochemical properties were evaluated using analysis of total cellular protein content, myofibrillar protein content and SDS-PAGE electrophoretic examination. We compared the effects of 24, 36 and 72 h-long exposures to the various specific Ca-flux modifiers. Increased Ca influx via CaL-channel agonist (Bay K 8644) or via the reversed-mode of the Na/Ca exchanger (veratrine) did not alter the myofibrillar structure or the specific protein profiles or proteosynthesis. However, when cytosolic Ca was increased by three different types of inhibitors of Ca extrusion from the cells via Na/Ca exchange, (Na-free solution, 5 mM NiCl2 and 10(-6) M ouabain), very significant changes in all investigated parameters occurred almost immediately. Twenty-four h-long exposure to Na-free did not affect significantly the total cellular protein (TCP), but the protein synthesis was decreased by 87% and the total myofibrillar protein (TMP) content was decreased by 38%. The myofibrils were heavily fragmented. Similarly, 24 h-long exposure to 5 mM NiCl2 did not affect the TCP, but it reduced protein synthesis by about 90% and decreased the total myofibrillar protein content by 30%. These effects were even more pronounced at 72 h of exposure and they were accompanied with a complete disassembly of myofilaments. Exposure to 10(-6) M ouabain over 72 h resulted in > 80% inhibition of protein synthesis, a 45% decrease in TCP content and a 53% in TMP content. In contrast, 10(-7) M ouabain did not produce any such changes. The changes produced by the Na/Ca-exchange inhibitors were accompanied by only minor changes in DNA content, indicating that the myocytes remained viable. Moreover, these effects were not due to the associated contractile arrest, since exposure to CaL-channel antagonists (5-20 microM nifedipine or 10 microM verapamil) produced only very minor changes in the myofibrillar structure and in protein profiles. Our data demonstrate that short-term (up to 72 h) increased Ca influx or contractile arrest of well-interconnected, spontaneously beating adult cardiomyocytes does not affect their ultrastructural characteristics or their myofibrillar protein turnover greatly, while any situations leading to Ca accumulation (via inhibition of Na/Ca exchange) affect cardiomyocyte function and ultrastructure almost immediately. These data are in sharp contrast to those previously reported from immature, neonatal myocytes.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Characterization of the transformation from calcium-deficient apatite to beta-tricalcium phosphate.

The structural changes that occur during the transformation of a Ca-deficient apatite, prepared by a wet chemical method, to beta-TCp were investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of as-prepared samples and samples calcined at temperatures between 500 and 1100 degrees C showed that the transformation occurs over the temperature range 710-740 degrees C, under non-equilibrium conditions. The change in crystallite size with increasing calcination/sintering temperature was studied by XRD using the Scherrer formula. Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) analysis indicated considerable structural change in samples above and below this temperature range. Changes were observed in the hydroxyl, carbonate and phosphate bands as the calcination temperature was increased from 500 to 1100 degrees C. Even once a single beta-TCP phase is obtained at 740 degrees C there remains a considerable amount of structural change at temperatures between 740 and 1100 degrees C. This effect was illustrated by an unusual change in the lattice parameters of the beta-TCP structure and significant changes in the phosphate bands of FTIR spectra as the calcination temperature was increased. The results obtained in this study show that the combined experimental techniques of XRD and FTIR are excellent complimentary methods for characterizing structural changes that occur during phase transformations.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Characterization of the transformation from calcium-deficient apatite to beta-tricalcium phosphate.

The structural changes that occur during the transformation of a Ca-deficient apatite, prepared by a wet chemical method, to beta-TCP were investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of as-prepared samples and samples calcined at temperatures between 500 and 1100 degrees C showed that the transformation occurs over the temperature range 710-740 degrees C, under non-equilibrium conditions. The change in crystallite size with increasing calcination/sintering temperature was studied by XRD using the Scherrer formula. Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) analysis indicated considerable structural change in samples above and below this temperature range. Changes were observed in the hydroxyl, carbonate and phosphate bands as the calcination temperature was increased from 500 to 1100 degrees C. Even once a single beta-TCP phase is obtained at 740 degrees C there remains a considerable amount of structural change at temperatures between 740 and 1100 degrees C. This effect was illustrated by an unusual change in the lattice parameters of the beta-TCP structure and significant changes in the phosphate bands of the FTIR spectra as the calcination temperature was increased. The results obtained in this study show that the combined experimental techniques of XRD and FTIR are excellent complimentary methods for characterizing structural changes that occur during phase transformations.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Treatment of tooth fracture by medium energy CO2 laser and DP-bioactive glass paste: thermal behavior and phase transformation of human tooth enamel and dentin after irradiation by CO2 laser.

