Relations between PM10 composition and cell toxicity: a multivariate and graphical approach

Previous studies have used particle mass and size as metrics to link airborne particles with deleterious health effects. Recent evidence suggests that particle composition can play an important role in PM-toxicity; however, little is known about the specific participation of components (individually or acting in groups) present in such a complex mixture that accounts for toxicity. This work explores relationships among PM(10) components in order to identify their covariant structure and how they vary in three sites in Mexico City. Relationships between PM(10) with cell toxicity and geographical location were also explored. PM(10) was analyzed for elemental composition, organic and elemental carbon, endotoxins and the induction of inhibition of cell proliferation, IL-6, TNFalpha and p53. PM(10) variables were evaluated with principal component analysis and one-way ANOVA. The inhibition of cell proliferation, IL-6 and TNFalpha were evaluated with factorial ANOVA and p53 with the Welch test. The results indicate that there is heterogeneity in particle mass, composition and toxicity in samples collected at different sites. Multivariate analysis identified three major groups: (1) S/K/Ca/Ti/Mn/Fe/Zn/Pb; (2) Cl/Cr/Ni/Cu; and (3) endotoxins, organic and elemental carbon. Groups 1 and 3 showed significant differences among sites. Factorial ANOVA modeling indicated that cell proliferation was affected by PM concentration; TNFalpha and IL-6 by the interaction of concentration and site, and p53 was different by site. Radial plots suggest the existence of complex interactions between components, resulting in characteristic patterns of toxicity by site. We conclude that interactions of PM(10) components determine specific cellular outcomes.     

The effect of anaerobic digestion and storage on indicator microorganisms in swine and dairy manure

The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate the influence of anaerobic digestion and storage on indicator microorganisms in swine and dairy excreta. Samples were collected every 90 days for 15 months at eight farms, four pig, and four dairy farms, four of them having a biogas plant. Moreover, to evaluate storage effects on samples, 20 l of manure and slurry taken at each farm (digested manure only in farms with a biogas plant) were stored in a controlled climatic chamber at 18 °C, for 6 months. The bacterial load and the chemical-physical characteristics of excreta were evaluated at each sampling time, stored slurry, and manure were sampled and analyzed every 2 months. A high variability of the concentration of bacteria in the different excreta types was observed during the experiment, mainly depending on the type and time of treatment. No sample revealed either the presence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 or of Salmonella, usually linked to the temporary rearing of infected animals in facilities. Anaerobic digestion and storage affected in a significant way the reduction of indicator bacteria like lactobacilli, coliforms, and streptococci. Anaerobic digestion lowered coliforms in pig slurry (? 2.80 log, P < 0.05), streptococci in dairy manure (? 2.44 log, P < 0.001) and in pig slurry (? 1.43 log, P < 0.05), and lactobacilli in pig slurry (? 3.03 log, P < 0.05). Storage lowered coliforms and the other indicators counts, in particular in fresh wastes, while clostridia did not show a reduction in concentration.     

PCBs and HCHs in a salt-marsh sediment record from South-Central Chile: use of tsunami signatures and 137Cs fallout as temporal markers

This paper documents the occurrence of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) deposition inferred from a sedimentary record exposed in a salt-marsh trench in South-Central Chile. Sediments were carefully collected every 1 cm from the trench wall. The samples were analyzed for PCBs, HCHs, 137Cs, organic carbon and grain size. The 137Cs fallout and the sedimentary signature left by the 1960 Chilean tsunami were used as temporal markers to estimate the stratigraphic chronology and the sedimentation rates. PCBs were quantified by gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC-ECD), and positive samples were confirmed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry detection (GC-MS). Based on these results, PCBs and HCHs deposition over the last 40 years was estimated. No PCBs were detected below the tsunami signature. Total concentrations ranged from undetectable (ND) to 32 ng/g d.w. for PCBs and from undetectable (ND) to 1.29 ng/g d.w. for HCHs. The highest PCB concentrations were found in the upper 7 cm of the core. Even though PCBs were banned in 1982 as electrical fluids in Chile, total estimated PCB fluxes have increased approximately 20 times during the last 40 years: from undetectable values to 102.6 ng/cm2/year, reflecting that PCBs are still in use and being released into the environment.     

Reconstructed mass-spectrometric pattern for characterization of carbon compounds in smoker's lung in situ

BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoke is a major anthropogenic pollutant and contributes to the permanent load of ambient particulate matter in the air, particularly indoors. It is the leading risk factor for premature loss of life due to chronic bronchitis, emphysema and lung cancer. Smoker's lung and graphite pneumoconiosis are pathological states characterized by the deposition of carbonaceous particles. METHODS: Mass spectrometry was used to evaluate unstained lung sections obtained in vivo from a heavy smoker and a patient with occupationally acquired graphite pneumoconiosis. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The composition of carbon compounds deposited in lung tissue samples is demonstrated here for the first time. Thirty carbonaceous-containing microareas from ten biopsies (three areas per biopsy) of lung tissues were analyzed mass-spectrometrically. In each case, the samples were taken from a smoker's lung or those demonstrating a graphite pneumoconiosis. The lung-tissue samples were selected by light microscopy before they were evaporated for mass spectrometry. First-order criteria were anionic and cationic mass peaks which occur within the mass patterns in lung tissues of smoker's lung, although not in graphite pneumoconiosis. Second-order criteria were mass peaks from smoker's lung with standard deviations SD < or = 14% of the mean value. First and second-order mass peaks matched the mass peaks of experimental cigarette-smoke condensate in 9 out of 11 peaks. A software program was developed that enabled fast, automated recognition of the typical mass peaks, and thereby confirmed the histological diagnosis of smoker's lung. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of carbonaceous particles within lung biopsies from a heavy smoker corresponded to the spectra of tobacco condensate and not to the investigated biopsies of graphite peneumoconiosis. RECOMMENDATION AND OUTLOOK: The analyses were performed in order to find out whether mass-spectrometric criteria exist for the differentiation of carbonaceous lung-tissue deposits. Mass spectrometry may be a valuable tool in determining the composition of carbon compounds deposited in human lung tissue. So far, qualitative assessment of the composition of deposits in lung tissue is only possible after the patient is deceased (autopsy).     

PGD for monogenic disorders: aspects of molecular biology

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for monogenic diseases has known a considerable evolution since its first application in the early 1990s. Especially the technical aspects of the genetic diagnosis itself, the single-cell genetic analysis, has constantly evolved to reach levels of accuracy and efficiency nearing those of genetic diagnosis on regular DNA samples. In this review, we will focus on the molecular biological techniques that are currently in use in the most advanced centers for PGD for monogenic disorders, including multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and post-PCR diagnostic methods, whole genome amplification (WGA) and multiple displacement amplification (MDA). As it becomes more and more clear that when it comes to ethically difficult indications, PGD goes further than prenatal diagnosis (PND), we will also briefly discuss ethical issues. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of zeolite from Italian coal fly ash: Differences in crystallization temperature using seawater instead of distilled water

In this study Italian coal fly ash was converted into several types of zeolite in laboratory experiments with temperatures of crystallization ranging from 35 up to 90 °C. Distilled and seawater were used during the hydrothermal synthesis process in separate experiments, after a pre-treatment fusion with NaOH.The results indicate that zeolites could be formed from different kind of Italian coal fly ash at low temperature of crystallization using both distilled and seawater. SEM data and the powder patterns of X-ray diffraction analysis show that faujasite, zeolite ZK-5 and sodalite were synthesized when using both distilled and seawater; zeolite A crystallized only using distilled water. In particular the experiments indicate that the synthesis of zeolite X and zeolite ZK-5 takes place at lower temperatures when using seawater (35 and 45 °C, respectively). The formation of sodalite is always competitive with zeolite X which shows a metastable behaviour at higher temperatures (70–90 °C).The chemical composition of the fly ash source could be responsible of the differences on the starting time of synthesized zeolite with distilled water, in any case our data show that the formation of specific zeolites takes place always at lower temperatures when using seawater.     

Retrospective analysis of spatial and temporal variability of chlorophyll-a in the Curonian Lagoon

The Curonian Lagoon, the largest in Europe (total surface area 1584?km²), is located in the southern part of the Baltic Sea, from which it is separated by a narrow sand bar and to which it is connected by the Klaipeda Straits. It is characterised by shallow eutrophic waters (mean depth 3.8?m) with average low salinity (<5??) due to the nutrient-rich freshwaters discharged by the river Nemunas. Cyanobacteria blooms, including species producing toxic metabolites, have been a frequent phenomenon in summer. In this study a series of MERIS Full Resolution (FR) satellite images acquired between 2004 and 2009 during summer periods were used to assess the temporal evolution and spatial variability of the lagoon water quality in terms of chlorophyll-a. The models/algorithms were calibrated/validated with field data collected in 2009, based on in situ radiometric (remote sensing reflectance -Rrs-) and limnological (chlorophyll-a concentrations -chl-a-) measurements. The chl-a concentrations were estimated by developing a semi-empirical band ratio (Rrs(708)/Rrs(664)) equation applied to MERIS images after correction for atmospheric effects with the 6S code. Results from this study suggest elevated spatial and temporal variability of chl-a. Spatial variability probably arises from the mosaic of situations within the Curonian lagoon in terms of bottom sediment features, nutrient availability in the water column, water depth and hydrodynamics. Temporal variability is probably linked to complex and interplaying metereological and environmental constraints such as the length of the ice cover period, average water temperatures, wind-induced sediment re-suspension, the pattern of precipitations and river-associated nutrient transport to the lagoon. This study stresses the importance of remote sensing as a valid tool for long-term whole ecosystem studies. The preliminary results need more through analyses and intersection with other environmental data in order to better comprehend algal bloom determinants in complex and extremely dynamic systems such as coastal lagoons.