Acute trauma or trauma associated with occlusal disharmony can produce tooth crack or fracture. Although several methods are proposed to treat the defect, however, the prognosis is generally poor. If the fusion of a tooth fracture by laser is possible it will offer an alternative to extraction or at least serve as an adjunctive treatment in the reconstruction. The responses of soft tissues to lasers of different wavelengths are fairly well known, but the reactions of hard tissues are still to be understood. The purpose of this research was to study the feasibility of using a medium energy continuous-wave CO(2) laser and a low melting-point bioactive glass to fuse or bridge tooth fractures. The present report is focused on the first part of the research, the analysis of changes in laser-irradiated human tooth enamel/dentin by means of X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier-transforming infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential thermal analysis/thermogravimetric analysis (DTA/TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After CO(2) laser irradiation, there were no marked changes in the X-ray diffraction pattern of the enamel when compared to that before laser treatment. However, a small peak belonging to alpha-TCP appeared at the position of 2theta=30.78 degrees C. After being treated with CO(2) laser, the dentin showed much sharper peaks on the diffraction patterns because of grain growth and better crystallinity. alpha-TCP and beta-TCP were identified after laser treatment. In the FTIR analysis, an HPO(4)(-2) absorption band was noted before laser treatment disappeared after the irradiation. No significant change in the absorption band of HPO(4)(-2) was found on the FTIR curves of enamel after laser treatment. The results of DTA/TGA indicated that loss of water and organic materials occurred in both enamel and dentin after laser treatment. Under SEM, melting and resolidification occurred in both enamel and dentin by medium energy of CO(2) laser. This implies that using a continuous-wave CO(2) laser of medium energy density to fuse a low melting-point bioactive glass to the enamel/dentin is possible. We believe these phase changes and thermal data can make a useful guide for future studies on the thermal interaction and bridging mechanism between the bioactive glass and enamel/dentin under CO(2) laser irradiation.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Influence of surface microstructure on the reaction of the active ceramics in vivo.

When porosity and macro-pore size differ in the same ceramic, the mode of bone regeneration and the degradation of ceramics in vivo is said to be different. However, the reactions in vivo of ceramics that have a different microstructure with the same porosity and the same macro-pore size, are not so far known. In this study, two kinds of beta-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) that had different microstructures but the same porosity and macro-pore size, were manufactured. These TCP were implanted in the distal femurs of 20 mature male rabbits, and their respective areas of ceramics and of regenerated bone were measured after 4, 12 and 24 wk. In both TCPs, the regenerated bone similarly decreased from 4-24 wk in a different way. The area of ceramics in one of these TCPs significantly decreased gradually throughout the observation period. On the other hand, the other TCP showed no marked decrease during the same period. This suggested a possibility that the difference in micro-structure has a large effect on the reaction of the ceramics in the bone.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Histomorphological, histomorphometrical and biomechanical analysis of ceramic bone substitutes in a weight-bearing animal model.

It was the purpose of this investigation to prove the biomechanical properties, the osteoconductive capacity and the degradation rate of alpha tricalcium phosphate (alpha TCP), a neutralized glass ceramics (GB9N) and a composite material (GB9N+copolymers). In a weight-bearing animal model six substitutes each were implanted in the medial tibial head of the right lower leg of adult Merino-sheep in a standardized surgical technique. After nine months the implants were harvested and prepared for histomorphological and histomorphometrical investigations (undecalcified Masson Goldner staining). For additional biomechanical testing of the specimens, non-operated bone blocks from the contralateral tibia as well as native implants served as controls. No significant differences for the maximum fracture load as well as for the yield strength were detected between harvested specimens and bone blocks from the contralateral tibia. However there were marked differences to ceramics that were not implanted. All substitutes showed osteoconduction, leading to a continuous ingrowth of new formed bone. However in the composite material soft tissue could be identified within the scaffold and there were signs of ongoing bone remodeling, nine months after implantation. The bone per tissue volume of alpha-TCP in conjunction to new bone (=percentage of trabecular bone volume plus percentage of residual substitute) was higher than for GB9N and the composite material. Nine months after implantation the percentage of residual alpha-TCP was 48%, it was 32% for GB9N and 28% for the composite. The intention of further studies should be to accelerate the degradation rates of substitutes and to improve biomechanical properties of implants by either modifying the chemical composition or combining materials with agents as, e.g. growth factors.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Preparation and characterization of magnesium/carbonate co-substituted hydroxyapatites.

A new synthesis/processing method has been devised to produce magnesium/carbonate co-substituted hydroxyapatite ceramics that do not decompose to tricalcium phosphate (TCP) on sintering. Using this method, a series of magnesium/carbonate co-substituted hydroxyapatite (Mg/CO(3)-HA) compositions, containing between 0 and 0.35 wt % Mg and approximately 0.9 wt % CO(3) were prepared. Sintering the Mg/CO(3)-HA compositions in a CO(2)/H(2)O atmosphere yields a single crystalline phase that appears to be identical to stoichiometric HA. In contrast, when the compositions were prepared in the absence of carbonate and were sintered in air, the phase composition was a biphasic mixture of HA and TCP e.g. for 0.25 wt % Mg substitution the phase composition was approximately 60%HA/40% TCP. Clearly, both the synthesis route and the processing (i.e. sintering) route are of importance in the production of a single-phase Mg/CO(3)-HA ceramic. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy has indicated that the Mg/CO(3)-HA ceramics still contained carbonate groups after sintering at 1200 degrees C. Chemical analysis by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) and C-H-N analysis has shown that the cation/anion molar ratio (i.e. [Ca+Mg]/[P+C/2]) of the different compositions were 1.68(+/-0.01), which is equivalent to the Ca/P molar ratio of stoichiometric HA. Although the magnesium/carbonate co-substitution had a positive effect in preventing phase decomposition during sintering, it appeared to have a negative effect on the densification of the MgCO(3)-HA ceramics, compared to stoichiometric HA.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Manufacture of biomaterials by a novel printing process.

Tricalcium phosphate (TCP) scaffolds with controlled internal porosity were fabricated with a suspension of TCP in diacrylate cross-linking monomers using a mold prepared by ink-jet printing. Scaffolds were removed by selective dissolution of the mold. They were heat treated for removal of the acrylic binder followed by sintering. Despite a considerable linear shrinkage, scaffold porosity was retained after sintering. Composite scaffolds were fabricated from TCP in poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate using an identical gel casting route.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Quality and cost between transcervical and transurethral prostatectomy.

UNLABELLED: Although transurethral resection of the benign prostate (TURP) is a popular technique, it is not without problems. The average postoperative morbidity could be up to 50%. Therefore the quality of life and the total cost have been evaluated in this study, since the incidence of re-TURP was reported to be as high as 25% in 8 years period. This was attributable to incomplete resection, in that only about 40% of the prostatic tissue being resected by this technique. In contrast, transcervical prostatectomy (TCP) performs a total enucleation of the gland. It seems to be cost effective, in that the postoperative urethral catheter is removed routinely on the second day and the patients are discharged home on the fourth day routinely. The total incidence of morbidity, by contrast, was less than 5% and that of mortality under 1%. The initial cost for the primary operation would not be much difference between the these two techniques, but the average cumulative cost per TURP would be expensive, if all the expenses incurred for the treatment of postoperative complications are added together. It would be between pounds sterling 2574.00 and pounds sterling 2434.00, for the primary operation. But the cumulative cost for TURP would be pounds sterling 4333.00 and for TCP pounds sterling 2580.00. The true cost for the operation of TURP could be as high as pounds sterling 10720, compared to pounds sterling 2434.00, being the operation charge for TCP, if all expenses have to be paid by the patient. CONCLUSION: Transcervical Prostatectomy compares favourably with TURP in every aspect, apart from the skin cut in the lower abdomen.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed2004

Chlorophenol removal from soil suspensions: effects of a specialised microbial inoculum and a degradable analogue.

Two soils of different contamination history were tested in slurry for their self-remediability towards mono-, di- and trisubstituted chlorophenols. The landfill soil showed poor ability in removing the compounds. Instead, the soil from the golf course, treated for many years with a 2,4,6-trichlorophenol derivative (Prochloraz), remediated different concentrations of the same 2,4,6TCP, 2,4-dichlorophenol and monochlorophenol isomers, singly and in mixtures, at varying degradation rates. Ralstonia eutropha TCP, a specialised microorganism capable of degrading 2,4,6TCP, proved highly efficient in removing the compound from both tested soils. The same microbial inoculum allowed total removal of the ternary mixture of monochlorophenol isomers from the golf course soil, but it did not accelerate the removal of the same compounds when singly supplied. The addition of phenol as a degradable analogue was more effective in co-metabolically removing not only the single monochlorophenols, but also their mixtures, the removal occurring faster and independently of the presence of the microbial inoculum. From the golf course soil, a microorganism, phenotypically and genetically identical to R. eutropha TCP, was isolated and classified as R. eutropha TCP II.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